Chipped off the old block

By Gina Farthing

Published: September 23, 2008

Not so long ago, the youth center called the Solid Rock Café was a mere pebble of its former self. Years of erosion had set in whittling away at the once strong foundation that provided a spiritual support for area young people.

Open since 1996, the Rock, as participants call it, required some worldly assistance. The waning organization needed a new direction, fresh program ideas and financial backing.

Divine intervention was sought.

“Youth centers typically last 2-3 years. We’ve been here over 12,” says Board of Directors Chairman Brian Shirley.

“This past spring we had some major decisions to make, as to whether to go on, especially financially.”

The board needed to map the future direction of the Rock.

“We turned it over to the Lord,” says Shirley.

About two-2½ years ago, Waynesboro Covenant Church was going through its own transformation. The group of about 35 members felt a need to reach out to members of the community who didn’t attend religious services.

“We felt that our current building was driving [the unchurched] off. So a decision was made to rent out the building,” says Pastor Keith Harris.

Since then, church members have been attending services at an elementary school.

Last June, the church came up with an idea, a Saturday night coffee house.

“We proposed the idea to the [Solid Rock Café], which was thinking of closing,” says Harris.

“The letter reinvigorated the café,” he says.

Keisha and Richard Schmidt ran a youth ministry from their home in Greenville.

“We’re about looking into new media and new ministries. We want to know the new music the kids are listening to, the new clothes they’re wearing.”

They get deeply involved with the kids’ lives, their struggles and what it’s means to be a youth today, says Keisha, a mother of four children, including a set of twins.

“We want to be a youth group that moves with, stays with the times,” she says.

The Rock now provides the Schmidts a place to minister to youth. On Sept. 15, 52 teens and young adults attended the Fresh til Death ministry.

“There [are] kids that want to attend but can’t get here,” says Keisha. Attendees came from Nelson and Augusta counties, Waynesboro, Staunton and as far away as Harrisonburg.

With the introduction of the C.O.F.F.E.E House program initiated by Harris and his church, the Rock is making itself available to more than just youth.

“C.O.F.F.E.E. stands for Christ offers freedom, friendship, excitement and eternal life,” says Shirley. “We’re open to everyone.”

Families, children, singles – all are invited to participate in the Saturday night coffee house get-togethers.

Other things to do at the Rock include basketball, beach volleyball, video games, pool, foosball and TV. The snack bar has been expanded to include pre-packaged foods, hot dogs, candy, water, sodas and juices. There is now a coffee bar and specials such as pizza-by-the-slice are planned.

The Rock will host family dinner nights with menus of spaghetti, fish fries or taco nights.

Music will be an integral part of events at the Rock. Concerts with local Christian bands are scheduled along with skit performances, open mic time and karaoke.

“It’s a cheaper night out for a family than you can do anywhere else,” says Shirley.

He says a venue like the Rock is needed in this area for those who don’t want to go to a bar and want a place to take their family.

Former youth, grown and with their own families, are now returning to the Rock says Shirley.

“They come to visit with their families. They’re coming back again and some of them are helping to provide leadership,” he says.

Everyone who works at the Rock is a volunteer, so other area churches are being tapped for their involvement, support and ideas.

“We want to keep things moving,” says Harris.

“Boring people is a sin.”