NEWBERRY — The Newberry Young Life started a worship service called Intersection a year ago.
Intersection leader Eddie Long said the program started as a service geared toward college students only. Long says that he decided to change the program to reach out to everyone instead of only college students because he felt he lacked worship in his own life.
“There are many types of worship services but not all fit the way I prefer to worship,” he said.
He had people asking him where to go worship and he would suggest different churches until coming up with the idea of a non-denominational worship service where anyone can participate.
Long said he is hoping for unity.
“Something special happens when you worship. It lines things up in your brain when you sing and connect with each other,” he said. “It brings peace and is scientifically proven.”
Long said he “doesn’t want Intersection to be a place just for Christians to come worship but for anyone to come that is open and looking to find Christ.”
He wants Intersection to be a simple service. They practice music an hour before the service because it is not about them, it is about those who come to worship.
Long said he doesn’t prepare a message before each service, but allows for time to talk about what is on his heart and for the attendants to share what is on theirs.
The difference between Intersection and Young Life is that Young Life is geared specifically for high schoolers who would not normally attend a regular church and worship service.
This was designed to give them an outlet to worship in comfortably. They play popular music that they know instead of only worship music. In Intersection, a lot of singing and praise takes place.
After the music, Long shares a message and then allows those attending to share what they feel God has placed on their hearts.
Intersection takes place at 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Young Life building on Main Street.