Jim Fair
Greer First Baptist provides a safe, family-friendly atmosphere for youth and football fans to engage in fellowship before Greer High home games.
Jim Fair
The tailgating chef in residence is Brian Green. He teaches physical education at Greer High and competes some weekends in the Kansas City Barbecuse Society cookoffs.
Jim Fair
Samantha Stevenson paints Todd Center for the themed red,white and blue student section.
Jim Fair
Greg Garrett's Sunday school class generated the idea for the tailgating ministry. Donations and services are provided gratis from volunteers.
Look for the Greer First Baptist signage on the tailgating tent with youth running around playing and tossing the football. Teens will be lounging in trucks, more than legal limit but the vehicles are parked. And spirited students will be getting face- and body-painted for the night’s game to cheer on the Greer Yellow Jackets.
The adults, they will be serving barbecue, chips, cookies, soft drinks and water and they will are happy to do so.
This is Greer First Baptist’s way to engage in fellowship and provide a safe, family-friendly atmosphere for youth and fans at Greer High School home football games. The setup begins at 5:30 p.m.
“The main thing is it lets people know the church is here and it helps get the word out (about Greer First Baptist),” said Brian Green, the tailgating chef when he’s not teaching physical education at Greer.
Chris Burgess said winning appears to feed the appetite. “I think we have a lot better turnout when we’re winning,” he said. Greer beat Union County 31-28 last week so expectations are for a bigger and happier crowd Friday when Greer plays Greenville.
Green, who caters and competes under the “Kickin’ Pig BBQ” banner, said he cooks the Boston butts the same as he does when competing on the Kansas City Barbecue Society’s circuit. He first prepares the meat with his secret spice rub before cooking it overnight. “Everything is the same, including the sauce (Carolina or Dawg),” Green said.
The idea for the tailgating and providing free food was generated from Greg Garrett’s Sunday school class. Donations for the meat – hot dogs were served for the first game and hamburgers last week – condiments and drinks are from members. First Baptist does not spend money on this ministry.
The idea is working, if food served is a good indicator. They virtually ran out of hot dogs and were almost out of hamburgers nearly 30 minutes before game time last Friday. “We will serve food until we run out,” GFB Pastor Rick Ezell said.