Club is destinationfor searching teens

Young Life group for students has helped change lives

Two years ago, a group of 30 teenagers met in a family's basement. Young Life at Bob Jones High School now has 126 members with hopes to found new groups.

Young Life helps teenagers grow socially, mentally and spiritually, sponsor and chemistry teacher Melanie Pickens said. "We want to build relationships with teens who are hurting or feeling overwhelmed with life. Or, just be positive influences to give encouragement.

"As leaders, our hope is that kids will see the love of Jesus in our lives. We're available if they want to talk to us about Jesus, but we never push kids into 'religion,' " Pickens said.

In high school, Pickens was involved with a similar group. "I remember how much fun it was." She was excited to lead the Bob Jones group.

As a public school teacher, "my hands are somewhat tied when it comes to sharing my faith. Still, God has put this huge love of teenagers into my heart," Pickens said. "I've seen Young Life change kids' lives."

Membership is open to all. "We're a very diverse group ?athletic types, science nerds, kids with piercings and every skin color," she said.

Students are hungry for relationships and looking for a positive environment to hang out with peers, Pickens said about the club's growth. "They would never admit this, so we make it fun as an excuse."

Young Life currently meets on Monday at 8:08 p.m. at Kenny Mango's Coffee, 97 Hughes Road.

Why 8:08 p.m.? "Because it makes people ask why," Pickens said. A typical meeting includes upbeat music and songs, games, maybe a skit and a brief talk. Meetings end at 9 p.m.

Young Life will take a ski trip to Colorado during Christmas break and attend camp next summer. Scavenger hunts around town are another diversion.

Pickens shares the weekly work with other leaders such as kindergarten teacher Pam Lumpkin, engineer Becky Anderson, construction manager Clark Crosson, stay-at-home mom Stacey Davis, college student Matt Denton, high school senior Luigi Chunn and youth minister Tom Parker.

"We're searching for about six more adult leaders," Pickens said. They hope to train enough leaders to start Young Life at other schools.

Sarah Pickens is a charter member in the Bob Jones group. "I had gone to the Huntsville Young Life club and thought it was really fun." New to Madison, Pickens saw the opportunity to make friends.

"I love getting away from the stress of the school week to have fun with my friends and play crazy games," Pickens said.

Senior Destiny Morton has participated in Club Beyond, or Young Life's equivalent on military bases. After moving to Madison, Morton wanted to continue that affiliation.

"I enjoy how we can introduce and bring people to Christ," Morton said. She's proud of new friendships and "how we can still hang out together outside of Young Life."