All those kids with baggy pants, wiry hair, chains and pierced body parts in our church parking lot were not a welcome sight — at first. We wanted to cry out, “Lord, not skateboarders! Have mercy on us!” Instead, it was as if He said to us, “No. You have mercy on them!”

Little did we know that five years later more than 3,800 young people would have made their way through the walls of our hearts, with more than 200 of them committing themselves to Christ. We came to see that their rough exteriors merely camouflaged a need for love and acceptance.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked who showed himself to be a neighbor to the man who was robbed, beaten and left by the side of the road. The answer was, “The one who had mercy on him” (Luke 10:25-37).

As a church, we can dispense that same kind of mercy to those in our communities who have been left by the side of the road — those who have no one willing or able to bind up their wounds. This is the story of how our church unexpectedly saw a need and ministered with a mercy that only God could have put in our hearts. Such a calling, I believe, comes to churches who demonstrate certain characteristics. Such churches are:

Prayerful
Our skateboarding ministry began with a simple prayer by our pastor as he observed teens loitering in the school parking lot. They gathered in small groups looking lost, “hanging out” and smoking. Their jeans hung below their hips, and their hair was long, spiked or in dreadlocks. Some were dressed all in black, sporting long black trench coats.

The scene continued to nag our pastor, and when a few of our young adults came and asked if they could start a “coffeehouse” for youth, he readily agreed. The kids came, skateboards in hand, grateful for the invitation — but not interested in the coffeehouse. They wanted to skateboard in our parking lot. As a congregation, we began to pray for God’s leading. Each church member selected the name of a skateboarder and prayed for him or her specifically. We wanted them to know that our church was more than a place to skate.

Surrendered
To surrender to His way is to allow ourselves to be completely open and looking for the signs He is sending. Ministries of mercy are not those we would usually choose.
Sometimes the skateboarders would ask to use the bathroom. As they passed us in the hall their shirts would be drenched with sweat, the accompanying odor advertising the energy they were putting into their sport. The church staff would offer them water and an occasional soda. Relationships were formed; trust was built.

Several of the more spunky skaters convinced us to let them build ramps to keep at the church. With kids from all over flooding in, we began to hold skater competitions every other Friday night, giving prizes donated by community businesses. We also began to play contemporary Christian rap music and serve food. The Friday-night events grew beyond our wildest expectations, as did the number of church members volunteering to chaperone. We had as many as 50 volunteers and 250 skaters.

Unconditionally Loving and Accepting
The Samaritan saw that the man was in need. He did not consider that he was a Jew. Unconditional love and acceptance are essential to serving with mercy.

We did not try to change or judge the kids. First, they needed to feel accepted and loved just as they were. We made no demands. We didn’t ask that they dress differently, talk differently or come to church. We didn’t even ask them to comb their hair, stop wearing chains or stop smoking.

Persevering and Committed
Ministries like this one are meant for the long haul. The Samaritan left money for the beaten man’s care until he was well and able to move on. And a church’s community will come to depend on a ministry like ours.

We soon raised funds to build an indoor skate park. New challenges continually surfaced: how to keep the kids safe, prevent injury, maintain a volunteer base and consistently minister the love of Jesus. None of it came easily.

The skate park was built and a computer system put in place to register and photograph each skater who enters. Now anyone who attends our Saturday “skaters church” receives free skating the following week.

When we had more than 2,000 skaters registered we hired a young pastor who has a passion for skateboarders. His full-time ministry is outreach — first to the skaters, then to their families.

Holding Holy Expectations
“What might God do?” was a question we continued to ask ourselves. We faced many problems, but asking that question kept us on track. We don’t know what will become of each of these young people, but our prayer is that — like the man on the side of the road — they will forever be changed by our ministry of mercy.

More than 22 families whose children come to the skate park are now attending our church. We hold two Saturday “skaters church” meetings. On Wednesday nights, some 100 youths meet in small groups. Last year some of the 200 who accepted Christ chose to be baptized. Tears flowed the day our first skater was immersed, while around 75 of his friends broke into applause. This is what God might do.

Who lies hurting on the side of the road in your community? Step out in faith as we did. Be a church that sees a need — and ministers with mercy.