Greater Impact It’s all in the name
Published 7:50 pm Thursday, September 22, 2016
- Families gathered at Skatasia skating center in Sardis for Greater Impact’s Skate Night to enjoy the company, laughter, fun and worship last Sunday night. Alexander Sanford, president of the organization, and Donnell Chapman, vice president, joined the youth on the skating rink participating in multiple games. The Panolian photos by Ashley Crutcher
Greater Impact
It’s all in the name
Families gathered at Skatasia skating center in Sardis for Greater Impact’s Skate Night to enjoy the company, laughter, fun and worship last Sunday night. Alexander Sanford, president of the organization, and Donnell Chapman, vice president, joined the youth on the skating rink participating in multiple games.
The Panolian photos by Ashley Crutcher
Alexander Sanford sings a gospel song during last month’s “beach bash” sponsored by Greater Impact youth ministry held at Grenada Lake.
Donnell Chapman shows off his skating moves at Skatasia Sunday night. The Panolian Photo by Ashley Crutcher
By Ashley Crutcher
Newspaper advice columnist Abigail Van Buren once said, “If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.”
It’s a philosophy embraced by the local Greater Impact youth ministry which invites families to take part in their events and spend time with the children.
Greater Impact’s greatest goal is to be there for the children of this community, according to the organization’s leaders.
“You have to be there to motivate and encourage them to work hard to achieve their dreams and to help them believe in themselves,” said Donnell Chapman, the group’s vice president.
Greater Impact has organized multiple events for local youth to enjoy, including last Sunday’s skate night and a “beach bash” last month.
Alexander Sanford, president of Greater Impact, sang with teens who joined him in worshiping at the beach party which was held at Grenada Lake.
Sanford’s exuberant personality generates energy at these gatherings, which has the feel of a family reunion. Acquaintances become friends after spending time together laughing and making memories around the lake or skating rink.
According to Sanford, his team and himself want to prevent the youth fron outlets that destroy a community.
“We want to direct them into using their talents and gifts to share their faith, build their families and be entrepreneurial,” said Sanford.
Sanford hopes Greater Impact will provide a positive atmosphere for local youth.
The children seem to understand when they come to these events that it is a safe place for them to relax and be themselves.
Greater Impact’s purpose is for parents to interact with their children, strengthening their bond and allow them to be closer to their children, according to Chapman and Sanford.
These events don’t just create safe spaces or healthy relationships, but memories that strengthen the families and faith of the youth.
“Strong communities are made of strong families. We all affect each other because we are a community of one under God. If the parents and children work together to reconcile their relationship, we as a community feel the positive impact,” said Sanford.
