Emmanuel Baptist Church singles pastor Kevin Choate has invested in an unlimited texting plan for his cell phone.

“Singles love to text,” said Choate, laughing.

Choate has been singles pastor for 10 years, and he and his wife, Karen, love the spontaneous life-style that goes along with keeping up with the Emmanuel singles group.

Emmanuel’s singles ministry is not designed to help singles find dates. It is designed to provide a healthy atmosphere to build lifelong friendships.

“If a single comes in, we really believe in establishing a relationship with them,” said Choate.

The singles ministry is meant to provide an alternative to many of the more risqué options for “hang-outs” many singles seem to find.

What makes this group’s idea of fun different?

“The different lifestyle, the different atmosphere, the different environment of people,” said Choate. “It’s not going to be focused on drinking and partying and sex. It’s going to be focused on the word of God and Jesus Christ ... getting to know other Christians.”

The group is all-inclusive, and there are no prerequisites for joining. It is intended for singles between age 20 and 45 who have never been married or are divorced or widowed with any background.

“We forgive and forget and move on,” said Choate. “It’s a place of grace.”

The ministry includes a Sunday morning class, “Convergence,” as well as several evening “life groups,” which are smaller, to allow more time for group members to get to know one another.

“On Sunday you only have one hour, and it’s really difficult to get to know someone. The life groups are when you really get to know people,” said Choate.

There also is a DivorceCare group for adults and one for their children.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are game nights for Emmanuel singles, and group members play basketball and volleyball.

In addition to the regular Sunday morning and evening get-togethers the group also attends dinners, movies, games and concerts.

There is even opportunity to become a group leader and help organize group events.

“We have a leadership team that meets once a month,” said Choate.

Choate said some attend the Sunday morning group, while others may only attend the life groups or game nights.

“They’re not ready to walk in and be part of Sunday morning yet,” said Choate.

The group has as many as 50 members but still manages to build strong friendships and support each other emotionally, spiritually and even financially.

“Watching them meeting each other’s needs in those groups is incredible,” said Choate. “I love the singles ministry, watching God at work.”

Even though the group is not intended to be a match-making ministry, it can be a good place for single adults to find members of the opposite sex who share the same values.

“We don’t promote dating,” said Choate. “But sometimes it happens.”

Emmanuel also has a singles group, “Jubilee,” for people 60 years or older.

In addition to the singles groups, Emmanuel has community groups, a youth group, adult and children’s choirs, Sunday school classes, Bible studies and a “Celebrate Recovery” group for people dealing with life issues or addictions.

For information on Emmanuel’s groups and services, call 237-0602.