NorCalUrban

News article on the Pastor Bains' "Lord's Gym" project: EAST PALO ALTO — Pingpong balls whizzed by Pastor Paul Bains' head as he played his own game, paddle in hand. He stared at his opponent across the table and prepared to strike. Whack! The ball smacked the net. Bains placed the paddle on the table and went about his business — creating positive peer pressure. Around him, at-risk teens played inside Lord's Gym Community Center on their lunch break last week. "You have to touch their hearts so you can help them change their minds," Bains said. "We talk to them about staying in school and going to college. These kids have potential. They have energy." For the last few weeks, the center has been a haven for the community's youth. To them, Bains is known as "Preach," "Uncle Paul" or "Pastor Paul." The 46-year-old is the pastor at St. Samuel Church of God in Christ on East Bayshore Road and a senior chaplain...