Monday, Aug. 30, 2010

Back 2 School Bash rocks Crossroads

Music, message and ministry church's goal for concert event

Last week teenagers celebrated the new school year with two things they are fond of -- music and food. There was also some religion mixed in.

Crossroads Church held its first Back 2 School Bash last Friday. The Rev. Duke Marshall said he'd been thinking about hosting the event for local youth for some time.

Marshall said he and his wife came to Los Banos 11 years ago with the idea of helping the community through ministry. He had a clear goal for the Back 2 School Bash.

"We hope the community will be encouraged by a message of music, message and ministry," he said.

The Los Banos High School Jazz Band was one of the groups that performed at the event. Although the 2010-11 version of the band had only been playing together for five days, all but a handful of students were part of the group last school year.

"They've been playing together long enough," music teacher and Band Director Cliff Brand said of the band performing so early in the school year. "And it's back to school, so why not?"

Christian rockers, the Alex G Yerxa Band of Fresno, also performed as the teens who attended the event dined on pizza, potato chips and soda. As the band transitioned into the slower songs during its 40-plus minute set, Yerxa encouraged the teens to take time to remember to keep God in their lives.

"I know it seems like this is all there is. But the decisions you make today could affect your future: slow down," he said. "I know it's crazy out there and it seems like nothing's going right. You get quiet a little bit and the Lord will touch your heart."

Marshall also invited the Rev. Paul Wilcox from Lemoore to speak at the event. Marshall said the Back 2 School Bash was "a great way to end the first week of school."

Marshall said as an employee of the Los Banos Unified School District he often hears teenagers complain of boredom. He said last Friday's event and the regular meetings of Crossroads' youth group, Under the Cross, help solve that problem.

"Finally there's something to do on Friday nights in Los Banos," he said.