June 2018 – Five in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Thirteen in Columbine, Colorado. Seventeen in Parkland, Florida. And many others. American kids killed in their schools by classmates.

As authorities debate solutions, God is already moving. From coast to coast, student-led Bible clubs are gathering on campuses, and He is changing hearts, lives, and schools.

West Coast wave
A lifelong Californian, Brian Barcelona of One Voice Student Missions told AFA Journal, “It’s funny when people say to me, ‘God’s moving in California!’ I am like, ‘Yeah, that’s pretty normal, you know.’

“These kids are so receptive to the gospel, and I think Jesus intentionally did this, to eliminate every excuse of anyone in America as to why God can’t move anywhere.”

In truth, Barcelona’s student-led meetings are anything but normal. His book The Jesus Club recounts how Barcelona, as a relatively new Christian, heard God’s call: “Brian, I want to release a movement that will save the high schools of America. And I want to use your life to do it.”

Eighteen-year-old Barcelona answered God’s call and found himself back at the school from which he had just graduated. Considering he had entered Elk Grove High as a very troubled sophomore, it was miraculous Barcelona got back in the door.

Not only did the door open, God moved mightily at Elk Grove through a Bible club already in place. The club sponsor and student president let Barcelona speak biweekly to their lunchtime club.

With only four students initially attending, Barcelona shared how Jesus had changed his own life. Within moments, three students tearfully surrendered to Jesus. Before the school year ended, over 800 students encountered Jesus.

From four kids at one school in 2009, Barcelona eventually established One Voice Student Missions, with Jesus Clubs currently on 70 campuses, reaching 10,000 students weekly. This fall, One Voice will reach every student in the Los Angeles United School District.

“Through these club meetings, we’ve seen obvious healing miracles; we’ve seen God touch people’s lives,” said Barcelona. “But the greatest miracle is the salvation of kids in today’s generation.

“It’s a sign and a wonder, a miracle that kids are receptive to the gospel the way they are today. So, for someone to say, ‘I don’t believe in miracles,’ they’re saying they don’t believe in the salvation of young people. To me, one of the greatest miracles we can see is a human soul coming to Christ.”

As Jesus Clubs spread throughout America, Barcelona believes campus revivals will grow. As God reminded him, “As goes California, so goes the nation.”

East Coast echo
As Barcelona completed his first ministry year at Elk Grove, a young minister in Kentucky was experiencing a horrible tragedy.

Joel Rowland’s parents were killed by a drunk driver in July 2010. Rowland immediately assumed responsibility for his 16-year-old sister and the pastorate of his father’s church.

For several years, Rowland relied upon the hope and forgiveness found in Christ to carry out those responsibilities. Then, their church partnered with area schools to sponsor First Priority Clubs.

“It was absolutely life changing to see First Priority impact kids and their families,” Rowland told AFAJ. “My wife and I felt God leading us into full-time work with this ministry.

“We prayed God would show us where. Almost immediately, we discovered Raleigh, North Carolina, was America’s fastest growing city and felt that was where God wanted us.”

Sure enough, First Priority contacted them with a ministry offer for Clayton, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh. So, the Rowlands packed and moved to Clayton in February 2016.

“First Priority empowers local churches with strategies to help students live and share the gospel at school,” Rowland explained. “It’s kids leading kids to Christ, but it starts with the church.

“So, I began visiting churches, looking to partner with pastors who would ultimately minister to kids and families reached through First Priority.”

Those partnerships have been successful, with nearly 2,000 students currently attending area First Priority Clubs. One-hundred-ten students responded to the gospel in January and February alone, with over 1,500 Bibles given to students wanting them.

“When these kids give their hearts to Christ, it impacts their entire families,” said Rowland. “Not a week goes by that I don’t get emails from parents saying how much First Priority means to them.

“As churches reach out to kids and their families, inviting them to visit services and helping with everyday needs, their congregations grow.”

Legal riptides
Barcelona and Rowland share a sense of urgency for evangelizing American students.

In fact, Barcelona said, “It’s excuseless to not reach a school.”

Many believers might disagree, believing these clubs violate the separation of church and state.

Mat Staver, attorney and founder of Liberty Counsel, spoke with AFAJ in hopes of debunking that fallacy.

“Here’s the bottom line,” said Staver. “Public schools, all the way from kindergarten to twelfth grade, cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints when they allow other similar secular clubs or viewpoints on campus.

“For example, if they allow Boy Scouts, they must allow Good News Clubs, which are K-5 Christian after-school clubs. If they allow chess club, they must allow Fellowship of Christian Athletes.”

Staver also contrasted two laws that guarantee free speech rights for believers.

“There’s the Equal Access Act (EAA), which is a federal law, and there’s the First Amendment,” said Staver. “The First Amendment is broader than the EAA, providing more protection than the EAA.

“Applying only to public secondary schools, the EAA also requires clubs be student initiated and student led. You can have a school sponsor or chaperone, but they’re not supposed to be leading the club.”

However, according to Staver, the First Amendment applies to all grades, kindergarten through twelfth, and does not require clubs be student led.

“Equal access under the First Amendment means equal access to the facility, equal treatment, and equal benefits,” said Staver.

Let billows roll
“I think these clubs are critically important because many young people will never come to church,” added Staver. “You need to take church to them. This is an opportunity, a mission field, to take the Good News to students in public schools.”

Barcelona and Rowland concur.

“We want to offer the hope of Christ to every student in America,” declared Rowland.

“It’s no longer a reason as to why someone can’t get onto the campus,” Barcelona said. “It’s more about their willingness to go.”   

RESOURCES
firstpriority.club
888-808-3762

ovsm.com
626-398-2146

Before starting a Bible club, Liberty Counsel advises: Learn/follow all district procedures; establish times/places, fees, and privileges afforded other clubs; and try working with established ministries such as Good News Clubs, Jesus Clubs, or First Priority. Contact Liberty Counsel for further guidance at lc.org.

The Jesus Club by Brian Barcelona is available at online or retail bookstores.