So, for the past few weeks I have been twittering about this thing called Overtime.  Some of you may have figured out what it is but I’m sure some of you haven’t so I am going to shed some light on it.  

Here on the Eastern Shore, as most people like to refer to it, there is not too much to do on a Friday night.  Unless you are going to a show or doing something in Philly or DC or maybe even Baltimore there are not too many constructive things for teenagers/students to get in to.  So that is where I saw the opportunity.  I saw a chance to offer something to do.  When there is nothing to do teenagers/students usually find something to do and in this area (and any area) 9 times out of 10 it’s not constructive. 

Overtime is open to any student from 6th-12th grade.  At first I thought it would be a little hard with middle and high schoolers at the same place but they kind of do their own thing.  It’s been incredible!  The first week we saw over 100 kids come hang out, the second week was like 90, the third week was like 170, and last week was about 170 as well.  It has exceded my expectations.  People battling on Madden 09 instead of drinking another beer.  People killing it on RockBand instead of smoking another blunt.  The list goes on and on. 

I am not naive.  I do not think I have cured a generation that desperately needs Jesus by offering them one night a week to come and hang out with no pressure and no strings attached.  But I do know this.  When crisis hits these students lives and they are looking for somewhere to turn.  They will remember that Calvary loved them enough to open up their doors so that they could have a place to go and that will be the same doors they walk through seeking help and guidance in their lives!  That gets me jacked up! 

We have already seen fruit from Overtime.  Students are getting plugged into Fuel and Traffic and more importantly they are getting plugged into the Body of Christ! I want to challenge others to start ministries like this.  Think about if every city had a church that stepped up and opened their doors to students with no strings attached.  If every city had a place where students could come and just hang out then the arms of Christ would stretch around tons of students. 

I’m still a rookie at this thing but let me know if you have any questions about how I got the funding, what kind of stuff we offer, how many volunteers you need, etc…