A group of Lawrence Christians came together Sunday night to celebrate an early Thanksgiving and to unite in their service.

But becoming a public servant for the first time for people in need is like entering uncharted waters, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun told about 700 people who attended the celebration at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

“Without Christ at the center of your life, you can’t serve,” said Ryun, a Republican who represents the 2nd District, which includes the western half of Lawrence.

Ryun, a former Kansas University track star, Olympian and world-record holder, was speaker for the Lawrence Association of Evangelicals Thanksgiving Celebration. The theme was “United to Serve in the Name of Christ.”

Ryun referred to Bible passages and examples in his own life he thought showed the importance and difficulties of serving in the Lord’s name. He specifically recalled experiences building a rapport with some homeless people in the early 1970s.

“That experience taught me a good deal about serving,” Ryun said. “It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s about getting off the pedestal and saying, ‘God, you are in charge.'”

Although this was the first Thanksgiving celebration by the churches, the Rev. Leo Barbee, president of the evangelicals association, said he thought it would be the first of many.

“We wanted to do something that exemplifies the oneness we have in Jesus Christ,” said Barbee, pastor at Victory Bible Church, 1942 Mass.

U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun shows Luke Weese, youth pastor at Clinton Parkway Assembly of God, pictures of his grandchildren. Ryun spoke Sunday night during a Thanksgiving celebration at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. The event was a joint celebration by several churches in the Lawrence Association of Evangelicals.

A special offering also was taken for the benefit of Heartland Medical Clinic, located in the lower level of the Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt. The clinic, established in 1999, is a general family practice offering medical care for those who lack insurance.

Heartland’s minister, the Rev. Paul Gray, announced that the clinic would be moving to 7,000 square feet of renovated space in the Riverfront Mall. He said he expected the move to take place in January.

Gray said he was impressed with the turnout for the first Thanksgiving celebration.

“This is an unbelievable picture of what God is doing in River City,” he said.

Other churches participating were Clinton Parkway Assembly of God, First Christian, Free Methodist, Morning Star, Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, Wesleyan and Christ Covenant.