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Elijah Moore of the King of Kings skateboard team stencils lettering of the group's name onto a young fan's skateboard
Tony Peppe, 14, of Culpeper skateboards up a ramp at Fearless Factor. Ramps were used for a demonstration by King |
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.
"I went to church, but I wasn't really livin' it," agreed skater Luke Braddock. It wasn't until he experienced a change in his heart that it showed in his life, he said.
"If you don't know Jesus, you die in the church and go straight to hell," added Elijah Moore, another of the core team members.
The group recently released "Livin' It," a DVD directed by Stephen Baldwin, an actor who recently gave his life to Christ.
Whether just hanging out or skating with some teens and children before their performance, a Bible was always handy.
Speaking of how Christ had changed them--some away from drugs or a promiscuous lifestyle--Moore was quick to find Luke 1:37 in his Bible, which says, "with God, nothing is impossible."
Braddock spoke of the opportunities skating with the King of Kings have provided him. He had the chance to skate with Dog Town, a secular skateboarding company, but turned it down to do this instead. He thought at the time it was a sacrifice.
"I've actually had more chances for promotionmore opportunities for seeing the world," he said. "It's awesome."
With a PA pounding out Christian music, hundreds clustered around the court to watch the performance.
Despite or because of droopy jeans hanging on their hips, knitted skull-caps and surfer-like hairdos, they caught the attention of both young and old.
And their skating abilities kept it.
When the performance was over, most stayed on, spilling over to the adjacent stage to hear the personal testimonies.
The message? "The wages of sin is death, but." They focused on hope in Christ.
The response? Overwhelming. Young teens, older teens, people with spiked hair, adults, etc., poured to the front wanting to give their lives to Christ.
As Moore had said earlier, "God can do anything, dude."
For them, that means doing something they love all the while sharing a message of hope and eternity with Christ.
For more information about the King of Kings, visit their Web site: kingof kingsskateboardco.com.
To reach REBEKAH ELLIOTT 540/374-5524 relliott@freelancestar.com
