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Religion

Church hosts back-to-school bash

The day of events will include skateboarding, games and concerts for high school and middle school students.

By EBONY WINDOM
Published August 6, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - It's like a pep rally where teens can get pumped up for Jesus.

On Thursday, hundreds are expected to gather at Calvary Chapel Worship Center for "A Call to Reform," their annual back-to-school kickoff.

The goal is to motivate teens to "wake up and rescue your peers," said the Rev. Scott Wright, the church's high school youth pastor.

With 250 members, the church's high school group called Reformation Youth Ministry is said to be the largest in west Pasco County. That's more than some churches' entire congregations.

They gather each week for fellowship, prayer and a message. "A Call to Reform" will be a kicked-up version of that.

It's a jam-packed day of events. Starting at 4:30 p.m., kids can grab their skateboards and hit the ramps at the church's onsite skate park. There will be pool tables, air hockey and video games, too.

At 7 p.m., youngsters will rock out when Fireflight, whose "edgy, hard-hitting" sound is coupled with positive lyrics, takes the stage. A separate event for middle-schoolers will also start at 7 p.m., and another Christian rock group, This Day On, is scheduled to perform. The event sort of recharges youngsters, right at the start of a new school year. "A Call to Reform" is headed by Wright, who will offer a message. Kids call him Pastor Scott. And, at first glance, he resembles a high-schooler himself, with long, brown curls and a squigly tattoo on his biceps. But, Wright, 31, is an ordained minister. And he's serious about changing lives.

The main focus will be the sermon, tackling issues such as abortion, pornography, alcohol and drug abuse, and self-mutilation.

"There are a whole lot of kids out there, right this minute, (who) are in different types of bondages," said Wright, who lives in New Port Richey. "We want to get a hold of those kids and show them that there's a better way to live. We have a youth that is in crisis, and we need to reach out to them before it's too late."

That's why Wright encourages youngsters to share their faith. Even at school. After all "we're a billboard," Wright says.

But some teens clam up when it comes to talking to their friends about Jesus, Wright says. "I tell them every week, you just get them here, and I'll tell them about Jesus," he said.

And, by word of mouth, Reformation Youth Ministry has doubled in the past year. Youngsters are spreading the word.

"If teens are influencing teens in a positive way, that's our saving grace," Wright says.

"It's about living a lifestyle for Jesus. If I check my Christianity at the door, I'm saying it's not important enough for me."

So on school campuses, kids should "live differently than the world does."

And that means dressing modestly, refraining from gossip, profanity and sexual conversations, Wright says.

"We need to change what's cool and what's not," Wright said. "What's cool needs to be based upon the word of God."

Ebony Windom covers Religion news in Pasco county. She can be reached at 813 909-4609 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4609. Her e-mail address is ewindom@sptimes.com

The back-to-school program "A Call to Reform" starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey. The event will include a sermon, prayer and music by the Christian rock band Fireflight. It's free and open to high-schoolers and local youth leaders. For information, call the church at (727) 376-7733.

[Last modified August 6, 2005, 01:36:22]