02.25.2008
Upper Room celebrates 10 years
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From left, Stephanie Herring, Sam Moose and Cameron Christmas participate in a youth Bible study at The Upper Room. photo. |
For nearly a decade, The Upper Room has been helping teens avoid the pitfalls of adolescence and the dangers lurking in the streets.
Stephanie Herring is a walking, talking example of the work the Christian ministry has accomplished, despite its humble beginnings and a sometimes vocal chorus of detractors. Before becoming a regular at the coffee house on West Broad Street, the 15-year-old said she practiced Wicca and was a cutter, intentionally injuring herself.
“The Upper Room is where I got into Christianity and where I got saved,” she said. After frequenting the teen hangout for two years, she discovered God. “He taught me who I’m supposed to be,” she said.
Herring’s salvation is one of the dozens of stories The Upper Room’s manager, supporters and volunteers will be pointing to in the coming weeks as the ministry marks its 10th anniversary.
“I know God has sustained it,” Director Nancy Sheets said. “It’s the only way it can last. Most venues like this have a life span of six months.”
Humble beginnings
Ten years ago, Covenant ARP Church was looking for a place to expand its youth ministry.
Those discussions spawned talks about how that additional space could best be used.
Sheets said it was apparent that a place was needed for bands to play. Several local groups were forced to play in environments that weren’t ideal.
Since the Upper Room opened, its mission has remained constant - minister and encourage youth.
Teenagers participate in Bible study, play board games, billiards, ping pong and foosball. On a typical weekend night, the coffee house serves 60 young people. Live music has also been a staple, attracting bands and teens from around the region who are looking for good entertainment in a safe setting.
“It was the first place in Statesville to welcome teens no one else wanted to contend with,” Sheets said. “We were open to them and welcomed them.”
Herring said the ministry has been a lifesaver for many teens.
“The Upper Room prevents them from doing things that could get them arrested or killed,” she said. “I hope we have another 10 years of saving people and (helping) kids my age who don’t know God and have no direction.”
It hasn’t always been easy to carry out this noble mission.
Public opposition to the ministry and the challenge of finding a permanent home defined the early years of The Upper Room.
The first hurdle occurred when the ministry was evicted from its first location on Center Street after only five months.
For years the ministry battled churches and individuals who judged The Upper Room on the appearance of some of the teenagers it served, Sheets said. Numerous letters to the editor that were published in the R&L by those critical of the ministry also took their toll on those who believed in the project.
Even after enduring difficult times, organizers were motivated to continue to grow the ministry because “it was enough of a success that we knew we needed to keep going,” Sheets said.
After being without a permanent home for five months, they found a second building where The Upper Room was housed for 18 months. Then, after raising $35,000 in six weeks, the ministry’s board was able to purchase its current location on Broad Street.
Realizing the obstacles they have navigated since 1998, Sheets has a tough time summing up what has become her life’s swork.
“It makes me speechless to think about it today,” she said.
Giving teens refuge
Volunteer Armin Wrape, who has been involed with The Upper Room for years, leads an Christian discussion group and Bible study. Participants often discuss how to live a Christian life today.
When he first walked through the doors many years ago, he never imagined the organization would still be around years later.
Since it offered an alternative way to spread the gospel, he knew some people would not accept it.
Regardless of what people see on the outside, it has had a positive effect on the teens, Wrape said.
“They have had a long impact on these kids lives,” he said. “They are reaching out to kids and families who would not normally attend a church.”
The ministry’s future, Sheets said, is never clear, but its purpose is solid because teens are hungry spiritually.
If that hunger isn’t satisfied at The Upper Room, the teens will seek it elsewhere.
The Upper Room, located at 129 W. Broad St., Statesville, will mark its 10th anniversary on Thursday, March 8. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., participants, pastors, teens and parents will discuss the importance of the ministry. After the ceremony, two bands will play until 11:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit http://www.urcoffee.org/.