By night, they're single adults reveling in their independence. The land of sports bars, bookstores and coffee shops has its share of churches, but the two worlds rarely meet. This party crowd is the least of the least likely to attend church because they're young and single. Forty percent of people who have never married and 37 percent of people who are currently divorced are unchurched, according to the Barna Research Group. The study also found that 40 percent of people between 18 and 29 years of age are unchurched.
Young professionals are a unique niche in ministry.
The churches had successfully drawn Christians to their campuses with Christian concerts and Bible studies, but reaching the unchurched was their goal. There was only one way to find out. A room at the Three Dollar Cafe, known more for chicken wings and a particular brand of light beer than Bible studies, was reserved. An Internet page was created and local media contacted for publicity. On April 5 the doors opened, and 200 people came.