Mike Couick
Hanging out after the ball game is a rite of passage for every American teen. It’s a time to rehash the game, joke around with friends and make the kinds of memories that last a lifetime.
But finding a fun and safe place to hang out can be tricky. Negotiating the balance between security and independence has never been easy, and it seems to get more complicated with every generation. For teens who just want more freedom—and parents who just want their kids to come home in one piece—it’s a continual struggle.
At Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, it’s a struggle the Rev. Charles Jackson has taken head-on. In the aftermath of a teen’s tragic death in a post-game shooting at a fast-food restaurant, Jackson decided to create the kind of safe space students need—a place where spiritual shepherds can work with young people, helping them navigate the turbulent life changes of adolescence.
Last fall, the Brookland Baptist congregation agreed to build what will become the hangout spot teens crave. Inside the new Teen and Young Adult Christian Learning Center, Jackson envisions the Fifth Quarter Cafe, a space open to all teens in the community. It will be a place where young people can grab something to eat, play games, watch TV and enjoy each other’s company outside of the watchful eyes of parents—but still within a safe and secure environment.
For teens who need somewhere to go, this will be a place where they can settle in and be themselves. During a transitional time of life that is often unstable and confusing, the Fifth Quarter Cafe will be a refuge where they can catch their breath, connect with friends and caring adults and just have fun.
“On Friday nights after athletic events, they will be able to say, ‘Let’s go over to Brookland Baptist. They have a cafe, they have a lounge, outdoor dining, and they have some things that are very attractive,’” says Jackson.
Adolescence is a time when the stakes are especially high and when the world tends to leave young people “lost in the cracks.” Teens are often left to find their own way, and even if they posture and pose like they’re ready for what’s next, they need guidance. Connecting the generations and giving young people a vision for their future, the Learning Center will be staffed with ministers, including the Rev. Nicky Wilson, director of Brookland Baptist’s Youth, Teens and Young Adult Ministry.
Jackson has a vision that is about more than just fun. In addition to the Fifth Quarter Cafe, the center will offer after-school programs to empower young adults and help prepare them for college and careers. After 46 years in the pulpit, he is dedicating his remaining years to leading the teenagers in his church community as they become the next generation of shepherds.
Construction on the Teen and Young Adult Christian Learning Center is scheduled to begin in Summer 2018, with plans to open at the start of the school year in 2019.
Choosing to live in a world of hope instead of despair, Jackson is applying the wisdom earned during a lifetime of serving others, and by recognizing the importance of showing love in a tangible way, his congregation at New Brookland Baptist Church is providing solutions that will benefit generations yet to come.