A New Approach: Without Proselytizing, Storefront Ministry Reaches Youth with a Safe Place for After School Events and Concerts
"There are some rough sides of being a teenager these days, and we really try to be open to teens exactly as they are. At least we know that during the time they're spending here, they're not off at a party drinking or whatever they might do."
(Centennial, Colorado)—At the storefront youth ministry of LIFEspot, you'll see plenty of teens enjoying the XBOX 360, ping pong, foosball, pool table, snack bar or using one of the internet work stations after school. You'll find lots of young people attending the concerts the venue provides, although you may not always hear strictly Christian music.
While keeping it PG-13, LIFEspot has found its out-of-the-box approach has opened the doors to a lot more ministry to youth than could have fit within the four walls of the sponsoring St. Andrew United Methodist Church. (Photo: Lifespot.org)
"Outside the church—when they're here—you really can't tell the difference between the ones who go to church and the ones who don't," said Patrick Scriven, director of LIFEspot. "The things that teenagers are thinking about doing or experiencing are things their youth pastors may never know."
Tim Stevens, executive Pastor at St. Andrew's agreed, saying they were meeting the kids "where they're at."
"There are some rough sides of being a teenager these days, and we really try to be open to teens exactly as they are," Stevens added. "At least we know that during the time they're spending here, they're not off at a party drinking or whatever they might do."
