After an electrifying high school football game, there is no better place for a teen to relax than church. Sound out of place? Not at Colonial. Three Friday nights this fall, Colonial Student Ministries is opening the café and surrounding area to high school students and their friends so they have a safe, fun place to fellowship after the game. With large-screen TVs, video game systems, outdoor inflatable activities, free food, and a game room, teens couldn’t choose a better place to be Friday nights.

Fifth Quarter (5Q), Colonial Student Ministries after-game event, kicked off Friday, September 25th and ran 9:30 to midnight. During 5Q more than 75 teenagers, representing twelve area schools filled the café, devouring snack food, challenging their buddies on Wii™, having inflatable jousting competitions and chatting about anything and everything.  Youth Pastor, Aaron Miller recommends 5Q as an opportunity for students to introduce friends to Colonial Student Ministries in a non-threatening environment. Some students took his advice. Alex King, a freshman at Enloe High School said, “One of my friends, Jenny Magee (junior) brought some friends that I’d never seen before. They seemed to have fun too.” Alex and her friends spent their evening talking and enjoying the inflatable activities. “It was good bonding time,” she said.

Students didn’t have all the fun; adult leaders enjoyed 5Q as well. Wanda Hollick, whose daughter attended said, “I was the nacho lady… I just served the kids as they came through.” Wanda and other adult leaders also supervised the event and cleaned up after the students left at midnight. “I just hoped that the kids would have a good time and for a good turnout— which we had—and that [5Q] would be a safe place for them to come after the game.” Wanda also said, “It’s a good outreach… it’s not just for our kids to get to know each other better but [a time] to bring their friends and introduce them to Colonial.” She hopes to see 5Q attendees at other Colonial events, possibly even on Sunday morning.  

Events like 5Q are intended to be more than just free food and a place to chill out, although that may be what draws many of the students. They are part of fulfilling Colonial Student Ministry’s mission to prepare the next generation of Christian men and women by grounding them in the solid foundation of God’s Word, providing opportunities for godly fellowship and encouragement, and equipping them to grow in their walk with Christ. Praise God for such a goal! Regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard, students are encouraged to come out for 5Q October 16th and 30th.