By Brett R. Crossley
MIDDLEBURG — The Silver Ring Thing tour, which promotes sexual abstinence for teens and young adults, made a stop at Grace Covenant Community Church on Sunday.
Members of the tour group used disco lights, a dance party, speeches about their own experiences and scenes from movies to reach out to the crowd of about 150.
"It's really a great program," said Aaron Rhone, of Penns Creek, one of the parents who attended. "This is our second time coming. It's a great opportunity to reach kids at their level."
"It was very fun," said 12-year-old Claire Sankey, of Kreamer. "I thought it made a big difference for me. I believe in purity and want to wait until I get married."
At the end of the program, participants could purchase silver rings for $20 each to symbolize their commitment to abstinence.
Neville Pancham, the master of ceremonies for the event, said: "A lot of people hurt. Fortunately, God has been the center of my life. A lot of people don't know how to handle the hurt, and we want help. The Silver Ring Thing lets us reach out to these people and help them live above certain expectations."
After the opening dance party ended, Pancham took center stage to reach out to the youths with help from his cast. Some members of the group talked about the struggles they faced and mistakes they had made and about the expectations they felt society had placed on them.
"It's incredible talking to this many people," Pancham said. "You see the faces of the people in the crowd. When you look out into the crowd, you see the young person that is making choices that are hurting them. When you get to see them at the end of the night, when the look changes, and they put the ring on as a reminder, it feels great."
The cast also reached out to people who wanted to start over and live a better life.
"Unfortunately, this message can't be everywhere at once," Pancham said. "We've all made mistakes. It doesn't mean it's too late for you. People have put the ring on after being with someone and now they want to wait. It's a commitment. It's all right to make mistakes. God gives second chances."
