By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Three area churches are teaming up for a night of food, devotion and dodgeball.

Columbiana United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Columbiana and Wilsonville Baptist Church are hosting a dodgeball game as a “fifth quarter” activity after Shelby County High plays Homewood High Oct. 18. The dodgeball game will kick off after the football game and will last until 11 p.m. at Columbiana Youth Field off Alabama 70.

“Normally at our fifth quarter, on a low night, we have from 125 to as many as 200 students,” said Andy Shelton, minister to students at FBC of Columbiana. “That’s when it was just our church and sometimes the Methodist church coming in. I’m expecting a pretty good sized crowd.”

Drake Roberts, youth minister at Columbiana UMC, said he plans on splitting the group into two teams and holding “one big game.”

“Football games are the big thing, but after that, it’s not too late. We’ll have a safe atmosphere where they can come and have a good time. Parents know it’s a safe atmosphere for them to come and have a good time,” Roberts said.

Jeffrey Vick, youth minister at Wilsonville Baptist, said he wants to support Roberts’ efforts in pulling the event together.

“I want to support the Methodist church in their effort to get Christian kids together across denominational lines in a fun setting,” Vick said.

Shelton said the activity gives kids something to do after the football game.

“A lot of their parents don’t want them out getting in trouble, and we offer a safe environment,” Shelton said. “The fact the church is putting it on maybe opens them up to coming to church another time.”