Taking a cue from business consolidations nationwide, two local ministries have merged their efforts to reach out to young people.

The Rev. Kenneth Anderson of God of Deliverance Ministries and the Rev. Everett Silver Sr. of Dunimus Outreach Ministries have formed The G&D Group Inc.

Its goals are fostering moral and character development in young people, improving their academic and social skills and leading them to feel God in their everyday lives. The efforts are paired with a center, the G&D Zone at 501 Tarboro St., that offers amenities such as Wii games, pool tables, a weight room, food and a large-screen television.

G&D Zone memberships will be $20 per month per child for the first two members of a family, Silver said. Additional children from that family can join at a discount.

G&D’s kickoff activity will be a Youth In Ministry event from 6 to 9 p.m. today at God’s Dome at 501 Tarboro. The free event will focus on his life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s in advance of Monday’s celebration of his birth. The event is open to local churches’ youth groups and pastors.

“Who said churches can’t do business together? Corporate America has been doing it for years,” a release discussing the plan reads.

G&D’s work will create jobs in Edgecombe County and give young people something to do in a wholesome environment while keeping them off the streets, Silver said in the release.

Young people can participate regardless of where they live in the area, Anderson also said in the release.

For more information about the Youth in Ministry event and G&D’s programs, call Gwendolyn Thorpe 904-9338.