Skateboarding Priest Reaches Out to Teenagers

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine," and Father Lendvai is giving out doses of merriment on the streets of Hungary as he zooms around on a skateboard, black robes flowing. Apparently, the Pater's patter is pretty funny too, judging by the laughs and giggles of the mostly teen aged audience seen on Funny Priest Skateboarding, YouTube video.

In fact, Hungarian Roman Catholic Priest Rev. Zoltan Lendvai is becoming a You Tube sensation as he reaches out to young people with skateboarding tricks.

The priest, in Redics near the border of Slovenia, tells Christian Today "many times I have felt this is the way I can bring many people a bit closer to Jesus," with his performance and chatter. He tells the story of three teenage boys who began coming to church after he taught them some skateboarding tricks. Now and then, he gives away skateboards bearing the papal coat of arms to young people in his parish.

His inspiration? Nineteenth century Italian priest and educator, Saint John Bosco who taught games to poor children to draw them into the Christian faith.

Lendvai's good-natured merriment as he performs is as infectious as the skateboarding prowess he learned as a young teenager in high school. Just thinking about a priest on a skateboard, feet peeking out from under his black robe, is enough to lift your spirits. Combine that with the Good News about Jesus, and you've really got something.

Sources:

Proverbs 17:22

Charlie Boyd, Christian Today

Jeremy Reynalds, ASSIST News

See Funny Priest Skateboarding, YouTube video