Ministry
The Vision
In dependence upon God, through Gospel proclamation, relationship, and example, we desire to enter into the lives of skateboarders to present an accurate picture of Jesus Christ resulting in the winning of souls and the transformation of lives.
The Organization
Skatechurch, a non-profit Christian ministry, has been reaching out to skaters in the greater Portland area with the Gospel since 1987. Our former location, known simply as “the Warehouse,” was a 6400 sq. ft. facility located behind Central Bible Church in the Gateway neighborhood of northeast Portland.
The past 35+ years have been a testimony to answered prayer and God’s power to save souls and change lives. Co-Founder and Executive Director, Paul Anderson, and his staff affirm with wholehearted zeal: “The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1: 16), that prayer is the backbone of spiritual ministry, and that one plants, another waters, but it is God who causes the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5, 6).
The Work
Four age-specific outreach skate sessions are held weekly at 6:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. These age-specific outreach groups include Peewee, Junior High, High School and Over-18.
Halfway through each skate session, skaters are required to sit and listen to a 30-minute Gospel presentation by one of the staff called the “Bible Talk.”
In addition to the outreach sessions, Junior High and High School skaters who want to study the Bible with their peers are encouraged to attend our discipleship-oriented Bible studies. These optional Bible studies meet before the Junior High and High School skate sessions.
Attendance at Bible studies isn’t required in order to skate at the outreach sessions, but they’re made available for skaters who want to grow in their walk with Christ.
Skatechurch currently has three leadership staff plus another 25 staff members serving in a variety of volunteer positions including mentoring, registration, video, web, administration, and construction.
Equip
To learn more about how to start and run a ministry to skateboarders, watch our “How To” video.
The Five Axioms of Skatechurch
Our ministry preaches the gospel to about 100 students each week. Because the Bible says that “…the gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16) and “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17). We are committed to Clear, Bold Gospel preaching.
We have seen a direct effect in evangelism and discipleship over the past thirty years in our ministry as the result of prayer or lack of prayer. Our staff will continue to pray before each outreach event, at each discipleship and small group meeting, and at each ministry worship and staff meeting, as well as other meetings called for special times of prayer for the ministries. (Luke 18: 1-5)
Most of the skaters we attract are not coming initially to seek God. They come because we have something they want–good ramps. The effectiveness of our ability to attract non-believing skaters depends on how many quality, contemporary and creative configurations of skate-ramps we provide.
We are committed to consistent clear structure, guidelines and rules for all aspects of the ministry. Not setting standards is setting a standard that there are no standards. Chaos, confusion, partiality, inconsistency, insubordination, and self-centeredness come naturally. Order, understanding, fairness or impartiality, consistency, peacefulness, obedience and other-centeredness must be worked at (see rules).
The biblical discipleship aspects of Skatechurch will include 4 particular phases.
- Good follow-up of every skater who makes a profession of faith.
- Getting new believers involved in one of our skate Bible study groups.
- Integrating the believers into small groups and the services of a local church.
- Leadership development of the skaters, the volunteer staff, the career staff so that each person is moving forward toward the goal of personal holiness and reproducing the discipleship process in the lives of others (Disciples who make disciples who make disciples). (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 26:18-20; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:1-2, 19-22)
Leadership Staff
Skatechurch currently has three leadership staff plus about 25 other staff members serving in a variety of volunteer positions including registration, video, web, administration, mentoring, and construction.
