Salem Lutheran Church, located at 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, is taking a fresh approach to connecting with the Tomball community through its Nacho Average Sunday event, a day designed to combine faith, fun and fellowship in a way that goes beyond traditional worship.

On Jan. 26, the church invites everyone—whether they’re a part of the congregation or new to the church—to enjoy a laid-back event that blends activities with meaningful conversations.

One of the key highlights of the day is Micah Parker, a nationally known speaker, who will address the theme of trusting God. Parker’s talks will focus on praise trust, or trusting God when life is going well, and adversity trust, which explores how to maintain that trust through life’s challenges.

"This message is especially relevant in today’s world, where many people struggle to trust anything or anyone," Spiritual Formation Pastor Jason Schleicher said. "We hope to offer a fresh perspective that speaks to everyone—whether they're facing challenges or experiencing a season of blessings."

Event details
  • Worship Services: 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
  • Lunch and Activities: Starting at 11:30 a.m., with contests and prizes
  • Parker’s afternoon talk on praise trust: 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Salem Lutheran Church, located at 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball
  • Registration/tickets: no prior registration or tickets are required to attend'


Food, fun and faith

At the heart of Nacho Average Sunday is an open invitation for all to enjoy a free nacho meal, complete with homemade queso and a variety of toppings. It’s not just any nacho bar—Salem's church members are involved in the preparations, adding a personal touch to the meal.

“This event is all about making people feel welcome, and food is a great way to bring people together,” Schleicher said. “We want everyone to experience the joy of sharing a meal in a relaxed, fun environment.”

In addition to the nachos, attendees can look forward to a variety of fun contests, including salsa and cookie making competitions, basketball challenges such as free throw contests, and opportunities to watch basketball games.

Community connection

The event isn’t just about nachos and games. It’s about building relationships and fostering a sense of community.

“Twenty, thirty years ago, going to church was just what people did, but today it’s a different world,” Schleicher said. “Church can feel like just another thing on people’s busy schedules, especially if they don’t have a connection to a congregation.”

Nacho Average Sunday is designed to address that disconnect. By offering a welcoming and enjoyable experience for people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, Salem Lutheran hopes to encourage first-time visitors to return and possibly build deeper connections with the church.

“We want our community to know that we’re not just a place where people sit around and talk about Jesus,” Schleicher said. “We’re here to build relationships, share meals and support one another.”

The event also strengthens ties with local organizations, such as the Alodia Basketball Academy, which rents Salem's gymnasium. By inviting Alodia families to participate, Salem hopes to introduce these guests to the church in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.

“We’re not just trying to fill our pews,” Schleicher added. “We want people to see that we care, not just about numbers, but about their lives.”

Long-term impact

Though Nacho Average Sunday promises a fun-filled day of food, games and inspiring talks, it’s also part of Salem Lutheran’s broader outreach efforts. The church plans to host more events like this throughout the year, with the goal of connecting with new faces in the community.

“Our senior pastor always says we don’t make widgets,” Schleicher said, referring to the church’s commitment to people over programs. “We’re here to connect people to the love of Jesus, and events like this give us a chance to do that in a meaningful way.”

Whether you’re looking for a fun afternoon of basketball, a tasty nacho meal or an opportunity to hear a powerful message about trust, Nacho Average Sunday is an event you won’t want to miss.

“This won’t be the last time we do an event like this,” Schleicher said. “We will continue to host events like this throughout the year to connect with our community and bring people together.”

Learn more

To register to compete in the salsa or cookie-making contest, visit the Nacho Average Sunday page on the Salem Lutheran Church website.

To learn more about Salem Lutheran Church, visit their website at https://salem4u.com/.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.