The music pumps through the makeshift sound system at Skate Galaxy moments before hundreds of high school and junior high students waiting outside the doors pour through.
Excited voices merge together into a roaring whole, echoing off the airbrushed maroon and purple walls.
The students, coming from various schools across Baton Rouge, are the result of the student organization Young Life, a Christian ministry outreach for students who are not involved in a particular church.
Young Life is a national organization that operates in more than 53 countries with 3,000 staff members and more than 14,000 volunteers.
Organization members work with students from a specific school, going to the school two to three times a week, said Courtney Hamilton, an LSU alumna and full-time staff member.
Approximately 45 LSU students participate in Young Life, with each school having a team of three to six leaders.
“The idea is to get to know them and be a caring adult in their life,” Hamilton said.
Once a week the team meets in a student’s home, an activity called “Club,” which lasts about an hour.
“There, we share the Gospel with them and tell them Jesus loves them,” Hamilton said.
The students combine music and humor to share the Gospel but also to break down barriers between popular and unpopular kids, rich and poor kids, Hamilton said.
Young Life members meet once a month with middle and junior high school students.
LSU students involved in Young Life must go through an extended training program, called “Plunge,” to be a part of the ministry, Hamilton said. Plunge is Bible study combined with training.
There are no requirements for interested students, except that they be involved with a local church, said Young Life Area Director Bret Bourgeois.
After the semester of training, students become an apprentice on a team in the spring. Afterward, they can decide whether or not they want to continue.
Hamilton said many students who participated in Young Life in high school will be a part of Young Life in college, but that background is not required to participate.
LSU’s student members are not affiliated with a particular church denomination, Bourgeois said.
“If you name it, our kids are from that background,” Bourgeois said.
Skate Galaxy is the site of “All-City,” a once-a-year event in which students from area high schools are invited for games, skits, songs and a brief message.
Young Life holds Club at Istrouma, Capitol, Lee, Broadmoor, Baton Rouge, Tara, University and Woodlawn high schools. The members also work with students at Parkview, Dunham and Southeast middle schools and Denham Springs Junior High.
Young Life accepts membership applications twice a year, at the fall and spring student organization fairs. Hamilton said interested students can call Young Life at 389-0111 to receive a packet for next semester.