For God, time is different than it is for humans. The 5th Quarter is a little moment of heaven here on Earth.

"It's like the afterparty after the football game," said Landon Ritchey, the youth pastor at Lighthouse Church and the driving force behind the 5th Quarter. "It's a free, safe place for high school and middle school students. The 5th Quarter is a lot of fun. It makes fall my favorite season. Just seeing all the students hanging out and interacting - it's not forced. The students are very respectful."

Lighthouse Church's 5th Quarter is back for another season of fellowship, wholesome activity and worship. The reoccurring youth-centered events, which will be staged following two Garden Spot home football games in September and October, not only give kids something to do - they give kids something good to do.

"I think there's a lot of different things that can pull students' attention," said Ritchey. "I think a lot of students are dealing with issues and some of those things only God can fix. They need a place where they can go and know that people care about them. Just having this fun was a highlight for me in high school."

The church will stage its 5th Quarter afterparty following Garden Spot's home football game against Ephrata on Friday, Sept. 11, and again on Friday, Oct. 16, after the Spartans take on Solanco. The 5th Quarter, which begins at 9:30 p.m. and concludes at midnight, is conducted at Weaver's Custom Woodworking, 171 Tower Road, New Holland.

Lighthouse Church will also conduct a 5th Quarter afterparty in the Pequea Valley School District on Friday, Sept. 4. Lighthouse Church is currently involved in discussions with the Cocalico School District to possibly conduct a 5th Quarter event in the Denver area on Friday, Oct. 9.

"God's not done with the next generation," said Ritchey, a resident of Denver. "God's doing great work in students. What God is doing is not just hype. He wants to change people's lives."

The 5th Quarter, which has been around for more than a decade, offers sixth- to 12th-grade students free food, sports, yard games, fire pits and an opportunity to pray and learn Bible lessons. Last year, 5th Quarter's two events drew a total of nearly 600 Garden Spot middle and high school students.

Students must register to attend the 5th Quarter, which is securely chaperoned by police officers, security guards and as many as 40 volunteers who have passed background checks.

"Kids interact, and we preach and they listen to the message," said Ritchey. "It's crazy powerful. You just give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to move. If they need one, we give every student a Bible. We want to see kids added to God's house."

The 5th Quarter is very much a reflection of the church's mission. Lighthouse Church, which is located at 1279 Main St., East Earl, also hosts a youth group service every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the church.

"Our mission is to serve as a light in the darkness," said Ritchey. "With our youth ministry, we keep that same mission. We want to give people an opportunity to hear the Gospel. We want to be very evangelistic. It is a place for people to come as they are and receive the Lord."

For additional information, go to http://www.lighthouseag.com.