05/23/2026
This past weekend, SPH NYC was invited again to be part of the Ninth Ave Food Festival, an annual tradition that SPH has joined for many years.
There’s something about this time that feels like summer in New York in its fullest form. Music blasting down the block, street food in the air, multilingual conversations happening all at once, kids running around with fresh face paint, and people finding little pockets of rest in the middle of the chaos.
Every year, we show up hoping to share the love of Christ through connection, joy, and community. Through puppet shows, face painting, prayer, and conversations, we got to witness so many meaningful interactions throughout the weekend.
One of the biggest joys this year was watching our volunteer friends, especially our Heartbeat teens, bring to life, once again, the heart of loving and serving NYC. They welcomed people so warmly, prayed boldly, connected with kids and families, and served with so much care.
Our facepainting and puppet times continued to surprise us in the sweetest ways. What starts off as play and laughter often opens the door for deeper conversations, encouragement, prayer, and reminders that people are seen and deeply loved.
One of our favorite parts of the weekend was the little “stoop” vibes that formed in the middle of Ninth Ave. During such a hot weekend, people lingered to rest, talk, laugh, share stories, and simply be together for a while. Old friends stopped by, neighbors came back to visit, and new friends asked for prayer.
We’re so thankful for every volunteer friend who came to help make this weekend happen. From setup to cleanup, from praying with strangers to dancing to “Sonríele” in the middle of the heatwave, every person helped create such a joyful and welcoming space for the community.
Feeling really grateful for every conversation and small moment of connection this weekend. ✨
