Courtesy photo

Hot Springs youth participate in fun and games at the Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church youth game night.

________________________________________

By Charity Maness

HOT SPRINGS – Youth from every corner of Hot Springs descended on the Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church (SHEF) Wednesday evening, Jan. 25, for a county-wide Christian youth group celebration.

According to Malisa Niles, SHEF youth group organizer, approximately 70 youth, along with adult volunteers, attended the event with youth from Wesleyan, Calvary Baptist, Bethesda, St. Anthony of Padua and SHEF in attendance.

“We were a little overwhelmed by the numbers,” said Niles, “but it was great!” she exclaimed.

“It was done two years ago as a senior project,” said Niles, “but we felt we needed to do it again.”

After lining up volunteers to cook spaghetti for the masses and signing up members of the church for cookie baking detail, Niles turned her attention to planning the evening’s games. 

“The games were so fun,” said Niles, “we played Mario Cart, Ship to Shore, Rock-Paper-Scissors and more.”

“It was just fun to bring kids together for a fun night and to meet other Christian friends,” said Niles of the event. “It creates an avenue for youth connections and connections with adults as well as the adults participated in the games too; everybody participated and had a good time.”

Niles hopes to re-create this event each year.

The SHEF youth group meets each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 with their next big event being a dinner theater fundraiser March 25 to raise funds for the youth mission trip.

For more information on SHEF, located at 1509 University Avenue, Hot Springs, call 605-745-6687 Mon & Fri 8 am – 12 noon, Tues – Thurs 12 -4pm or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..