Event Recap: 2nd Presbyterian Block Party & Exclusive Interview with Mike Forbush

Last Updated 8/1/2023

Second Presbyterian on Jefferson Avenue hosted its first Annual Community Block Party Sunday July 31st, offering a fun experience for all. The Block Party included fun for everyone such as inflatables, live wrestling, food, and even a special visit from Batman. Mike Forbush, host, church member, and local basketball star and coach talked about the Block Party and his personal road to success in an exclusive interview. Read more about Forbush and why he feels so drawn to giving back and reviving the Huntington community that he calls home.

Forbush said he grew up on 20th Street and 9th Avenue, far from where he now goes to church in the West End of Huntington. He said he grew up in his mom’s house in Huntington and although he came from a less privileged lifestyle, knew he had bigger things for him. His career took him to Morgantown, WV, but while living in Morgantown, he was in a car accident that hospitalized him for six days. He returned to Huntington in 2016. Determined to not be overcome with depression and anger, he remodeled his moms house during his road to recovery, and soon found himself wanting to find other ways to make his environment a more positive place for not just him, but for his son too.

Forbush said he became a Deacon in 2016 at a Baptist Church he grew up going to. From there, he found himself wanting to use his skills with Basketball and love for helping kids to open a free basketball camp. “[After COVID], as soon as everything opened back up in 2020, I went to Westmoreland, right across the street from Corbin, we called it Corbin Park, and I put on a free camp, and it kept growing and growing and growing and I was like, dang, I want to help people.”

From there, Forbush got involved with Second Presbyterian in West Huntington. The Annual Block Party was intended to be a fun gathering for friends, family, and children, and that’s exactly what happened. “The best part about the entire block party was my son seeing me ride in on Batman’s car… I got to tell him I was superdad,” Forbush said.

Although he remains humble, he says he feels accomplished and proud to be an example for his son and for other children who he now gets to coach. “You know, some kids don't have it like that,” he said. “So my next goal is Thanksgiving Dinner and I’m already building a Christmas event as we speak.”

The West Huntington community should be on the lookout for Forbush and the projects and events to come at 2nd Presbyterian on Jefferson Ave. The Church has a Facebook page and Forbush says don’t be shy to call his cell if you have any questions or want to get involved with the church and their projects at (681) 279-1940.