New ministry aims to connect with skateboarders and stunt bikers

EL CENTRO — The Sidewinder Skate Park has become a popular gathering place a popular gathering place for local youth. A new Christian ministry hopes to help keep it a safe and nurturing one.

First Christian Church of El Centro kicked off its new Eternal Ministries at the skate park Thursday night with a free meal and prize drawings for the skateboarders and stunt bikers in attendance.

First Christian Church Youth Pastor and Eternal Ministries’ team leader Santiago Acosta said the ministry’s objective is not necessarily about preaching to kids but rather providing positive role models and building relationships with kids.

Persons from all walks and backgrounds gather at the park, but not all of them set great examples. Cursing and fights can occur. The ministry hopes its presence can assuage that to some degree.

“We want the skate park to be a safe place for kids,” Acosta said.

Kids who showed up Thursday were treated to hotdogs, chips, fresh fruit and drinks. They also had an opportunity to win prizes that included free shirts and hats, two new skateboards and new BMX bicycle.

While the ministry’s future events

at the park won’t always be that elaborate, they do intend their presence to be consistent. “We want to be doing this very often,” said ministry co-founder and local barber Albert Zavala. “We want to be a presence here in El Centro at this skate park every Thursday night at 7 o’clock, not so much doing an event like this but just being present.”

Most Thursdays, the ministry’s outreach may involve little more than showing up with some fresh watermelon or cold drinks and hanging out with the kids. Other times, there might be bike-riding and skateboarding demonstrations and messages from Christian athletes, live music, cookouts and additional prize contests.

The key thing, Acosta observed, is to make sure the ministry conveys trust. “We want to build friendships and relationships,” he said. “We want to allow our actions to portray the example of Jesus.”

PHOTO CRIS LOPEZ PHOTO CRIS LOPEZ A child exchanges a high-five with one of the Eternal Ministries volunteers after winning a new t-shirt Thursday evening at the Sidewinder Skate Park. The sun sets on El Centro’s Sidewinder Skate Park Thursday evening.

Eternal Ministries co-founder Albert Zavala (left) presents El Centro’s Ambrose Dawson (center) with a new skateboard Thursday. PHOTO CRIS LOPEZ