Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Pastors offer place for youth activities

To the average high school student, theres just nothing to do in Gurdon, but local ministers are doing something to change that popular opinion.

Brother Tommy Potter and the Rev. David Owens spoke with members of the Rotary Club Thursday, May 1, about their up-and-coming project that should help boost activities for Gurdons youth.

Potter, a Gurdon native, took the floor first, informing Rotarians of Faith Mission, which he and his wife, Stephanie, have led for the last six years. Potter and family cook meals every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

His mission is a 12-step program that helps people who are dealing with pain. Potter said everyone is invited, both old and young.

Owens, pastor of Evergreen Church in Gurdon, took the floor next, informing Rotarians of why they changed the name from Church of God.

We changed the name to emphasize our heart, Owens said.

He said his dream is to make others dream, and one of the reasons he admires Potter is because Faith Mission was a dream of his, and he has put feet on it.

Owens and Potter have teamed up to bring local youth a place to hang out and dream, complete with an air hockey table and, possibly, a pool table.

Owens spoke of a sound check or open-mic night for kids to cite poetry, sing or whatever they want to do.

Its going to be a place where kids can be kids and to express their identities, he said.

But he wants Christian adults to be a part of it as well, he said. He said the younger generation needs guidance from older Christians.

Owens said Gurdon is full of unrealized dreams, and that there is no outlet for those dreams. This will be a place where kids can dream, he said.

They hope to have this project on its feet immediately, as soon as they can put some work into the building and make it comfortable for kids.

Some items they need for its completion are couches, lumber for building a new roof, a pool table, a heater and an air conditioner.

Well be opening the doors as soon as we can, Owens said.

In other Rotary news, Billy Tarpley temporarily stepped down as president for administrative reasons, and the Rev. Gary Maskell will be taking his place until he transfers to Warren in mid June.