Jay now feels a call to full-time ministry. By 1996, the chain reactions had grown the church to about 270, and it moved to its current, larger location. On a weekly basis, links were added to the chain. Today the congregation is approaching 600. As traffic streams by, people see easily into the youth building, which has intentionally been left without curtains and tinted glass, so people can see in.
Many young people wander in out of curiosity and eventually get saved.
Youth Pastor Steve Lee, here since 1994, has seen the group grow from 12 to more than 100. Three weeks prior to my visit, a young person in the community committed suicide. Christian youth formed prayer pockets throughout the high school, and one student from First Assembly seized an opportunity to give an impromptu gospel message. Fifteen students came to Christ that day. The Sunday of my visit, there are more men than women in the congregation.