In today’s culture, many involved in the church say the majority of churchgoers tend to be women. A church in Chocowinity is hosting an event this weekend to try to change that paradigm, inviting men in the community out for a day of music, worship and fellowship.

The event, 100 Men in Black and White, was designed by Stephen Jones, a deacon at Your Day of Deliverance Ministries-Assembly of God, and Pastor Clara Albritton, as a way to bring more men into the church, and in turn, to God, according to Auradis Corey-Griffin, church administrator. The event’s name is symbolic of bringing area men from darkness — secular thinking — to the light — with a focus on God, Jones said.

Corey-Griffin said there are only about seven men who attend the church, a statistic that prompted brainstorming of how to increase attendance in that demographic.

“It was just an inspired idea,” Corey-Griffin said. “It will be a big fellowship. Hopefully, we’ll get 100 men (to come). It’s just about fellowship. We want to hear what God is doing amongst the men in this community. You see women in church all the time, but sometimes it’s hard to find men (in church). (The event) is really like a statement of men saying, ‘Hey, we go to church, too; we love God, too.’ It’s just a huge fellowship.”

100 Men in Black and White will include music, worship, testimonies and guest speakers, who will talk about what it means to be a man from a Biblical standpoint, according to Jones.

Jones said the church has been conducting other programs to bridge the gap between men and church, such as a sports program that brings fathers and sons together.

“We’re trying to get our men in our church more active in church,” Jones said. “(The event) will hopefully open up some men’s eyes, and hopefully, they’ll step and fulfill their positions more. When we go to church in this day and time, there are a lot of women in church, but the men are few compared to the women. It was one of my hopes and dreams to get 100 men to come in here and hear what God has to say. We’re just going to pray God will make it a memorable service.”

The event will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. and is open to all men in the community.

Your Day of Deliverance Ministries-Assembly of God is located at 169 Whichard’s Beach Road in Chocowinity.