It’s Friday morning. Most students are still nestled in their blankets, many snoozing their alarms, while others prepare for the day. A group of students settles into a circle of chairs. Some have their Bibles open; others pull out their notebooks. In a quiet corner of the school, these students gather for their weekly Bible study.

“I joined the Bible study group last year as I was invited by Jola and her brother,” senior Michaela Wilson said. “I figured it was a good way to deepen my faith while at school. The club is just a safe space to share our thoughts in Jesus and our faith.”

What begins as a discussion of weekend plans and school work naturally shifts to conversation about faith and morality.

“It actually helps me a lot because at the end of the Bible study we pray on everything that we need help in and for everyone,” senior Victoire Mande said. “Being in the Bible study relieves me from stress from school because there is something I can share with my peers.”While some people hesitate to discuss religious beliefs, Akindebe encourages open dialogue about faith.”When people come to join our Bible studies, we don’t come at them with a condescending tone,” Akindebe said. “Instead, we are very welcoming to those who are still searching, what they want to believe.”

“The biggest challenge is getting people to join the Bible study,” Wilson said. “We want to share this with others but we aren’t that big of a group yet so it’s hard. After a stressful week, we can group together and just confide in each other and the Lord. We read the Bible together and then speak on what the interpretations are and what our own interpretations are. It’s a boiling pot of our ideas and we form one together and discuss its role in our lives.”

The group focuses on creating a comfortable space for people who may not agree with their ideologies.

“You don’t have to agree with everything,” Akindebe said. “We believe in asking questions. I do believe that we can still have unity without having to believe the same thing. You are allowed to disagree with me, and I should be allowed to disagree with you.”

Harrell allows the students to lead the discussions.

“Since I’m not the one leading the Bible study, I haven’t set a goal for the group that meets in my room,” Harrell said. “But ultimately I participate by being present. It’s entirely led by the students, and I’m just here.”The Bible study group is an environment where students can explore moral values and learn from one another.

“Our goal really is to not just teach the Word of God and spread the Word of God, but also welcome those who don’t necessarily know what the Bible teaches,” Akindebe said.  “People assume that the Bible is out there to judge them. Not necessarily. The Bible is a big book of morality, and it teaches a lot of good lessons and a lot of values that I think are crucial for people to understand and learn.”