Cover Stories:	Features:
Faith to Follow	Why Do You Keep Teaching Sunday School?
	Can Work Socks Show the Love of Christ?
	High School Midnight Basketball League
	Mission Bridge School
	Ministry to Our Pastors

Jackson area youth and parents think the Midnight Basketball Leage is a 3 pointer!

Picture over 200 high school boys playing basketball until one o'clock in the morning every Friday night at your church...now imagine the lives that can be changed. Jackson Friends has a vision for providing a safe, positive alternative for teens on Friday nights where their energy can be focused and their lives can be changed.

With over 200 high school boys playing in the league, Jackson Friends Church's midnight basketball league is reaching scores of teens. River Tree Christian Church and Church of the Lakes have even opened their facilities to be involved with the league due to the overwhelming number of participants. "I feel this (cooperation between churches) is particularly important because non-Christians need to see the body of Christ working together" explained Todd Shilling, Sports and Recreation Director for Jackson. "We are using 3 gyms and running 11 games every Friday night between 9 PM and 1 AM. It's a real challenge and I have to thank Keith Miller, Assistant Sports and Recreation Director and Greg Greenfelder, our High School League Director who go above and beyond the call of duty to help make this outreach happen every week."

Between games, many teens gather at the Java House, a full-service coffee house located in the basement of Jackson Friends Church. "So many times, I hear parents expressing their appreciation for a safe, exciting activity that their teens can be involved in on Friday nights. Many of them come just for the basketball but, end up with a changed life."

After each game, the Gospel is shared with the players and coaches. On December 15, 2000, 21 high school boys prayed to receive Christ into their hearts. "God is good! All the time! I can't even begin to comprehend how important that is. It is the single most important decision anyone could ever make in his or her life. To God be all the glory!" exclaimed Todd. "A teen on fire for Christ is one of the most powerful things I've ever witnessed in my life. There are two types of young adults. One type is the high energy type and they are looking for something that is real so they can devote that energy into it. The other type is the one who has no zeal for life and they need something that is stable and real to give them that zeal. Jesus Christ can be that zeal and basketball can lead them to Him." Todd's prayer is that they will be "Won by One."

information submitted by Todd C. Shilling Sports and Recreation Director Jackson Friends Church