The fifth quarter is back at Pequea Valley.

After last year's successful trial run, with 89 students attending, Lighthouse Church is once again bringing its fifth quarter ministry to Pequea Valley following the Braves' Friday, Sept. 4, nonleague home game against Thomas A. Edison High School.

The fifth quarter is a free and safe afterparty for students in grades seven to 12 following select home football games. At fifth quarters, there is free food, sports, activities and a powerful message.

The fifth quarter will be held on the lower soccer field by Pequea Valley Secondary from 9 to 11 p.m. following the conclusion of the game. For the last ten years, Lighthouse has hosted the fifth quarter for select Garden Spot football games.

"We used to do it at our church location," said Landon Ritchey, youth pastor at Lighthouse Church. "After moving to the new building, we're like three or four miles from our high school, so it would be impossible to do that (on-site). ... We moved it to across the street from the high school, and then when I saw that we could do them off-site, it made it easier to start doing them at other schools."

Ritchey said that he was incredibly pleased with how last year's trial run at Pequea Valley went. He said that of the 89 students who attended, 25 voluntarily came forward to be saved by Christ.

"We had a really good turnout," he said. "I was really impressed because it was super cold, and that was the first (event) we had ever done at Pequea."

The fifth quarter is completely free for students, including food offerings like walking tacos, hot dogs and iced coffee. Students will have the opportunity to hang out and play games. Midway through the event, Lighthouse will pause the activities to give a message and provide students with the opportunity to respond.

"It's the highlight of my year as a youth pastor," Ritchey said. "We had started fifth quarter when I was a junior in high school, and it's just been growing ever since. ... It's really cool to see there's students at Pequea Valley that are coming and being a part of it. It's a lot of fun and a great time."

Last year's two fifth quarter events at Garden Spot drew nearly 600 middle school and high school students. Lighthouse is also in talks with other schools, including Cocalico, for future fifth quarter events. At the moment, the ministry can only hold one fifth quarter event per week.

To keep the event secure, students will register before they enter the fenced-off area. Lighthouse works with constables from the football game and volunteers to ensure that every student stays safe. All of the volunteers who work fifth quarter events have passed background checks.

The fifth quarter is a reflection of the church's mission. Lighthouse Church, 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.

To capitalize on the influx of new students from fifth quarter events, Lighthouse will also be having an "overtime" event at the church on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., where there will be giveaways, games and an encouraging message from evangelist Joey Parsons. Students will also have the opportunity to be baptized.

For more information about the church, visit http://www.lighthouseag.com or search for "Lighthouse Assembly of God" or "Lighthouse Youth" on Facebook.

"They came for just the walking taco, but they leave where if they're facing discouragement or disappointment, God can give them joy, God can give them peace," said Ritchey.