First Glance skatepark reaches beyond the Kenmore community and into the skateboarding community. This park was built by skateboarders for skateboarders, and is purposely designed to facilitate not only a great skatepark but also meaningful conversation and interactions with the skaters.
Skateboarding is a diverse community. We have kids as young as 8 years old come to skate as well as guys in their late 30s coming in to skate with their kids. We have guys from every ethnic and social-economic background and even have some female skaters that skate here. Because we have created a space and culture where conversation is encouraged we have heard stories as varied as the backgrounds of these skaters.
We have had one 16 year old share how his mother is addicted to heroine and he lives with his grandparents. His grandfather is an alcoholic and if it wasn’t for his grandmother he would be on the streets. He shared this without hesitation and we were able to pray for him.
Another skater is in his mid twenties. We had conversations with him about his belief in God and he originally communicated that he believed all gods were the same across different religions. We challenged this through love and explained to him the gospel. A few months later he shared that his wife had kicked him out of the house and he is going through a divorce. They have two daughters. He shared his vulnerability and how his heart was in pain. However through this pain he found prayer, and through prayer and remembering what we shared he found Christ. Even though he is going through the most difficult chapter in his life he has found hope through Christ. Amazing.
We have seen our weekly bible study grow and our students are more engaged then ever. We are making meaningful investments into their lives and helping meet their physical needs and using that as a way to facilitate conversations about their spiritual needs. Continue to pray for this ministry. We are so happy with how this place is growing.
