The history of skate church (SK8FUSION)

Skate Church was started back in 1999 at a church in Jenks, OK by a couple of friends who just wanted to skate and hang out. In fact it wasn't even called "skate church" during those early days, it was called "skateboard ministry". The two would do a bible study with a few of their friends and then skate a few home made (two kickers and a box) ramps or go out and skate some spots. in those early days there was never more than 5 or 6 typically at skateboard ministry, on a few rare nights there would be as many as 10.

Larry Buxton became involved in skate church in late 2001. With the original two friends now away at college and no youth pastor at the church a deacon approached Larry and asked if he could help out for a couple of weeks while they search for someone new to take over.

The students involved in the skateboard ministry began to talk of a new indoor skate park in Tulsa being built called 7-Ply. So in 2003 after a few meetings with the owner of the skate park a deal was struck and skate church moved to 7-Ply skate park and would call that home until 2004 when the skate park closed.

In 2004, with skate church's new identity of SK8FUSION*, a portable skate park, skate team, sound system, and a freightliner truck,SK8FUSION went on the road. Along with maintaining the home ministry each week and touring over 25 dates a year SK8FUSION began to grow and make its mark in the industry. Planting several skate church ministries all over the United States, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands and seeing hundreds saved. SK8FUSION was quickly becoming a bench mark in skate ministry.

Along with helping other churches start and maintain their skate church ministries, Sk8Fusion also led breakout sessions at the 2006 National Youth Workers Convention in Austin, TX and again in 2007 at the first ever Skateboard Ministry Conference hosted by Christian Skaters in Albuquerque, NM.

Currently in 2008 with SK8FUSION still growing at home (currently averaging more than 160 students each week) it has evolved from just a place to skate to a place to belong.

*Sk8Fusion--"infusing the message of Jesus Christ into the everyday activities surrounding skate boarding, reaching students where they are..."