Back in February, when Encounter Ministries, an event-based organization, formed, the founders were introduced to City Gate, a ministry with a branch located at 101 N. Broad St., Lititz, founded by Brian and Kim Zimmerman. City Gate, which also has locations in Lancaster, Ephrata, and Columbia, gives local churches an opportunity to step into the community.

"We saw what City Gate had to offer, and we wanted Friday night really bad," said Ernie Simmons of Encounter. When Friday nights became available in September, Encounter jumped at the chance. Simmons said that the vision for the venue on Friday nights is to recall the coffeehouses of the 1970s. "You'd go in and you'd hear guitar, but, in this case, the music is Christian," said Simmons.

Friday night coffeehouses will be held each Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., and each week's event will offer live music and snacks, as well as a time of fellowship. Live music will feature Christian recording artists. "We'll have coffee and snacks, but the goal is for fellowship and availability," explained Encounter founder Terry Shamberger.

Shamberger noted that although the coffeehouses include music and snacks, the goal is to reach out to those who may not know God's love. "Even people that go to church sometimes haven't experienced love," he said. "(God's love) happens when everybody's accepted when they come through that door," he explained, "(when people feel) they're appreciated, they're acknowledged, and that there's somebody here available (to talk)." Shamberger added that he believes social media has interfered with the development of true relationships where people can "sit down with someone one-on-one." "Just to be able to share a little bit about what's going on in their lives," he noted. "It may even start with just asking someone if we can pray for them."

Simmons pointed out that volunteers at the coffeehouses will not shy from answering big questions. "We will have counselors here that will be available to share the Lord with (attendees) and to pray with them," he said. "They can even ask questions about God. A lot of people have questions about God."

More information about Encounter Ministries may be found at http://www.encounter-ministries.org. Readers with specific questions may call 717-413-7083 or 717-538-6678.

More information about City Gate - Lititz may be found at https://citygatelancaster.com/lititz. Readers who have specific questions may email info@citygatelancaster.com.