In a world where nothing is certain, where stress and conflict take over, teens look for an anchor. That anchor for many is faith.
“So many kids in high school are looking for something–a purpose–what they’re supposed to do in life,” junior Kenzie Perryman said. “Faith gives you a purpose that many others don’t have.”
High school is when students begin to wonder what they’re going to do for the rest of their lives as counselors urge students to make decisions for the bigger picture. College brochures start piling up in mail boxes, and teens start stressing because maybe they don’t want to think about it right now. They are overloaded and scared. Senior Tanner Moore sees a way through the maze of decisions as he trusts his faith.
“Every action and decision you make is for a bigger purpose than yourself,” Moore said. “When you understand that there is more to life than yourself, you begin to act in a different way.”
In a town that has more than 31 churches listed in the yellow pages in a variety of denominations, students who believe in their faiths are numerous.
“Having faith really sets you apart,” Perryman said. “You don’t go and do things ‘normal’ kids would, like cheating, cussing, and partying… but once you get to know the love of Christ you can’t help but share with people and since He gave His life for you, you can’t help but feel like you don’t want to let Him down and disappoint him.”
Keeping that faith in the face of peer pressure can be a challenge.
“I feel like the odd ball sometimes,” sophomore Christian Tovar said. “There are many kids that are lost in their faith… I just want to bring more people to His kingdom is all.”
Tovar knows just how much faith can change a life. He said he used to be a “walking negative person” but now that he relies on God for everything, he has “joy all the time”.
For Moore, his faith doesn’t just affect his high school life.
“Going through high school is no different than going through anything else when it comes to how you live your life, for me,” Moore said. “I believe that not just high school, but all areas of life, should be lived with a desire to glorify God.”
Teens looking for fellowship in faith can find it in all sorts of activities like church youth groups, Monday morning devotional in the SHS lower library or Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings on Wednesday evenings at the field house.
“FCA is a really great program,” Perryman said. “It’s an opportunity for kids, not just in athletics, to get together and grow in their faith. To see all the changes people go through and all the events FCA gets to attend is amazing.”
Tovar attends the Monday devotional in the lower library where he said the group has prayer requests and praise reports. Those attending pray over all manner of things, and afterward they hang out and talk about things.
“Going to these meetings is really encouraging,” Perryman said. “It shows you that your not the only one; you’re not alone in all this.”
Perryman said she isn’t a member of a single church. She is interested in learning as much about God as she can.
“I go to two different youth groups,” Perryman said. “I don’t think the denomination should define your faith. It’s not about the religion; it’s about your relationship with Christ.”
With faith guiding their lives through every day and the tough situations, these students have found something that fills a void.
“I just sit back and let God fill up my life and let me have fun,” Moore said.