Zero Gravity Outreach, a local non-profit ministry, will hold their grand-opening community outreach event on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Complete Car Care Service parking lot in Statesboro.
        Zero Gravity makes use of extreme sports to carry out their mission: "Using extreme measures in an extreme world to reach an extreme culture."
        Tim Wilkinson, who founded Zero Gravity along with his wife Debbie, said, "Today's youth wake up to a world of rejection, pressure, sex, drugs, violence and hate. The repercussions of this type of environment include depression, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, hopelessness and suicide.
        "These are our kids, our future, and they need our help."
        The two shows on Oct. 1 are set for noon and 4 p.m. and use a freestyle motocross team, a street stunt team, "drifters" and a high-energy DJ to capture the attention of those in attendance and to share God's word. A worship celebration takes place at 7:30 p.m. Complete Car Care is located at the intersection of the Bypass and Stambuk Lane.
        Wilkinson said called Zero Gravity a "unique group of motivated believers, through their common interests in extreme sports of various types, positive high-energy music and unique videography and a desire to impact this generation and future generations for Christ."
        Though the event marks the grand opening of the youth outreach in Statesboro, plans for the ministry have been a long time coming, Wilkinson said. He came up with the idea during the end of his military career and the ministry developed first with extreme sports videos in 2004, evolving into Zero Gravity Outreach in 2010.
        The first Statesboro event was held at New Covenant Church in 2011, followed by an event in 2012 for several churches that came together.
        Wilkinson explained, "Then in 2013, my wife was sitting on our couch in Michigan and told me, ‘God said we need to move to Statesboro.' So we finished up, sold everything and moved here."
        Wilkinson served as the Jr. ROTC Instructor at Jenkins County High School upon first moving to the area, until, he said, "God said, ‘Heh - it's time. I need you to get out and start finding my lost kids.'"
        After the initial action-packed shows Oct. 1, Wilkinson said his vision involves moving full-steam ahead with school programs and family off-road adventure weekends.
        The free event is ticketed and tickets are available in various locations around the area. However, Zero Gravity continues to seek ticket outlets and those who can "partner with the organization to invest in the community, surrounding communities and future generations to encourage them not to give up or quit and to participate in their own future."
        Interested persons or businesses may contact Wilkinson at timw@zerogravityoutreach.com.
        Free tickets are available for pickup at:
        Statesboro's Army National Guard, Believers Church, New Covenant Church, First Baptist Church, CrossRoads Church, Eastern Heights Baptist Church, Anderson's General Store, Agape Worship Center, Durden Rental Service, Advanced Chiropractic, Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant, Core Credit Union, New Life Chiropractic and HIS radio in Savannah.