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You can make a difference in the youth of this community! |
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THE LOW-DOWN ON PATMOS PARK
Shore Fellowship Church is building a supervised recreation park for skateboarders, BMX bikers, and inline skaters. EHT is a growing community with lots of young people who would use and enjoy Patmos Park. The Park will provide a FREE, safe environment with positive messages. Regular activities will include skate and bike events, movie nights, concerts, and more. Shore Fellowship Church has generously allocated a portion of its 32+ acre property to the project.
Permits should be approved shortly and we hope to break ground this spring. Donated labor and materials have allowed us to save over $500,000 in design and construction costs. We hope you join us in our efforts to raise the remaining $38,000. In appreciation of your tax-deductible contribution, your name will be placed on the Welcome Center sign at the park entrance.
Our first JAMFEST held in November 2005, brought out 1,000 kids and so did the second JAMFEST held in May 2006, from NJ and surrounding states. This demonstrated the need for the kids to express themselves in a drug-free environment and the need for this kind of facility.
The JAMFEST events had sponsors such as Chik-fil-A, Element, Girl, Hoffman, 7th St. Surf Shop, Antics, Center City Sports, Red Bull, WaWa, Home Depot, Target and many others.
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MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN A KID’S LIFE!
SUPPORT THIS SUPERVISED DRUG-FREE SKATE AND BIKE PARK!
Team up with Shore Fellowship Church in Egg Harbor Township in the building of a World-Class 25,000 sq. ft. Skate and Bike Park. Make a tax deductible donation and, in appreciation for your gift, your name will be placed on the Welcome Center sign for the life of the park.
Print out donation form and snail mail it
Donate now online |
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| Casey's Story |
Hey, I’m Casey Doyle and I’ve come to know Christ because of Patmos. I started helping out at the first demo because I was psyched to hear that there was going to be a bike friendly park in EHT. At the time, it felt so strange being around a church, only because I hadn’t been to a church in so long, there was something in the air that I liked, it was a comforting feeling. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but it was God moving more and more into my life.
I was brought up Catholic in my younger years and I wasn’t really into it. It seemed like it was just a bunch of meaningless rules and restrictions, and going to mass and CCD (something like Sunday school) didn’t help at all. It was the same old prayers, week after week. It meant nothing to me and I found it more hollow than holy, so I stopped going during my sophomore year of high school. I felt as if I didn’t need God in my life, and I didn’t even acknowledge the fact of his existence. It didn’t seem too bad for a while, I did what I wanted and I thought I liked it. But my past year or so was my downfall. I started getting involved in the wrong things, smoking weed, and drinking. Next thing I knew, my life was surrounded in a cloud of smoke. I was going from job to job, paycheck to paycheck… just to get high and ride my bike. I started seeing how unhappy most of the people I worked with really were, and I didn’t want to turn out like that. I knew something had to change or else I might end up like them. I tried to stop smoking a few times and tried to “cut down” a few other times. I wasn’t successful with either methods, and my life still wasn’t getting any better. Then one night a friend of mine and me were talking about Patmos and I asked in a joking way, “Why is this church working with some dirty biker kids that are almost satanic, to build a skate park for us?” That really got me thinking that maybe there’s more to this than meets the eye.
So from there I started going to more and more meetings, I could sense that feeling getting stronger and stronger. Then the first demo came around, it was such a fun day, and for some reason I just felt safe to try whatever and when the day was over, the only thought on my mind was “I can’t wait till the next one”. The second one finally came around and it was even better because I won best trick on dirt, and in all honesty I didn’t think that I deserved it. Then after the demo, Guy had a talk with me about what was after life, and it got me to thinking. The week after the demo they had a barbeque to how appreciation for everyone that helped out. Afterwards Pastor Chris spoke to us about how Christ died for us, and that touched me. That night I gave my life to Christ, and my life has been changing ever since. Thankfully I wasn’t the only one who got the message, Ricci had asked for Christ’ forgiveness after Chris’ speech, and that is more comforting to know than I can describe. Christ will change your life beyond anything you can imagine, and all you have to do is ask him to save you and for his forgives of your sins by letting him into your life, and giving your life to him. He did it for me and he’ll do it for you. He’s given me the strength I need to live day to day, the strength to stop getting high and drunk (I haven’t since the day I got saved), and he’s given me a direction in life and I can’t thank him enough. I pray that one day YOU will come to KNOW HIM just as I have and that he will change your life around beyond what you could ever think of. |
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[expand]What are the benefits of donating to the park? |
- Helping the community, knowing that a safe environment is being provided for kids.
- Be included in local media coverage. (radio, newspaper, web). You will also appear in our Sponsor Directory book, which will include the names of all who have donated. Tax deduction: Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Merchandising for skating and biking companies
- Christians: Being able to participate in God’s ministry through giving and knowing that you had a part in reaching kids for Christ..
Finally, association with a community-minded project such as this reflects well on a business’ reputation. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,” (Proverbs 22:1).
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You can invest in the lives of our youth in the form of in-kind and cash donations to complete construction of the park. Some of the in-kind materials we will require include: concrete, fencing, landscaping (trees, shrubs, dirt and mulch), benches and picnic tables, lighting, shed and labor (to install any of the needed materials). You can sit in on one of the meetings if you like. You can pray - never underestimate the power of prayer! You can start spreading the word about the park. As we draw near to the date of completion, you can help with the actual building of the park. You can become a sponsor. We currently are sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, Pynes Deli, Cousin Marios and SurfingArtists. If you need more detailed information, call Guy Richards at 289-2462 or Mike Capito at 442-3567.
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[expand]When asked why they got involved, here’s what some of the people on the planning committee said. |
- “To give the kids a safe environment...”,
- “To bring these kids to Christ and let them see you can still have fun with Jesus”,
- “I would like to see a safe harbor for kids that are searching for a true meaning in life and need to find it in an environment they feel safe in and have others that they can relate to”,
- “I have a burden for reaching teens, especially those that fall through the cracks of a “typical” youth ministry”,
- “...where kids and adults that love to skate will be able to go and skate and fellowship with other Christians”,
- “I am motivated to do whatever it takes to see this park complete”,
- “This park will allow me to serve God while being close to the things I love”,
- “I will do anything to help further the kingdom of God ”.
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What are the financial needs of a park this size? |
We are estimating that the total cost of the park from start to finish will be $50,000 dollars. We are talking to local businesses about donating much of the materials and labor, which will result in the cost being even less than that. The estimated cost was approximately $500,000 but due to the time, talents and treasures of a devoted group of believers the cost has been lowered substantially.
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Reaching kids for Christ in a relevant way, meeting them right where they are.
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For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to
show Himself strong
on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) |
Designed by: abiahdesigns.com |
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