Statistics show a shift among American youth to emphasizing the Christian faith. According to Barna.com, Gen Z, Millennials, and particularly, young males, are the biggest drivers of a significant shift in those expressing a belief in Jesus in recent years.

If numbers are anything to go by, there also seems to be a resurgence in faith at FCHS this year. As noted in a recent article on the Beat, the number of athletes and non-athletes attending the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has increased from a few dozen in previous years to as many as 110 this year, making it currently the biggest club at FCHS.

“FCA is not just for athletes. In fact, I would say the majority who attend FCA are not athletes. We do have a strong athlete attendance, but we strive to make a point that this club is for non-athletes and athletes. All students are welcome,” said FCA Club Sponsor and Special Education teacher Marcia Guthrie.

More students at FCHS appear to be open about being regular church goers as well, possibly as a result of students inviting other students to local churches like Calvary Chapel Fluvanna, Lake Christian, Effort Baptist, and The Point in Charlottesville, to name a few.

The Point Church, for example, appears to have attracted a number of FCHS students due to its student life opportunities. Established in 2009, The Point is located in Charlottesville on Pantops and offers three Sunday morning services. The church’s stated mission is to make disciples who love God, aiming to impact Central Virginia and beyond.

For an increasing number of students and staff at FCHS, Sunday mornings–and often week nights–have become more than just a routine. They’ve become a source of strength, belonging, and spiritual growth, regardless of where these students choose to worship.

“Our family has been attending The Point for the last 14 years, and it’s amazing to see that now there are far more students showing up regularly to church and living out their faith in God,” said FCHS teacher Elizabeth Pellicane. “I like sharing what Pastor Gabe [Turner] says: ‘Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.’ I think that is especially true in high school, and being involved in a local church can keep students grounded at a crucial time in their lives,” she added.

That kind of grounding is what many students say they are experiencing.

“As a teenager, The Point helps my growth because there are a lot of other kids my age who are in the same situation as me. Seeing them show up motivates you to grow, learn about yourself, and grow your faith,” said senior Benjamin Denby. “Over the past year that I have been going consistently, my mental health, self-doubt, and overthinking have improved tremendously. It gives me something to lean on and someone that will always be there for me,” he said.

 Junior William Lambert also attends the Point regularly. “There’s a genuine sense of togetherness and belonging, where people care for one another. It’s a place where you feel welcomed, no matter where you are in your faith journey,” he said.

Support and spiritual depth are key elements for students, like Lambert, who have found that attending a church or being in a youth group provides a guiding light and a place of mentorship. “The teaching at The Point has been instrumental in deepening my understanding of scripture,” said Lambert. “There have been specific sermons that spoke directly to my struggles and helped me grow in my faith.”

A major part of that connection comes through Student Life, The Point’s midweek ministry for students.

“Wednesday night youth group is where I feel most connected. Hearing others share and getting to talk openly about life and faith makes me feel supported. Also, the way leaders genuinely care and check in with us means a lot,” said junior Allison Rhoades.

Closer to home, Fluvanna has a number of churches and places that offer youth group opportunities for students. These include Calvary Chapel Fluvanna, which hosts a Monday night Bible study for teen boys at 7 p.m., and the local chapter of Young Life, a national youth group, which regularly sees dozens of Fluvanna students meeting at the house of freshman Turner Gretz. The group meets Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at 123 Island Hill Road.

Junior Molly McCall says that at her church, Lake Christian, “The youth group is amazing and it is full of wonderful people. I love going to LCC because it is a place where I know I am never alone, and I learn how to live more like Jesus.”

If you are looking for a local place to worship, here are just a few places in Fluvanna and Charlottesville:

The Point
155 Hansen Rd, Charlottesville, Virginia
https://www.thepointva.com/

Lake Christian
733 S Boston Rd, Palmyra, Virginia
https://lccpalmyra.com/

Calvary Chapel Fluvanna –
2772 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Palmyra, Virginia
https://ccfluvanna.com/

Effort Baptist Church
7820 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy
Palmyra, VA 22963
http://effortchurch.org/