A coffee bar in the basement, a rock band wearing shades indoors in the sanctuary and a 30-something Scotsman who never planned to be a pastor.
It’s probably safe to say the Sunday night get-together at the First Baptist Church in Wilson is not your grandfather’s church service. Though judging from the turnout of teens, 20-somethings and some folks old enough to be your grandfather, it’s someone’s cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
“We recognize that (traditional Sunday morning) church doesn’t work for a lot of young people,” Stephen Hay, the youth pastor at First Baptist, said as he prepared for Sunday night’s service. “They can’t get past the rituals and the traditions and the (church) message is lost. We need to give these folks something to come to. We believe as Christians that’s our mission.”
That mission has brought Hay from Scotland where he says he was a city dweller, to this tiny town on the shores of Lake Ontario. He arrived about a year ago and has no regrets.
“I was working as a graphic artist and not really looking for a job as a pastor,” Hay said. “I said no (to the offer from First Baptist) at first, but six months later I reconsidered and thought, let’s try it. (Small town living) took a little getting used to but as small as (Wilson) is, it’s like a family. Everyone knows everyone, everyone helps everyone.
“It didn’t take long to fall in love with it.”
The Rev. Jeff Durham, the pastor at First Baptist for the last 23 years, says Hay is “full of ideas” about getting young people involved in the church. Durham’s wife, Janet, said the idea for the Sunday services, called LTO, for Limited Time Only, came out of a conversation she and her husband had with Hay while sitting in a fast food restaurant.
The title, Limited Time Only, came from an advertising phrase on a restaurant poster.
“It was so exciting,” Janet said. “We told (Hay), ‘We trust the holy spirit in you.’ ”
Hay says the expression, LTO, is more than just a catch phrase.
“As Christians we realize we’re on the earth for a limited time only,” he said. “We only get one shot and we want to give the residents of Wilson, Ransomville and Youngstown a reason to understand why they are here.”
The services began two weeks ago and Sunday night’s crowd nearly filled the small church sanctuary. While Hay says he targets senior high and college students, the congregation seemed to range from mid-teens to senior citizens.
“I’ve been to a lot of traditional church services and you hear the singing of hymns,” said Julie Rohring, a member of the teen band that performs at the service. “But in this church, when they sing I can feel the love.”
Sunday’s service began with a song that took its music form a popular tune by R&B; star Rihanna and exchanged words that Hay had found on a Facebook page. As the younger members of the congregation clapped and sang, the older folks could be seen tapping their feet and joining in.
“I think it’s a really awesome thing for youth,” said Angela Goodwin. “The American church services are so boring and plain. This is a new way to see God and connect with him.”
As the service began, Goodwin and her friend, Ellysa Cardin, danced in the pews and sang loudly.
“It’s friends, fellowship and a fun time,” Cardin said. “It’s not, like, strict.”
Brit Dumbleton, the keyboard player in the band, believes the contemporary music and Hay’s relaxed approach to the gospel will propel the service and make it attractive to other in her age group.
“You don’t need a (church) organ,” she said. “You can do it with drums and (electric) guitars. You can express yourself.”
“You can worship in any setting,” Katelyn Smith said. “The times are changing. The most important thing is this is an event for God.”
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