A Wacky Way to Witness
CBN.com "When we named it Wacky Wednesday, we didn’t realize how wacky it would really be," says Denny Dllman, Family Ministry Pastor at South Louisville Church.
Every Wednesday night, South Louisville Christian Church opens its doors to kids in one of the worst parts of town…
"This used to be a middle-to-upper class neighborhood, and now we are the hood. We had a crack house operating across the street; we had drug dealers and gangs. All of these things are part of the neighborhood now, so when we looked around and saw that, we decided that we should do something that would engage directly with them," says Pastor Denny.
Volunteers, called "youth coaches" pick the kids up from their homes, feed them dinner, and play four square and basketball with the group ... ultimately, to teach the children about God.
"That’s the thing, if you come to play, you come to pray. Our goal is that we want the newest kids that come in and are the least churched kids. We have to find creative ways and sometimes goofy ways, to present the Gospel in a language that they can understand," adds Denny.
"I’ve come to understand and know how deep God’s love is for me, and I want to share that with these kids. Even if they feel like nobody else in this world loves them, it’s obvious that Jesus loves them with all his heart," says volunteer, Debbie Stone.
Whether it’s drug use, gang violence, loss of a parent or a teenage pregnacy, Pastor Denny sees the kids reaching out, desperate for help.
"Wacky Wednesday is an ongoing ministry – my phone will ring at all hours. Whether it’s a kid that’s stuck somewhere and needs a ride, or a kid who's been arrested. Also, it’s not unusual to get a call from a parent saying, 'One of our kids ran away.' So we get out on the street trying to find out where they are and who they’re with. So it’s a 24/7 deal, and these kids struggle with the issues in their world 24/7. I think we should be willing to do the same," Denny says.
Kids have come through the door since Wacky Wednesday started in 2004. The teens are getting jobs, improving their grades and aspiring to go to college.
"It's letting the kids see the Gospel more than just teaching it to them," believes Denny.
"These kids are so valuable to God and when you look at the fact that we are all God’s children, even that kid out there that’s mean and nasty and just as soon cusses you out ... God loves him. And so it’s God’s desire for us to love that child no matter how. That’s what Wacky Wednesday does," says Debbie.
Congratulations to South Louisville Christian Church, you are America’s Church of the Week!
