Collideoscope

Posted by: Denelle

A church in Alexandria, VA has found a new and inventive way of reaching out to the local teen community.

Every Wednesday the First Baptist Church of Alexandria opens their doors to the local high school population and offers free pizza and sodas to students in exchange for their partaking in a brief bible study (and for their e-mail addresses). They call it Jesus Pizza.

Some weeks, as many as 150 students or more trek the half-mile down King Street from the school to lounge on old couches, thumb through Bibles or play pool while waiting for free slices and sodas in the church basement.

"They come in. If they want to hear what we're saying, they stay. If they don't, they can leave," said Mary Rhoades, who works with youth at the church.

There are mixed feelings among students (and parents) who feel that this is a way of "brainwashing" kids, or is a "missionary project." However, the church's youth pastor insists that the church's objectives are aimed at helping kids in the long run.

"We do not expect to have hundreds of students showing up at church on Sunday. But we want them to feel this is a friendly place," he said. "So someday, if they're at a crossroads or experiencing a difficult time, something they can't handle by themselves, they will remember there was a church on King Street that opened its doors to them."

What an excellent opportunity to reach out to the local community.