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Rockford Skateboard Ministry Has Gospel Focus
ROCKFORD, IL (September 22, 2001) - Bethesda Covenant Church wanted to start a skateboard
ministry in its parking lot, but the church's insurance policy wouldn't cover liability for the activity.
A secular organization stepped forward and provided an opportunity for the church to acquire the necessary insurance. The Skate Park Association of the United States (SPAUSA) is providing insurance instead, offering various organizations involved in skateboarding activities insurance coverage at affordable premium rates. The church launched its new ministry in June.
The new "Bringing Skaters to Christ" ministry launched in June using Revelation Skate Park, a homemade skateboard configuration assembled on the church parking lot. The outreach program has provided a good opportunity to reach a broad range of ages, especially children and young adults.
"This summer we've not used a formalized evangelistic approach," said Paul Stalter, a full-time schoolteacher serving as leader of children's ministries at the church. "We're just trying to form relationships and invite kids in. Our new director of youth ministries, Greg Digieso, is currently
working with our adult volunteers to design a plan of presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to our skaters and subsequently provide for discipleship opportunities.
Stalter says the unusual ministry provides an opportunity to share with young people who are
already passionate about skating, helping to channel that passion into a deeper life with Christ. "An unexpected byproduct of our Revelation Skate Park is that the parents hang out with us, too, thereby giving us an opportunity to build relationships and invite them into the larger community of our church," Stalter added.
At a cost of approximately $30 per participant and a $50 church fee, Bethesda Covenant secured $1 million in onsite liability insurance along with a small medical insurance policy covering each participant. Young people under age 18 and their parents must co-sign a medical release and information form. The fees are good for one year. All skaters are required to wear helmets - knee and wrist pads are encouraged. The church is responsible for providing adult chaperones during each session
Volunteer assistance has been critical to the program's early success, Stalter said. The church assembles and disassembles the park each session as unsupervised skating at an SPAUSA-insured site is prohibited. Stalter estimates that an average of 50-60 individuals participate each session, challenged by two four-foot half pipes, quarter pipes, spine and pyramid configurations as well as a street course that includes kicker ramps, grind rails and fun boxes. Ages range from seven to
18. Of the roughly 100 skate members, 80 are young people from the Bethesda's neighborhood.
The skateboard park operated on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6 until 8:30 p.m. during the summer. Through October 28, the program will be offered from 3 until 5:30 p.m. on Sundays, with other youth group activities following.
For more information about Bethesda Covenant's skateboard ministry, call the church at 815-397-4212 or email Stalter at paul.stalter@rps205.com. The church website link is www.bethesdacovenant.com. For information about SPAUSA, visit the organization's website at www.spausa.org.
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