A local church has opened its Sunday evening services to youth members, allowing them to deliver messages and conduct praise and worship.

St. John Missionary Baptist in Washington gives its youth members the opportunity to preach during Sunday evening services on the fifth Sunday evening of each month at 5 p.m., said church member Carrie Moore. The opportunity was a direct result of youth members of the church asking to become involved in the church’s service, and it all started with one young man — Quayvonne Ebron, a 12-year-old member of the church.

“The kids wanted to do something, and that little boy said he wanted to preach so the pastor let him preach,” Moore said.

Ebron, a member of the junior usher board and junior choir, attends Sunday school every Sunday and approached his pastor, William F. Whitehead, about delivering a message to the congregation, Moore said. From the time he was four years old, he would walk around with his Bible, telling his mother he wanted to be a preacher when he grows up. Ebron’s sister, A’Kyah, a seven-year-old member of the church, also sings in the church choir and loves to attend Sunday school, according to Moore.

“He said, ‘I want to tell the people how much God loves them, and they can’t do anything without Him,’” Moore said.

On March 29, Ebron delivered a message entitiled, ‘Wait on the Lord,’ to the congregation, citing 1 John, verses 19-27 from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, Moore said. With 125 people listening in the audience, a youth choir, 25-strong, supported him and sang songs like, “Emanuel,” and “Take Me to the King.”

Moore said the youth involvement will continue as different youth members of the church given the opportunity to present messages and lead in song.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church is located at 270 Whispering Pines Rd. in Washington.