NEVADA, Iowa—Who knew that a youth group could use Monopoly as an outreach activity? James Reynolds, associate pastor of Nevada Baptist Church, did.
Reynolds has been organizing Monopoly Madness, an event for students in grades six through 12, for 18 years—two years during his internship and 16 years at Nevada Baptist Church. He explains how the idea came about: “I was having a discussion with the parent of a teen and stated you can make a youth activity out of any game. They disagreed and challenged me to make a youth event out of Monopoly. I believe the statement was, ‘There is no way you can get teenagers to sit down for an afternoon and just play Monopoly.’ Obviously you can!”
With the help of 40 volunteers, Nevada Baptist Church hosted 150 students and 20 youth sponsors for its annual event Jan. 24. When the teens entered the church at 11:00 a.m., they each received an envelope with a game token and Monopoly money. Then they sat down at tables to play, choosing one of three levels; the higher the level, the higher the risk, but greater were the rewards. At any point, they could sell out of a game, pick up their pieces and start a new game, or join another existing game.
As the 4:00 ending time neared, a speaker challenged the students from God’s Word. Then they took their Monopoly money to the “store,” where $3,000 worth of prizes were ready to be purchased, including gift cards, accessories, sporting goods, clothes, electronics, and food. Big winners walked away with electric scooters, headphones, golf clubs, LED TVs, an HD video recorder, and more.
Reynolds describes the purpose of Monopoly Madness as a “connecting point” for teens. It’s a way for Nevada Baptist’s youth group to connect with teens from GARBC churches around the state and for their friends to meet teens who attend Nevada Baptist Church.
