Ground Zero

Ground Zero

A mission of First Baptist Church

Ground Zero is a place where every teenager can go, belong, and grow. Through life-changing experiences and nurturing relationships, we make a positive impact in the lives of today’s teenagers, cultivating their faith and transforming their futures. GZ, a faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in downtown Myrtle Beach, impacts teenagers for Jesus Christ.

Today’s teenager is bombarded by the culture and media with messages of violence, promiscuity, self-indulgence, relative morality, and destructive lifestyles, leaving this generation lonely and isolated with little direction or hope. GZ creates events to offer a different message and to introduce teenagers to the One who gives hope: Jesus Christ. GZ comes alongside teenagers and equips them to move into the next step of their faith journey, ultimately sending them out to share their faith with others. GZ also equips youth workers in 60+ area local churches to minister to today’s generation with relevance.

Ground Zero was founded in 1998 by Scott Payseur, a youth pastor with a passion for America’s hurt, lost, and disillusioned teenagers. The ministry began staging outreach events for teenagers in TN, obtained nonprofit status in 2002, and transferred operations to Myrtle Beach, SC in 2006 by launching events in local churches on the Grand Strand. In 2011, the City of Myrtle Beach leased the former Rivoli Theatre to GZ for $1 a year. After 3 years of collaboration with dozens of community partners, GZ completed the venue’s $1.7 million renovation, transforming the local icon into an innovative haven for local and visiting teenagers. This state-of-the-art, positive, high-energy environment offers high-quality programming and a venue for teenagers to connect with each other, adult mentors, and Jesus Christ. In fall 2017 GZ began hosting weekly outreach events for low-income neighborhood teenagers at the venue. To date, Ground Zero has shared the gospel directly with more than 200,000 teenagers