Religious students at John F Kennedy High School are pleased to announce that they are a part of a newly created Christian club called The Jesus Club.
Creators Cassandra Hernandez, Isaiah Tejada, Camila Alarcon and Pogos Muradian had thought of this club to provide a way that like-minded students could gather, and encourage each other, utilizing the teachings of Jesus Christ. The meetings, held in Duncan Scrymgeour’s class (C101) on Thursdays, have many students attending and filling up the room.
The Jesus Club is open to all who are interested in Christian teachings during lunch on Thursdays. This club wants to be a social, non-judgemental safe space for students who are interested in expanding their religious journey.
JFK students have been attending these club meetings, with over 100 students signed up to be in the club. The creators and contributors of the Jesus Club were stunned at the long line of students who were eager to sign up during lunch at Club Rush on August 29, 2024.
The creators of this club have had a collective agreement to create this club, and the activities they will provide for the members. Camila Alarcon, creator and contributor of the Jesus Club, had thought of the idea of this club and why it should be created. “I was just reading my Bible, and I remember seeing a part that mentioned spreading the word of Christ, and the good news,” said Alarcon. “After that, all I was able to think about was the idea of starting a club. I just knew that it was God telling me that I needed to start a club, it was my calling.”
The start of this club also impacted the other creators of the club. Isaiah Tejada, creator and contributor of the Jesus Club, also had a part take in the organization of this club. “It wasn’t until I had an encounter that made me realize that I had to do something with spreading the word to others,” said Tejada. “At a youth camp at my church, Camila had mentioned about starting a club, and that was the confirmation that we needed to do this club.”
After a quick decision made by the creators, they had a kick-off of their first club meeting on September 12, 2024. Dozens of kids rushed into the classroom during lunch, looking forward to their first meeting, learning about the Christian religion.
Dunan Scrymgeour, English Teacher at JFK chaperoned these meetings in his classroom. “Students come in with excitement, and to my surprise, the club population is just as large as it first started, which is great,” said Scrymgeour. With pizza, and an introduction on the club and what students will learn about, the students had a great time.
After having their third official meeting on September 26, 2024, the creators of the Jesus Club shared their testimonies to the students, showing them how their relationship with God started and how it has impacted them. “I know how much Jesus has saved me and helped my life, and I want these students in the club who are dealing with depression and anxiety to know that following Jesus can help them through a hard time,” said Alarcon.
With this club having such a positive impact on the students who have joined, the Testimonies given out by the creators opened up the eyes and hearts of many students.
The outcome of this club has gotten great feedback from the students participating in the club. “I think this club is very inspirational. I’ve never sponsored a club that’s had so many people in it. They are all very earnest and sincere,” said Scrymgeour. “So far the students have been very open and it doesn’t feel restrictive in any way. It’s great that students can have a place where they can have fellowship and worship together.” Students feel very comfortable attending the club meetings.
The creators of the club have created a Prayer Box, consisting of students putting in a paper with any of their issues or troubles written down, and the creators will pray over them. After it has been announced, students have been putting notes into the Prayer Box, which happily, the creators have announced and have prayed for them.
With many more meetings to go, the outcome for the Jesus Club is a very sincere feeling for the creators. “Our overall goal of this club is to avoid misconceptions on who Jesus is to students, so we want students to know what Jesus can do for them,” said Tejada. ”We want to spread the love of Jesus to the students who don’t have much support in their personal lives. We want to give them a community that is safe for them to get closer to God.”
Students have gained many friendships and acquaintances who have the same interests and beliefs, which has made the Jesus Club a social and fulfilling environment to its creators and members.
The outcome of the club has been a definite achievement for the creators, knowing that they are bringing the word of God to students who need it. “We want the kids to know that there is someone that loves them so much, and to help them grow their faith if they are lost,” said Alarcon. The creators are very determined to make the Jesus Club a blast for the students.
After planning from the creators, they will start to talk about chapters of the bible to the students, and what those scriptures mean. As time goes, they want to create a close bond with the members of the club and to make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible.
“I think the meetings are so inspirational and I genuinely believe everyone in there is being affected in the best way possible, it’s so nice seeing everyone come together despite any differences to spread the love of Jesus,” said Emily Valdez, member of the club.
