COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hundreds gathered following Sunday service at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road to celebrate the grand opening of the church’s new Youth Development Center. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by tours of the newly constructed 13,000-square-foot building for children and their families.
“It’s always been a plan to, you know, level up our youth services. And I’m just glad that it’s finally in action,” said youth leader Chloe Thompson, beaming with excitement.
As Thompson and fellow youth leader KJ walked through the new space, their enthusiasm was palpable. “It’s so exciting because we finally get our own building we need,” KJ explained. “We will be able to meet a lot of new people and just get to communicate and enjoy each other.”
The center is outfitted with state-of-the-art features, including video boards and PlayStations in the gaming area, Smart Boards in all six breakout classrooms, a children’s play area, as well as an outdoor playground and sitting area. Youth Pastor Antoine Jackson emphasized that these elements will help create a supportive environment for young people.
“We call it the Youth Development Center. So that’s what we’re going to do,” Jackson said. We’re going to try to develop kids spiritually, emotionally, mentally. We’re going to try to develop their studies. We’re going to try to develop their communication skills."
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department played a key role in sponsoring the center, motivated by a desire to create a safe space for youth and to combat violence in the community.
“This is a community effort now to do something about youth violence and gangs, and this is what a church is all about—not just within the four walls but getting out in the community. This development center is going to help with that,” Sheriff Leon Lott said confidently.
In an effort to use the center as a preventative measure to keep teens and children safe, Jackson announced an initiative they plan to implement soon.
“We’re gonna do what we call a fifth-quarter cafe,” Jackson shared. “So, you know how there are four quarters in a football game? We’re saying a fifth-quarter cafe instead of you going to Waffle House, McDonald’s, where there are shootings and all these different things going on. We want to provide a place by saying, ‘Hey, you come to our Youth Development Center.’ So, we’ll have Richland County here in a controlled environment, and you can kind of keep those bad actors -- and we’ll feed you.”
For teens like Chloe and KJ, the new center represents a place of positivity and connection.
“The only connection we do here is good vibes only. That’s our slogan, good vibes only,” both youth leaders shared.