Amid the crispness of fall’s chill, singer-songwriter Tim McNamee wants to reach people with simple, heartfelt warmth.
There’s no preaching — just songs, from sacred to secular, brats and some food for thought amid casual conversation unfolding in the great outdoors.
That’s the basic idea behind the free and open-to-all events called God, Guitars and a Grill.
Since its launch on Aug. 30, the event has been held (weather permitting) every other weekend at Columbus First Assembly, 2100 10th St. in Columbus. The next meeting is 6 p.m. Sunday.
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The informal, non-threatening surroundings have attracted 30 to 50 people some days, including people from the neighborhood, McNamee said.
McNamee, a church member who operates a rural outreach near Westport for inner-city youth, believes that ministry is wherever you make it. He pastored for 30 years in Indianapolis, mostly mixing with the homeless and the downtrodden.
“My mission now is building relationships with people,” McNamee said. “If you’re going to get anywhere with people, it starts with building relationships. Music does that for people. And our relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere does that.
“So I’ve had people get up and sing who would never, ever dream about singing in front of people in a church.”
McNamee, armed only with an acoustic guitar, includes some of his original tunes from a collection of 75 and growing.
“Most of those come from a place of pain and overcoming,” he said. “Those are just the kind of songs that God has allowed me to write. They come from the heart.”
He hopes to record a disc of some of those originals in November, and openly invites other musicians and singers to join in.
“We didn’t know for sure how all this was going to unfold,” McNamee said. “But it has grown every week.”
Church member and former chef James Toole mans the grill, filling it with everything from hot dogs to corn on the cob. Plus, he’s willing to cook for a guest whatever meat he or she might bring. He said he can see how the get-togethers could grow.
“Anytime there’s food and music involved, people seem to flock to those kind of things,” Toole said.
Plus, Sunday’s event includes an added twist: area artists are invited to bring some of their work to casually display.
Church member and fine artist Randy Bailey believes the timing is right for such get-togethers.
“Nowadays, I think people really are looking for something to do,” Bailey said. “And I definitely think that there’s always room to grow.”
He added that the atmosphere is friendly “and you can feel right at home, and I think that’s very important.”
Another new aspect that might be added is a fire pit, according to McNamee,
“We’ve been thinking of siting around and singing campfire tunes,” he said.
Until then, he’ll sing reworked Chris Stapleton songs, country heartbreak laments and more.
“It doesn’t have to be Christian,” McNamee said, adding that nonbelievers connect more readily to mainstream music. “It just has to be good, clean music.”
On some recent weekends, he has taken his guitar to places such as Mill Race Park and the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza and simply begun to play until he attracts listeners.
“Music is my personal go-to,” he said. “If I’m struggling with life or just about anything, I go to music. And that gets me back on track with God.”
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What: Informal outdoor gatherings called God, Guitars and a Grill, with music, brats and discussions about God and faith.
When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. outdoors every other Sunday, weather permitting. Next one is Sunday.
Where: Columbus First Assembly, 2100 10th St.
Information: Facebook page for Tim McNamee.
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