Student Life Group
For the last two years, Caleb Gravely and Josh Pruitt have been meeting with a Student Life Group once a week here at East Cooper. During this time, they play basketball, catch up on the week, and read God’s Word together. This intentional time of being in fellowship with one another in a Student Life Group is the primary place for discipleship in the High School Ministry. “I’ve found that the best way to send students into the world as followers of Jesus with a lifelong relationship with Him is to provide them with opportunities to be discipled and to disciple others,” Alec Emenhiser, High School Pastor, shared. “It helps them practice a weekly rhythm to meet with other believers and have an ownership of God’s call on their lives to make disciples.”
Student Life Groups are student-led Bible studies that focus on Scripture, prayer, and accountability. Caleb and Josh meet weekly with Alec to be discipled and then meet with this group of younger students to disciple them. Reflecting on the impact serving alongside being discipled has had on his life, Josh shared, “I lead a group because I see that it has a lasting impact. The seed that was planted in me as a participant actually grew. Now, I am seeing how the Lord is changing guys I’m leading from year to year. It is really encouraging.” Both Josh and Caleb remarked that the opportunity to disciple others has strengthened their own walk significantly. Caleb and Josh both came to faith at East Cooper, and Alec has had the privilege of watching them grow in their love for Jesus and other students during their time in the High School Ministry.
Growing up at East Cooper Baptist Church, Caleb heard the gospel regularly in the Kid’s Ministry and at home from his parents. On his fifth birthday, he looked around at his party and gifts and felt unsatisfied like there should be more joy in his heart. He remembered the truth that he had been told his whole life, that ultimate satisfaction and joy was found only in knowing Jesus. “I realized that I believed that was true. Christ died on the cross for me and offered me the comfort and fulfillment I was looking for,” Caleb shared. He prayed that afternoon to be forgiven of his sins and sought to follow Jesus.
Josh also grew up in a Christian home and attended a Christian school but did not live a life that honored Christ. As he entered high school, Josh found his identity in sports, specifically basketball. During his sophomore year, he was cut from the basketball team and started considering his true purpose. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:20, Josh realized that he was not living as an ambassador of Christ. He began studying the Bible with Alec and other students in the High School Ministry and surrendered his life to Jesus.
As they both grew in their knowledge of Christ and desire for others to know Him, Josh and Caleb moved into the roles of leaders in the High School Ministry. “They lead together well and are selfless in their desire to disciple others. Seeing Caleb move into the role of leading a group has been really encouraging. He cares for people so well and can easily connect with them and invite them into gospel conversations. Josh is gifted in communicating God’s Word to people and can connect with other guys on a deep level. It has been one of the biggest encouragements during my time as the High School Pastor to disciple these guys and watch them grow and mature,” Alec shared.
This model of discipleship through student life groups allows students like Caleb and Josh to grow spiritually while also being challenged to teach others. It is encouraging to see the multiplication of faith happening in the student ministry as student leaders learn what it means to follow Jesus and grow in community. As Caleb and Josh graduate high school, they are equipped with the skills to go out and live a life that is honoring and obedient to Christ.