The Father’s House will be hosting a free Senior’s Breakfast at the Fun House, a new ministry department in the church’s building dedicated to family outreach, from 9-11 a.m on Aug. 14.

Traditional country food will be served and Sharon Wenson & Sunnyside, a band that mixes gospel, country and bluegrass music, will perform at the event.

Pastor Ricky Stepp and Associate Pastor Regina Stepp, his wife, are arranging the senior breakfast and plan to make it a monthly event.

The inspiration to start a senior outreach ministry came from an unusual place, McDonald’s.

Stepp began to notice an abundance of seniors gathered at McDonald’s on Friday mornings to eat and listen to various musicians who showed up each week to play their music.

Stepp teamed up with Mike and Sharon Wenson, members of the band Sharon Wenson & Sunnyside, and decided to host their own breakfast with music for seniors, free of cost. 

The first breakfast was held last month and over 100 seniors showed up.

Although Stepp’s church usually features a more contemporary style of music geared toward attracting the younger generation, The Father’s House is striving to reach the community’s seniors as well.

“We owe them so much for laying the foundation for the great place we live and the good things we have now. We want to return the favor,” explained Stepp.

Not only will the breakfast and music be free, but afterwards, The Fun House will be opened up free of charge for seniors who want to partake in other activities, such as bowling, miniature golf, pool, go-carts and even video games.

Golf carts and wheelchairs will be available to transport seniors in need of assistance to and from the restaurant in the Fun House, which is called The Gathering Place.

For Stepp, hosting a senior breakfast is a way to ensure that the church is a blessing to local people.

“We want to become a community, not just people who gather inside a church building,” said Stepp. 

Keith Davis, manager of the Fun House, said that these breakfasts are just one part of the outreach ministry at The Father’s House.

“The Fun House’s purpose is to be a place that provides people with a family-oriented, wholesome and fun atmosphere. This outreach for seniors is part of an ongoing outreach to the entire community,” explained Davis.

He noted that The Father’s House also hosts a number of other outreach events for troubled youth, the Special Olympics and other families throughout Dawsonville.

Rachelle Thurmond, coordinator of the Senior Center, is enthusiastic about the new program for seniors at The Father’s House.

“It is such a great way for seniors to come together and connect with seniors from all over the county,” said Thurmond.

“It’s free food and music and the opportunity to socialize with friends and new people,” she added.

At the first seniors breakfast, hosted by The Father’s House last month, 22 seniors from the center participated.

This month the center is expecting to bring 25 to 30 seniors to the event.

The Father’s House is not only home to the Fun House, but also to Christ Fellowship and Excellence Academy.

It is located at 139 Hightower Pkwy., Dawsonville.

For more information about The Father’s House or the Senior Breakfast call (706) 216-3248.