A Brooklyn church is planning an event to keep teenagers focused on faith and keep their focus away from the street.
East New York’s Changing Lives Christian Center is staging its 2nd annual “Back to School Jam” at its Linden Boulevard facility. Aimed at youth both inside and beyond the neighborhood, this year’s show is entitled “I Just Don’t Understand,” and is expected to resonate a strong message with its young audience.
“The purpose of this event to is to reach out to younger children and teens and allow them to see older people that go through similar life decisions and handle those problems differently,” said Ashley Stewart, 15, who also heads up the church’s The New Generation Praise Dancers troupe.
The performances will include a number of performance acts including dance, music and a short stage play that will teach against vices like teen sex, smoking, drinking and drug use.
Organizers are passing out flyers through the community in hopes of a repeat of last year’s event, which they said was packed with attendees. As many as 300 people are expected at the upcoming show.
Pastor Paul B. Mitchell, is trying to reach out to all youngsters living in East New York but isn’t limiting the show’s reach to just those people.
Although the theme of the event can be heard elsewhere, participants say the Back to School Jam will also deliver a message of faith.
“We do it for God more than we do it entertain,” said Tiffany Daniels, 17, another member and leader of the CLCC’s Praise Dance team. “But at the same time, we are hoping to minister to the children and get them to realize that even if people turn their backs on them, that God is still there and he always has time to listen and help.”
CLCC’s Back to School Jam runs from 7-9:30 p.m. at the church, 1848 Linden Blvd, at Malta. For more information, call (718) 272-8277 or visit http://www.clccministries.com/
