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BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

It was church in the parking lot. Faith and tailgating merged amid free hot dogs, music, soccer and footballs and the anticipation of a game between high school rivals when Wesley Freedom UMC staged a party in the parking lot of Liberty High School in Eldersburg.

A few hours before Liberty was to take on its nearby rival, Century High School, members of the town's faith community set up space in the Lions' Parking lot.

Tyler Whittenburg and Daniel Kaste, juniors at Century, kicked a soccer ball around and explained that they both attended Wesley Freedom UMC. They liked the church and its youth praise band. The tailgate party, they explained, was a way to build exposure and let other kids know the church was there, that it welcomed them.

In successful youth ministry today, said Bob Jacoby, the church's youth director, you don't just put up a sign and expect kids to come. "This is not an ‘if you build it they will come' kind of ministry. The church needs to reach out to kids where they are. We need to be present in the places of their lives and then share from our own experience what God can do in a person's life."

In previous years, Wesley Freedom offered a "fifth quarter" event for youth after local football games. But at an informal breakfast earlier this fall with youth directors from other area churches, it was decided to pool efforts and offer an ecumenical event.

"We don't really have any expectations. We're not making long-term plans," Jacoby said. "We wanted to offer this and see what happens."

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes ended up taking the lead on the event and a mission component emerged as money and awareness was raised at the event to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The Christian drama troupe FireStorm also performed at the tailgate party.

"This isn't about pushing or preaching. We came out here, in a low key way, to be a witness to the community," said Jacoby. "We'll see what grows out of this. But my main purpose is to let people know God is working in my life in powerful ways. I want to reach out and help kids open their minds, and hearts to what God can do."