By Robin Cornetet
Kentucky Today
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (KT) – It’s kids versus grown-ups at Mission Impossible, what could be the fastest-growing laser tag battle in the state with hundreds expected to attend on Oct. 13-14.
“It’s become more than a Georgetown event, it’s truly a Kentucky event now,” said director Troey Stout.
Sponsored by White Sulphur Baptist and Gano Baptist churches in Georgetown, Mission Impossible gives youth the opportunity to match wits with combat professionals while maneuvering through an 8-acre obstacle course. Opposing forces use spotlights and sound effects to bump up realism as they try to capture or “eliminate” participants.
Mission Impossible participants make a run for it through an 8-acre obstacle course at White Sulphur Baptist Church in Georgetown, Ky. Organizers of this fast-growing laser tag battle between kids and “commandos” is expected to draw hundreds from across the state on Oct. 13-14. (Photo provided by www.missionimpossibleky.com)
Awards will be given for best individual and best team, as well as other prizes throughout each day.
“The way we’ve set up the course, it forces kids to make sacrifices to let others in the group through,” Stout said. But if even one member of a team crosses the finish line, the whole team scores a win for completing its mission.
Stout said Mission Impossible is a fun, challenging outing many churches use to build relationships with teenagers in local communities. He described the event as “100 percent gospel-centered” and said after each night’s guest speaker, youth are told about salvation through Christ.
On Friday, retired U.S. Army pilot Jeff Niklaus from Black Hawk Down will talk about the Battle of Mogadishu and on Saturday, retired Kentucky State Trooper Keith Hensley will share a story of hope after a traumatic incident.
“The whole concept is to teach youth about servant leadership,” Stout said, and one of the best ways to do that is to bring in volunteers who are servant leaders.
Stout, a member of White Sulphur Baptist Church where the two-day event will be held, said of the 1,500 people he expects to attend, about 150 will be volunteers who serve as police, military, firefighters and EMS professionals.
As a way of giving back to servant leaders, all the donations received at Mission Impossible will go to Kentucky Wounded Heroes.
