A California pastor and former professional skateboarder said his church has many ties to the skateboarding world, including operating its own skate park.

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The Rev. Jay Haizlip, who founded the Sanctuary in 2002 in Huntington, said his professional skateboarding name helped draw people into the church and he now has three current or former professional skateboarders working as pastors, the Huntington Beach (Calif.) Independent reported Wednesday.

"Wherever I go, I don't hang up my Christianity in the closet and go skateboard and when I'm done skateboarding, put my Christianity back on," he said. "I'm just who I am."

The Rev. Aaron Morgan said the church often draws in new members with its Thursday night skate park.

"Lord, keep our bones safe as we skate," Morgan told a group of skaters Thursday.