THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER — Approximately 175 students from Steubenville High and Harding Middle schools gathered at the start of the school year for the annual See You at the Pole event. A growing number of youths have been attending the weekly meetings of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the schools. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — There has been a growing number of students joining the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the Steubenville City School District.

Steubenville High and Harding Middle schools have seen an increase in the number of participants in the group’s membership and activities.

According to Bobbyjon Bauman, president of the Ohio Valley Youth Network and director of the Sycamore Youth Center, he has been impressed by the number of youths who have shown an interest in joining the fellowship.

As organizer of the club for the schools, he explained how the FCA has been a part of the high school tapestry for the past 11 years. The group was active within SHS years ago, although at one point, it was discontinued. Since returning, the numbers have increased.

Assisting Bauman are leader Dale Tombs, Carolyn Buchanan and Kristy Shores.

“Teacher Angelina Forte was the first leader when we started,” Bauman began. “Now, Coach Andy Kidwell is the sponsor.

“These are student-led activities,” he stressed. “I only perform the signature devotional and set the stage. The students are the ones who run the sessions.”

Harding Middle School students meet for Bible study sessions at 7:30 a.m. every Monday before their school day begins. They take turns leading the prayer, Bauman said, noting there are approximately 60 members of the group at the school and an average of 45 members who attend the morning sessions.

Bauman stated the meeting venue at Harding was moved from a classroom to a larger computer room to accommodate extra participants. There were approximately 200 students who appeared at an informational session regarding Sycamore’s after-school classes. The center provides faith-based offerings and various programs to the area’s youth, including after-school programs.

There are approximately 35 high school students on average who attend the weekly, student-led FCA sessions, which are held during both lunch periods every Thursday.

The high school had its largest turnout in five years, according to officials who said there were 45 participants during one of their sessions.

Bauman commented how the organization has gained momentum throughout the years. He offered various possibilities for the surge in numbers.

“FCA is an opportunity for students of the Christian faith to come together and inspire one another,” Bauman explained. “We have Bible study and also run the See You at the Pole activity. We had 175 students at the high school attend the See You at the Pole event on Sept. 25, and used a speaker from the Sycamore center. Then, students formed a line to say prayers. There is a movement of the Holy Spirit within all of the schools. I have seen growth and there is something going on within the culture at large, maybe, post-COVID. Maybe today’s youths are seeking a deeper meaning in life. It would seem that Christianity is new to a lot of them. I think people are genuinely interested in learning about God, so FCA is one place where, if they want to learn about God, they can learn there.”

Bauman said there is a movement in God’s spirit at times. The FCA provides opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to congregate. Not all members are athletes. Some have participated at the Sycamore Youth Center. He said the center conducts a Sonshine Bible Club and Vagabond Ministries and offers an array of opportunities.

Examples have included the performance of the African Children’s Choir in October, a Veterans Day event and the Valley’s Got Talent competition in November, where 20 acts appeared and competed in the Christian-based contest for a $1,500 prize.

Bauman said the youths’ involvement in Sycamore’s activities has parlayed into their interest in the FCA.

“I’ve been working with these kids for a long, long time and have built that relationship with them,” he said.

Student leaders at the high school include sophomore Santino Haney and juniors Beau Hudson and JoJo Rea. Haney said his participation has given him courage to find his voice.

“I was involved in church and started getting into faith and religion,” Haney said. “It benefits a lot of students and there was a big growth within members last year. I enjoy seeing everybody and being able to gather with them and relating with them in that aspect. I’ve learned a lot and it has helped with public speaking.”

He added he has noticed more students attending FCA, as it is a comfortable place in which to gather.

He noted he has grown more confident in speaking publicly during these sessions and during the annual See You at the Pole event, held at the start of the school year.

“I am thrilled to see this student-led club has been growing in all of the area schools throughout the last year,” Bauman concluded. “It shows there is a great hunger for meaning in life and for students to have a desire to connect with God and other Christian young adults. In the 12 years I have been a part of FCA, this is the largest amount of students I have seen involved in our local schools.”