Elijah Moore of the King of Kings skateboard team stencils lettering of the group's name onto a young fan's skateboard at Fearless Factor, an event held for the public by Mountain View Community Church in Culpeper last weekend. King of Kings is based in Nampa, Idaho. Moore is from Garland, Texas. beh View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Real holy rollers for new generation

Christian skateboard group comes to Culpeper for event reaching across generational, cultural and denominational barriers

By REBEKAH ELLIOTT

Date published: 6/26/2004

Extreme skateboard team shares faith in Christ at Culpeper event

King of Kings Skateboard Ministries brings new meaning to the term "death-defying" acts.

The professional group of skateboarders stopped in Culpeper last weekend as a highlight of Fearless Factor--a Christian outreach event sponsored by more than 10 churches of various denominations.

Hundreds came out--believers and nonbelievers alike--many weaving in and out of the crowd on skateboards in Yowell Meadow Park.

The pro skaters themselves don't look anything like a group of Bible-wielding evangelists, but they travel the globe skating and sharing the Gospel of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

For them, it's not about religion, but a relationship with Christ. The group formed three years ago, branching off from a secular skateboard company of the same name.

While the team is made up of six to seven skaters at any given time, a core group of five is on the road doing shows.

"Riding to live and living for Christ" is their motto.

Others are excited about the ministry, as well.

Dave Wheatley, a youth pastor in Alexandria, came to speak to the team. He talks with many teens who are hooked on skating, and they connect seeing people like them who are interested in Christ.

Still, the event focused on reaching out to everyone, regardless of religious background, culture or age.

"Our desire is to build community," said Pastor Mark Jenkins of Mountain View Community Church of Culpeper, which spearheaded the event. It was about reaching out to people the way Christ did, he said.

WPER-FM 89.9 was also on hand offering free hot dogs and drinks. The Christian radio station had advertised the event.

The idea began when three women--members of Mountain View Church--sitting in a Culpeper restaurant thought up the theme of the extreme-sport event, which centered not on the fear factor, but the Fearless Factor.

"Perfect love casts out fear," Jenkins explained.

Participants also were treated to games, puppet shows, live bands and more provided by churches, businesses and individuals in the area.

All agreed that it takes more than worship services to bring about real change in people's lives.

"Church is not gonna raise them," said King of Kings team manager Shawn Plimmer.

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Date published: 6/26/2004