Athens Drive Magnet High School
We are in a season in the life of our church where we’ve called a high school home on Sunday mornings. Because of this, we have the unique opportunity to care for and partner with the school we’re in. This month, we’re excited to share ways the Lord has been at work around us in the community. Here’s an update from one of our King’s Table college students, Ashton Watkins, who serves with Young Life at Athens Drive Magnet High School:
Serving as a Young Life leader at Athens Drive has been such a blessing! When I think about all I have experienced within the community, so many encouraging stories come to mind. For example, being able to help provide weekly meals for the Athens Drive football team before games has been so fun, and I’ve been able to meet a lot of the guys. Another example is what we call “Campaigners” in YoungLife, which is basically a Bible study. There’s a group of 4–5 guys who attend regularly. They are genuinely on fire for the Lord and want to grow in their relationships with Him!
The most rewarding story I can think of is from this past fall, when I took a group of high school guys to camp for the weekend with students from other schools in the area. I got to spend a little over 50 hours with these guys with no phones — which is a long time for the average high schooler to go without technology. During the weekend, I got to talk with each guy individually about both the good and hard things going on in their lives. The camp speaker also shared the Gospel clearly and invited students to respond.
The Holy Spirit spoke in a way that overwhelmed us — some of the guys experienced something they had never seen or felt before. By the end of the weekend, two of the students I brought gave their lives to Christ! When they stood up and declared they had given their lives to Jesus, all of their friends tackled them and celebrated with them. I know there was rejoicing like this in heaven as these students came to know the Lord of all creation!
One of the great things about camp is that we all go together, and we all come home together. Now I get to continue walking alongside these guys as we discuss what it looks like to live a life with real purpose, and how to bring others alongside us as well.
Ashton Watkins | Young Life Leader
As a church, we’ve also been given opportunities throughout the year to care for some of the most vulnerable students at Athens Drive. Through a Thanksgiving Meal Drive, our church provided and delivered 19 holiday meals to families who otherwise would not have had them. Because of your generosity as a church, we’ve also been able to provide meals for the Athens Drive football team, and send vulnerable students home with toiletry bags over spring break.
Please join us in prayer that:
God would continue to use faithful leaders like Ashton to share the gospel to high school students at Athens Drive.
The most vulnerable families at Athens Drive would continue to experience your provision for all of their needs.
Thank the Lord in prayer for the Athens Drive community, and that God has made a way for our church family to be a part of it!
Thank you for caring so well for the Athens Drive community, King’s Table Church!
