Maricopa Community Church hosts 3rd annual Teen Gathering this week

For three nights this week Maricopa Community Church will be sponsoring its third annual Teen Gathering, an opportunity to focus on area teens in grades 6-12.

According to Barb Adamson, wife of pastor Steve Adamson, the gatherings grew out of Vacation Bible School classes; as students got older, they wanted something for teens.

Two previous gatherings have had 30-40 participants from the community and other churches’ youth groups. “This year’s event,” according to Barb Adamson, “will be an exciting teen time with the focus on them.”

The Gathering will last three nights, Wednesday – Friday, June 27-29, from 7 to 9 p.m. Area teens are invited to attend all three nights of events at Maricopa Community Church on Hathaway Ave., just west and across from the post office.

A band will perform every night, and teens will be participating in a physical component, a skills challenge.

The first night of the Teen Gathering kicks off with Maricopa’s singing cowboy, Eldon Eklund, a former high school educator and a member of The Wagonmasters who performed at Knotts Berry Farm for several years; Eklund will be the motivational speaker on Wednesday evening. Maricopa High School’s award-winning drum line will also perform.

Thursday’s speaker will be former ASU football player Ricardo Stewart, a representative of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. On Friday members of the Maricopa Black Belt Academy will demonstrate their skills, and the head of the academy, Jesse Eyman, will be the motivational speaker.

Admission is free, and snacks will be provided. Teens who would like to demonstrate their talent should contact Pastor Adamson at 568-2585 for an audition.

If you go:

What: Maricopa Community Church’s Teen Gathering

When: Wednesday – Friday, June 27 – 29; 7-9 p.m. each night

Where: Maricopa Community Church, on Hathaway Ave., across and west of the post office

Photos by Joyce Hollis