The New Funday School

The Gospel According to Harry Potter is just the start as churches woo the Nickelodeon generation

As Tom Crandall drives slowly through the working-class neighborhood of Longview, Texas, kids pour out of their homes and follow the sound of Christian rock blasting from his Chevy pickup. "Hey, kids, do you know what time it is?" Crandall shouts into a microphone. "We're gonna have some fun with God!"

The truck stops, Crandall gets out, and the Sidewalk Sunday School begins. "What was the Prodigal Son doing when he left home?" the 26-year-old minister asks a swarm of giggling children, age 5 and older. As they ponder the answer, he takes a spaghetti strainer out of a sack stuffed...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!