Freedom Church in downtown Grand Forks hosts event with food, friends and fellowship

Mary Johnson could barely get through a sentence without someone coming over to say hello Sunday afternoon.

She and her husband Nathan, pastors at Freedom Church in downtown Grand Forks, held a picnic in Town Square in honor of some pastors leaving the church for other jobs.

"We just thought we'd have a picnic for everybody and provide all the food," Nathan said.

The event was free and open to the public. About 100 people mingled, waited in line or sat at tables with their lunch at 1 p.m.

"We're just so glad the weather was nice," Mary said.

The Johnsons opened Freedom Church in 2008. It is located at the corner of Third Street and DeMers Avenue in downtown Grand Forks and was recently expanded into adjacent space previously occupied by Ojata Records.

1/2: The line for burgers and all the fixings was long Sunday afternoon at a picnic held by Freedom Church at Town Square. Grand Forks Herald photo by Anna Burleson.

2/2: Jeff Sorum manned the grill at a Freedom Church picnic in Town Square Sunday. Grand Forks Herald photo by Anna Burleson.