Overflow ministry gives youth a chance to connect spiritually |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 10 2008 at 12:39 PM |
Photo by Cody Riedel
Matt Demerot strum his guitar as fellow vocalist, Mallory Mawby sings out. Both Demerot and Mawby lead the sing every week at Overflow.
By Cody Riedel
Guest Writer
It is Sunday night, and the sanctuary at the Kearney Evangelical Free Church could be mistaken for a rock concert. Although the music is pounding and the lights are flashing, there is something different about this atmosphere.
Even though the music is upbeat, the lyrics and the crowd are unlike any other. The difference is that they are worshiping God together at an event called Overflow.
Overflow is a college and 20-something ministry based in Kearney, Neb. This ministry meets every Sunday night from 7 to 9 p.m.
Overflow plays contemporary worship music and is like a miniature church service directed towards college-aged students.
A feeling of fun and excitement is what Overflow tries to accomplish. Games and funny videos are created to bring students together and allow them to get comfortable in a church-like setting.
Over the course of a school year, students hear issues and stories from a biblical sense, that they can all relate to.
Some stereotype church as old-fashioned and very judgmental. At Overflow that mold is broken because it is lead by the mind set that nobody is perfect and there is only one true and perfect God who forgives everyone for his or her sins.
Overflow's main mission revolves around three basic principles: connect, build and release.
Connect, by bringing everyone together at Overflow, and giving them the opportunity to build relationships with others.
At the beginning of every Overflow, young people are given the chance to eat and enjoy fellowship with others in a commons area.
This area is equipped with couches, a flat screen television, other fun games and of course, food.
Connecting is also defined by bringing people to a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. People who attend Overflow are also given the opportunity to join small Bible study groups to continue their connections with new friends, and to grow in their relationship with Christ.
People growing in their relationships with others and God also falls in the build category.
Build is represented by building each other up and allowing Overflow to grow with more people and ideas.
There are many opportunities for everyone to volunteer at Overflow. This allows them to acquire new experiences that help them mature in the walk of faith.
For example, a group of students took an entire week from their busy schedules to go serve the people of New Orleans for Katrina relief work.
The final principle is release, and this is the realization that not everyone is going to be around Overflow forever. This important mission releases prepared attendees of Overflow out into the world, fully equipped with God's weapons and love. Overall, Overflow is a place that accepts all people, and strives to overflow the love of Jesus Christ to everyone.
