PETROLIA - Growing up in a small town, there's often not much for pre-teens and teenagers to do in the way of entertainment that is safe, fun and wholesome.

It is out of this need that Trinity Harvest Church has offered the Harvest Center, a new activities center geared toward children and teens with a spiritual side.

The center has activities such as pool tables, air hockey, foosball, a big-screen TV and a snack bar for children 10 and older to enjoy after school and on Friday nights.

Since its creation in March, the center has been attracting more than 50 children and teens every Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m.

Heather Rich, a church member and volunteer, said the center is a place to hang out without parents having to worry about drugs or violence.

"I'm shocked it happened so fast," she said. "The kids really seem to like it."

Rich said every Friday night, a staff of nine to 10 adults supervises the center. Activities such as pool tournaments take place.

All of the chaperones volunteer their evenings to help with the center.

"We have fun doing it," she said. "It's so much fun watching the kids enjoy themselves."

The center operates on the basis of a sign-out system. When parents drop their children off, they are assured the children will not be leaving the center to go elsewhere. Rich said this gives parents peace of mind.

"We're striving to make it a place for kids staffed by adults," she said.

Chris Yommer, a new member of the church and volunteer, said she became involved through her husband, Dale, after moving to the area from Ohio last year. She said there is a need for a youth program because activities in the area are limited.

"If your kids don't play sports, there's nothing to do," Yommer said. "(Now) they have somewhere to go. I think God's got a hand in it. It's unbelievable how fast it grew."

Currently located in the church's basement, the Harvest Center will soon expand in the coming months. Trinity Harvest will build a new sanctuary. This will allow the center to move from the current church's basement to occupy the entire building.

The Rev. Rick Buchanan, pastor of Trinity Harvest for the past five years, said the concept of the youth center was from a vision. He said he feels that it was an intervention from above.

"I've experienced miracles," he said. "But never (have) I seen things happen so fast. It's turning out to be family night. We have a big heart for today's youth."

Buchanan said there are many events and activities being planned for the upcoming months. The church is sponsoring a youth camp with the theme "Another Devil Bites the Dust" on June 28.

They will also put together a music program that will allow children to learn instruments such as guitar, drums and bass guitar, and have the opportunity to perform together at the Harvest Center. He said this is all part of Trinity Harvest's effort offering a different kind of youth ministry.

"(We want) to instill some good values in the kids," Buchanan said. "We're looking for good things to happen into the summer."