Two years have passed since the grand opening of Shockwave in Carlyle. The facility, which is run by the Carlyle Pentecostal Assembly and managed by Pastor Matt Redstone, acts as a drop-in centre for everyone 12 to 18 years of age.The centre is definitely that with a pool table, video games, televisions and an air hockey table to name a few of the items that fill the building.
The idea started back in 2009 when the church, which used the current building as storage space, decided to overhaul the space into a community friendly building. In enters Pastor Matt.
Arriving here in August of 2009, Pastor Matt has seen the youth centre evolve. "It's been really good. The youth have really enjoyed it and we've seen a lot of youth come out. We've had a big hike in our numbers lately. For the past couple of weeks, we've had about 40 kids come out. We had been averaging about 25 before that point."
"We have been hearing a lot of feedback from their parents. We hear a lot of 'I wish I had this when I was a kid,' so we know we are doing something right."
And the centre is looking forward to seeing even more youth come out. "We can get much bigger. The building used to be the old church and they used to get 110 people in there. So, that's the goal. To max the building out!"
For those that have never been and for parents who are curious about the programming, Pastor Matt explains the typical weekend nights at Shockwave.
"We do everything and anything basically. We do stuff like full body contact duck duck goose and dodge ball, things that the youth like. Last week we played a guys versus girls jeopardy. When it is nice outside, we like to do things out in the community like scavenger hunts or something along those lines."
"Friday night is a little different than Saturday. It [youth group] is from 7 to 9 [p.m.] and part of that night is my time with the youth. So, the kids are normally there by quarter after seven and we start by going through our announcements."
"Every couple of months, we will go on a road trip. So, we will find a concert or something like that. And at the end of April we have our big Youth conference that we go to. So, during Friday night, I make all of my announcements. So, it's kind of a 'mark your calendar for this date', or 'next week we are going to do this' discussion."
"After the announcements, we pray and then we'll do our activity until about 8:30 [p.m.]. Usually the parents bring a snack for the kids, so we will take a break at 8:30. I usually have a talk that I do with the kids then. Then the rest of the night, we just kind of hang out. And then anywhere from 11 [p.m.] and one in the morning, the kids start filtering home."
"And as for Saturday, I don't typically plan anything. I might have a movie night planned or something like that, but it's not the same as Friday."
Paste Matt encourages those interested to come out and see what it is all about. And with the centre's second year anniversary coming up, plans are in the works for a celebration. For more information, contact Pastor Matt at 453-2781 or by email at [email protected].
