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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

School is back in session, and clubs are getting back together to plan the upcoming year.

At Verbena High School, the Fellowship of Christian Students will have its first meeting of the semester next week.

Sponsor Angela Owen’s motto for the group is “to make Heaven crowded.”

“Show the students that they can have a real tangible relationship with God that can last throughout their life and it is not just something that you happen to come (to), and it stops at the club or it stops at church, but that it is something that can happen 24/7,” Owen said.

This will be Owen’s first full year as sponsor and she is hoping to secure donated supplies for the club.

“I was thinking how do I know how to love God and make disciples,” Owen said.

A Bible was the first essential that came to mind. She developed a wish list on Amazon to have a simple way for people to donate.

“So, my wish list is 100 Bibles, 100 journals and just other things to make it more personal,” Owen said.

Those interested in donating can access the wish list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/J3FXK9JWW607?ref_=wl_share .

Each club meeting opens with a game, and then includes a lesson and a time of prayer.

Owen said the club meeting gives students a place to open up about what is going on in their lives.

“In loving God and loving people, you have to vulnerable,” Owen said. “That is the only way a real relationship will work.”

It is also a time for students “to be uplifted and encouraged and know that there’s people praying for them and believing for them and standing with them,” she said.

Many of the previous members are returning this year, including Kaliyahan Dejarnett and Kourtney Benson.

“If I was having a bad day that day, it would uplift me and keep me going, and I would have a better day after that because talking about God, it lets me know that I am loved and that I have people around me that care for me,” Dejarnett said.

Benson said she has enjoyed the opportunity to “share the gospel with people who really need it,” and there is always “something that sticks out” to her from the weekly lesson.

She said the club can be a bright spot in the middle of a tough week.

FCS member Jason Fowler, who is starting his fifth year in the club, said he has enjoyed “getting to meet new people” and building relationships with other Christians.

“Being a part of FCS has changed me,” Fowler said.

He said it has helped him become more comfortable talking in groups and in front of people. He plans to lead one of the devotionals this year.

“I like how everyone can get involved in this club,” Benson said.

Jasmin Moates said she has enjoyed “getting closer to everybody” through the club.

The club has also participated in volunteer opportunities. Dejarnett and Benson said they went to The Gardens of Clanton last year to deliver Valentine’s Day baskets and sing for the residents. Moates also commented that this was one of the activities she had enjoyed. Fowler said pre-COVID, the group also went to Hatley Health Care.

The club also hosted a teacher appreciation lunch last year.

Owen said this year she hopes to have the students volunteer at some food ministries and visit The Gardens of Clanton to sing for the residents.