News Briefs: Parking lot welcomes skateboarders
LUSBY ? 'We have Jesus and we?ve got pavement,' said David Showalter, the youth minister at St. Paul UMC. He knew the youth in the community needed a place to skate, since many places did not welcome them. So, he said, 'Let?s do something about it.'
The result: every Monday evening through the summer, from 6 to 8 p.m., the church opened its parking lot to skateboarders. The ministry includes Christian music blasting through the sound system, a drink station and 'some really amped adult volunteers who love Christ and love the kids,' Showalter said.
Each 'Skateboard Night' includes a five-minute welcome and Showalter explains the reason behind the effort. He takes care to share with the skaters how they were each created specially by a God that loves them.
Attendance doubled after word got out, from around 20 youth the first night to nearly 40 the last weeks of August.
'We think this is another great starting point to reach unsaved kids who are feeling unwanted with the Good News of Jesus? love for them,' Showalter said.
-Across the Conference is compiled
and written by Linda Worthington
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