Serving Time At Youth Lock-In
Aelyn Thompson
Jr. Staff Writer
Shrill screams filled the basement of Bethlehem Covenant Church a few hours before dawn. Paint flung through the air, making the small youth area smell of a middle school art room and sweaty kids.
The church looked like a murder scene. Paint-covered feet tracked red throughout the basement, looking like convicts that were trying to escape.
Although, you could call the kids convicts, since this was a lock-in.
“We wanted to give kids a non-destructive place to go,” helper Cara Lacey said about the lock-in. “When we provide things like this, we know where the kids are and can make sure they have a good time, but it’s a safe good time.”
Collide, a local Bible Study and Youth Group, and RJ Coburn planned the lock-in at Bethlehem Covenant Church on Nov. 1.
“I wanted to give kids the chance to bond and have fun in the Light of Christ, but make memories at the same time,” Coburn explained. “It took a bit to smooth and finalize all the plans, and I was really tired, but seeing the kids having a great time made it worth it.”
Upwards of 25 to 30 kids showed up to have fun on a Friday night to play games, throw paint, sing songs, eat junk and make memories with fellow high schoolers.
A lot of kids commented that is was just a ton of fun, even though the place was kind of squished.
“The lock-in was amazing,” sophomore Seth Howe exclaimed excitedly. “There were so many good people there and the atmosphere was positive.”
Over the night, teens like Howe played games called Bomb, Sardines, Charades and Psychiatrist, but Bomb was by far the night favorite.
“We snuck around the dark church, and tried to find the football called the bomb,” participant Tyson Brown said. “While we were running, RJ and his friend walked around and tried to throw dodge balls at us to make sure we didn’t get it.”
After three rounds, the kids got into four groups and slipped on their acting shoes for a game of charades.
“We blew up a kiddie pool and dressed up Seth [Howe] as Nemo,” Finding Nemo skit member Karoline Finken said. “Our whole group laughed a lot, I loved it.”
While films titled “Pitch Perfect”, “Finding Nemo”, “Elf” and “The Hunger Games” were acted out, the sanctuary erupted with giggles and whispers, guessing titles and racing for points to determine that game’s winner.
Once skits were performed, Coburn and his music buddies picked up their instruments and turned on the lyric projector for some down time.
“Personally, singing is my favorite way to worship, even though my voice isn’t amazing,” freshman helper Addison Schneider said. “It was a great thing to see both believers and non-believers together in music.”
After the songbirds finished, games resumed until 4 a.m., which marked the beginning of Paint War I.
“I don’t care if it took us three hours to clean up afterward, it was so worth it,” freshman Moira Kleinschmit said after the outrageous paint battle.
At dawn, there were mixed reviews about the night
“The lock-in wasn’t as laid back as I was truly hoping for,” Collide member Serena Mueller said. “I was a bit disappointed that’s how it ended up being.”
On the other hand, exclamations echoed every not-so-hot review.
“There were a lot of people and it was slightly chaotic, but it was a ton of fun in the end,” Schneider added.
Limbs dripped with paint, hearts lit with joy and minds sang with new memories from 10 p.m. until dawn.
Collide is held every Wednesday at Bethlehem Covenant Church and is open to all. Stay tuned for a new lock-in and new way to make different friends at places you have never been before.
