SCOTT CITY CHURCH EXPANDS YOUTH PROGRAM WITH BUILDING ADDITION

SCOTT CITY -- When members of Father's Arms Fellowship church talk about keeping youth off the streets and away from trouble, they don't have to look far to find teen-agers.

Teens in Scott City like to congregate in a parking lot across the street from the church. The youth aren't really making trouble, but the church wants them to know that other alternatives exist.

Father's Arms is expanding its youth program with a new 1,700-square-foot youth center to the church building at Lincoln and Main streets.

The center will be a place for youth to come and play pool, ping pong, video games and listen to Christian music, said Pastor Ken Strong.

The church now rents a building in an alley behind the church for similar purposes, but the new construction will allow better access for the church. Youth members of the church are encouraged now to invite their friends to the center, said Gary Hollis, youth pastor. "They go across the street and invite them over," he said. "We have a place for them to come and get off the street."On a typical Wednesday evening, youth gather at the center at 7 p.m. and spend about 20 minutes just "burning off energy" playing games and shooting pool, Hollis said.

Then they spend time in a Bible devotion, which is often lead by an adult sponsor or elder in the church. Sometimes they also plan special activities after the service.

The youth and children are practicing for a skit they will perform during a fund-raiser for the church. It will be held Nov. 6 at the VFW Hall in Advance. The musical duo Touched will also perform a concert. Money raised will be used to benefit the youth center building fund.

Church members hope to be in the new building by December, but that depends on construction deadlines, Hollis said.