Caption: Teens have fun at the Encounter

Teenagers and Skateboards are welcome at Encoutner in downtown Duluth

Five years ago Youth for Christ’s youth pastor’s network sat down, thought and dreamed about a youth center that could reach thousands of young people. For the first time since that meeting, the Encounter vision is complete! Every potential program and ministry we said we wanted to have to effectively reach teenagers is now in place at the Encounter. For these reasons and more, we are excited about the upcoming season here.

The Skate Park is open this fall five days a week. It’s the only indoor skate park in the area with a large variety of ramps, rails, stairs and boxes. Skaters from all backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to improve their skills, learn new tricks, or try the sport for the very first time in a fun, safe and active environment.

Skate Church is a free night of skating, dinner, and a message aimed at the skateboarding youth. A new addition to the Encounter’s skate program is the traveling skate park. We have a complete portable skate park that we can move from location to location. The traveling skate park and indoor skate park create a year round skate ministry bringing truth and hope to this group of young people.

The Red Room as one of the last pieces of the Encounter’s ministry puzzle provides us with yet another tool to reach a completely different sub-culture of young people. The Red Room is unique in that it is one of our areas only music venues that caters to young people. We have many local bands that have begun to perform at the Red Room & love it. Open mic, a pool table and coffee bar are also available for some extra fun. The Red Room is quickly becoming the place to be for music lovers!

In addition, the Red Room will be home to our popular Girls Night. Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m., girls of all ages are invited to come and participate in activities just for girls. Such as - hanging out, long talks, baking, nature walks, movie nights, open mic nights, and of course-manicures!

One of the programs we are most excited about this year is the return of junior and senior high school open gym nights. On Friday and Saturday evenings youth are welcome to come and join in on a variety of gym sports. Basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, and floor hockey are just some of the activities. Sunday night in the gym will host a complementary program to our very popular skate church. “Half Time” will run every Sunday night from 4-8 p.m.. It will be a free night of sports, food and of course a great message for the participants.

Here are some additional ministries at the Encounter’s this year:

Drama Night- every Tuesday night those with or without dramatic experience are welcome to learn the skill of improvisation comedy.

Night Life - our college age program will meet on Thursday nights this year. Anyone 18 and over is encouraged to participate in this evening, complete with at least one themed athletic activity.

The pool hall and the coffee bar will also be open for the entirety of the evening. Most importantly, there will be a young adult Bible study time and discussion during the night each week.

Snowboard in the City- This is a new program that will start this winter at the Encounter. Snow-boarders of all ages will be able to snowboard at a variety of places in the city, including riding the hill right outside of the Encounter.

Youth Church – A once a month opportunity for youth to gather together to praise God together with others their own age. They will have experience a worship setting geared specifically to them. Also, there will be a message of hope that is sure to inspire.

Noon Ball- Noon basketball returns as a time for area guys to come and play some ball.
Quest- Two discipleship programs which originated at the Encounter Many youth from around the area are visiting the Encounter daily, because whatever the interest is, we definitely have a program to explore and grow that interest. Moreover, there are many welcoming staff members who are building lasting mentorships and friendships with our youth every day.

We are successful in part to the overwhelming support we receive from the community. Thank you for your continuing encouragement as we continue to uplift the next generation.