In search of the lost sheep: Utah churches participate in National Back to Church Sunday

It's been a call for all Christians from the time of Christ to the present to find the Lord's lost sheep while leaving "the ninety and nine."

Five churches along the Wasatch Front are doing just that, thanks to a California-based religious marketing company.

For the second straight year, Outreach Inc., a church marketing company, is encouraging Christian churches nationwide to participate in National Back to Church Sunday on Sept. 12.

More than 2,800 churches have committed to inviting people to church — those who have never been before as well as those who used to attend but, for a variety of reasons, don't anymore.

Outreach officials declined to comment on the event, but a news release on the campaign earlier this week stated that it has surpassed 1.2 million invitations to unchurched people so far. It also stated that more than 3,000 churches have signed up to participate in the event, almost double last year's number.

Seven Utah churches — First Presbyterian, Southeast Baptist, Impact Multicultural Ministries and Lifechurch in Salt Lake, Westminster Presbyterian in Fruit Heights, Mountain Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Park City and Christ Community Church in Clearfield — have officially signed up for the event.

The Rev. Mike Imperiale, pastor of First Presbyterian, says the focus is not only to invite those who have chosen not to have religion in their life, but also to help people realize that going to a church can enhance their busy lives.

"(The Sept. 12 event) really is aimed at anyone who have had some church experience, and for whatever reasons have left religion behind, it's aimed at people who are thinking, 'I may have felt away from God for a time, but maybe it's time for me to return and experience something different.'

"Jesus never said go to church. But he did say love God and love your neighbor. I think going to church helps us do that," the Rev. Imperiale said.

The Rev. Mike Gray, pastor of Southeast Baptist, said the event is a great opportunity to help people get back into the habit of regular worship after crazy summer schedules.

"Usually people are in and out on vacation, and there's a number of people who got out of the habit of going," the Rev. Gray said. "So we just want to reach out and remind people to get back to church and remind the community that they're missing out on what God is trying to do through the church."