A wave of awesomeness hits you as you step into the room. A street light blares above, all three colors lit, seeming to ask the question, ‘Will you come in or turn back?’ You continue walking and turn to your left. A seven-piece band is playing, and the ground shakes as people jump up and down, screaming rock lyrics. But soon, the music slows. Double guitars and crash cymbals calm to make way for the piano. People begin raising their hands, bowing their heads, some even sitting on their knees to worship their Creator, Savior, and ultimately, the Master of their life, Jesus Christ.

This is groundZero.

           GroundZero began in 1997 when the youth group of New Life Worship Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island, decided to be more than just a couple of kids hanging out once a week. They went through several names, like Counter Culture and Generation Go, and "Worship at times was just a person playing the acoustic guitar" says Jason Corcoran, the current organizer for all the gZ events.
      But in 2005, they decided to step it up. "At this time several youth began to get serious with God and ultimately became passionate about God and their Generation." Jason continues. The weekly attendance grew from 20 to 50, and the group moved into to the new youth room, complete with a stage, lights, video game system, TVs, pool table, café, a disco ball…the works. "God gave us the new name of 'GroundZero'-which stands for the center of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change" (that's a quote from Jay again).
      And change is what it brought. Less than three years later, the weekly event now has an attendance of about 100 teens and young adults ages 13-24. They also host groundUnits, which are core small groups that function as Bible studies to dive even deeper into the Bible. On top of that, there are 'Connect' Bible clubs, which reach into the local schools.
      But other than the weekly meetings, groundZero's biggest event is unquestionably Awakening Conference. Last April, over 600 teens and adults from all around New England came to listen to popular bands and speakers such as Bobby Perry and Rain, Chris Hill, Jude Fouquier, and Mike Servello Jr. This April, they'll be coming back better than ever with the same lineup, minus Jude and plus This Beautiful Republic and the one and only Aaron Gillespie from underoath and The Almost!
      So ultimately, what is groundZero? Just another youth group? Maybe even a youth church? I disagree. GroundZero is not just a social club, youth group, or even a youth church. GroundZero is a revolution. But don't take me for granted. Check it out yourself.