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Merging Faith and Fun

Faith and fun merge Sunday nights in Shorewood

 

Published December 27, 2006 - The Herald News

 

Anywhere from 30 to 50 middle and high school students show up at Trinity Christian School each week for Merge -- a joint effort group between NorthStar Christian Church and Community Christian Church. Merge allows both churches to combine their resources to create one large youth group. Teddy Haubner, director of NorthStar's Family Ministry, leads the message portion of night.  Justin Forsythe, arts director and Student Ministries director at Community Christian Church, leads the band for the praise and worship time. Various adults from both churches serve as leaders of different small groups based on age.

Games, music, message

The evening starts at 5 p.m. with a game that can range from the wildly popular buck buck to charades. One night the kids played paintball, pulled marbles from a kiddie pool of iced water with their toes and dug through mud to find buried treasures. The night I attended the kids played "Guess the Baby Picture" and laughed as they called out the answers, like Tom Cruise and Britney Spears. After the game time, the lights went down and the sound kicked up. The kids left their chairs to crowd the stage. I was surprised. The music was loud and hip, and the kids up front were waving their arms and dancing -- you would swear you were at a concert. Song after song was performed with Forsythe as lead singer and on electric guitar; his wife, Shkendie, singing back-up and playing acoustic guitar; and Micah Holland keeping the beat on the drums. The husband and wife duo sang about Jesus, faith and the world today.

Merge started two years ago, catering to kids in grades 6-12. "We wanted to give these kids a safe environment where they could come meet other kids that believe what they believe and make Christian friends," said Haubner. "We also encourage them to bring their non-Christian friends, all are welcome." Rachael Rayas said she liked the fact that there is a wide variety of things to do during youth group. "They keep you active, they don't make you sit there and bore you to death with details," said the 12-year-old Plainfield girl. This is Rayas' first year with Merge and more than likely not the last. "I really like the concerts, they are always fun." After the praise and worship songs came the message. "Every week there is a theme," said Haubner, who said themes include topics such as God and keeping your values, how to build relationships, how to deal with real-life situations like problems at home, school and even sex.  The topic the day of my visit was real life superheroes.

After the message, the kids broke into smaller groups based on grade levels so they can talk more freely about issues they face everyday. (Parents would be pleased to know that, when asked, many of the kids I listened to said that their parents were their superheroes). "They (Merge leaders) make church fun," said eighth-grader Logan McCarthy of Plainfield. "When you talk about it with your friends, it makes them want to come, too. When they come and check it out, it is easier for them to understand and accept why I like church." Parents urged to watch

The evening concludes with dinner that appeals to youth: pizza, baked mostaccioli, walking tacos or hot dogs.  Merge meets from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays in the cafetorium of Trinity Christian School, 901 Shorewood Drive. Because of the holidays, Merge is taking a break until January 7. There is no registration or cost; even dinner's free. Parents always are welcome to stay but not required.  "We do however encourage parents to come once or twice in the beginning to see what their kids are participating in and to always be aware of the topics we are covering so they can talk about them at home," said Haubner. If you have questions or want to know upcoming topics, call Haubner at (815) 436-1988 or Forsythe at (630) 388-5139.