Greater New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church presents “Chess for Change“

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A South Bend church is making a strategic move to provide a positive outlet for youth to level up and implement the skills they learn from the game of chess into their everyday lives.

Whether it’s critical thinking, patience, or problem solving, the chess club is giving students the push they need to grow inside and outside of the game.

The weekly chess sessions were created after Lonell Huson, the senior pastor at Greater New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, saw others play it growing up and wanted to share with his community after learning the benefits of the game.

“It’s very important because even though we want adults and everyone to come, the main thing is to get our young people out here because not only do we teach them chess, we mentor them too,” said Hudson.

Each player will be taught the rules of chess and the value of patience and strategic thinking with every move they make. With over 18 experienced mentors as chess players, they are willing to teach anyone willing to learn.

Ladalle Bates, a New Greater Jerusalem Missionary Baptist church player, mentions that chess clubs offer more than just a night of fun but also a chance for youth to learn from their peers.

“We may not know how to get through to them sometimes but the other kids that’s their age, that’s playing chess, they can also teach them how to play, so on top of that it opens up again, kids being able to talk to each other,” said Bates.

The biggest takeaway is that life is about making the right moves one step at a time and attending the chess sessions will encourage students to make the right move on and off the board.

Every Monday night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 910 Olive St.

Everyone is invited, but especially the young adults as investments in themselves and the future of the community.