One student who has made a lasting impact on me came to club every week, but for a long time, she kept to herself. She was incredibly shy and almost always sat quietly on her phone. While the other students played games or talked, she rarely joined in. We continued to welcome her each week, trusting that simply showing up and building relationships mattered. One night, we decided to change things up. Instead of our usual Bible study, we invited the students to ask us any questions they had about faith, life, or the Bible. To my surprise, this quiet student immediately began asking thoughtful, heartfelt questions. One question that has stayed with me ever since. She asked, “How can I be a light in my school when it’s so hard to even open up my Bible, let alone be a light in public school?, When people put you down for being a Christian.” In that moment, I realized there was so much more going on beneath the surface. The student who had seemed disengaged was actually wrestling with deep questions about following Jesus and wanted to know how to live out her faith. She just needed a safe place where she felt comfortable enough to ask. Since then, she has continued to open up more and more. She talks with leaders, joins conversations, builds friendships with other students, and actively participates in club. Watching her grow in confidence has been a powerful reminder that we never know what God is doing in a student’s heart. Sometimes all they need is a place where they know they are loved, accepted, and free to ask hard questions.

EMMA KUHL,  71Five City Coordinator – Grants Pass

(541) 295-5458 | emma@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

EMMA KUHL,  71Five Director – Grants Pass

(541) 295-5458 | emma@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

At Middle School 71Five Camp this past summer, I got the opportunity to be the worship leader. Through this experience, I was able to pour into and mentor kids and encourage them to grow in their faith. On the second day of camp I met a teen girl who was eager to come to worship practice and learn. On the fourth night I felt the spirit stir in me to talk to her and hear her story. I had found out that she had come from a rough home life and was on her own. Through our conversation, she shared, “I really don’t know Jesus.” I shared with her the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find the one, and I saw that it finally clicked with her, Jesus’ love for her. During the last night of camp, she stood up and said “I’m on team Jesus!” with teary eyes in her eyes, we witnessed a light in her shine. She then got baptized that evening and came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and said thank you for taking the time to pour into me. 

EMMA KUHL,  71Five Director – Grants Pass

(541) 295-5458 | emma@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB