Hawarden Teen Center Focuses on Youth Enrichment

Teens in Hawarden are hanging out. Behind the social atmosphere of their new teen center, Crosswalk, opportunities abound.

According to Youth for Christ Area Ministry Coordinator, Damon Green, of Hawarden, area teens have an opportunity to explore their faith in a relaxed atmosphere.

"It's got a double meaning. It could mean cross, the cross of Christ, and it's a walk with him," Green explained. "But, really what we want it to be is a crosswalk, like when you're crossing a road, in a safe zone."

The non-denominational center hosts a variety of activities for middle school and high school students.

On Sunday evenings middle school students gather from 5:00 to 6:30pm, and high school students gather from 7:00 to 8:30pm to socialize and explore their faith.

A new program, The Fifth Quarter, allows teens to gather at the center after West Sioux football games. A concession stand will be available, along with several games including ping pong and billiards in the rec room portion of the center. Green says the time together allows the teens an opportunity to build friendships with their peers.

Crosswalk is also available for group gatherings. Since their first event in January of this year, the facility has hosted birthday parties, school reunions and graduation parties. Green says the organization would also allow wedding receptions and other social events to be held at the center.

"Hawarden had the idea, and they (a group of people from area churches) came to us (Youth for Christ). They said we would really like to have a teen center because we have all these kids that we would like to provide a safe place for them to go to where they can grow in their faith," Green explained of the local interest.

And since bigger cities nearby including Sioux City and Le Mars were able to have a teen center, managed by Youth for Christ, why shouldn't Hawarden? So, a dream became a reality.

"It's really pretty cool," Green commented on the local facility.

When he was growing up, a similar opportunity wasn't presented to him. An experience in college changed his view on faith, making his life's focus shift from his studies in graphic design to youth enrichment.

"When I was 18 years old I went on a service project to Pasadena , California when I was going to college at Northwestern College in Orange City. While I was there, probably over a period of a year, I just began to hear the message of Christ, and that he died on the cross for me, which I had never heard before. It has never really made sense," Green explained.

"I knew that I was empty. I said a prayer. Actually I said, I'm sick and tired of walking the fence. I ask you to come into my heart when I die. I want to go to heaven and be with you," Green commented. "And, at that time he came into my heart, and my life dramatically changed."

In 1993 Green took a job in Sioux City with Youth for Christ. In 2003 he came to Hawarden to begin pursuing the building that now houses the teen center.

Green lives in Hawarden with his wife Carla and their two young children.

"I've talked to a lot of people that are one step away from eternity. Most of them have said I wish I could do it over again. I would do it over again. And if you can, capture the heart of a teenager, and help them to understand that there's a God that loves them, " Green explained of his love for youth.

Since he grew up in a less than picture perfect household, Green has made it a goal to enrich the lives of the local youth.

"I would like to see every teenager in Hawarden have an opportunity to hear and become a follower of Jesus Christ. Not, just to hear it, or to have it shoved down their throat. But, to see it lived out. And to hear it, and to present to them in a manner where they can either choose it or leave it. They have that option," Green explained.

The staff at Crosswalk uses a simple, non-confrontational approach to spread the word of God.

"With Youth for Christ, we have a way of sharing our faith called three story. It's about listening to their story, and then as you listen to their story you begin to connect your story with theirs, and then through friendship, you connect God's story in there," Green explained. "It's an ongoing conversation."

"It has not been easy. It's been very difficult," Green explained of the progress as he takes a break from putting new shingles on the center's roof. Once the roof is complete, he and the rest of the Youth for Christ members can start focusing on the ministry.

"That's really where my heart is. It's not about the building. This is a tool. The building can come and go. We've been doing ministry for five years without a building. It's going to be huge to have a consistent place," Green explained.

In the same modest tone, Green clarifies that Youth for Christ really hasn't done anything for the community of Hawarden. A higher power has guided them to the community to carry out a plan.

"We can't look back and say anyone did this. God made it happen. God has a plan. He loves Hawarden, and the students of Hawarden," Green reassured.

***This article was originally published in the Hawarden Independent / Ireton Examiner newspaper by Sedgwick Publishing.***