The Christian Student Union (CSU) was re-initiated after its semesters-long hiatus, by Seniors Hannah Barrios Ruano and Samuel Jimenez Barahona. CSU’s hiatus was due to the unfortunate recent passing of the previous advisor, Mr. McCollaum, a teacher loved by many.
Club President Barrios explains the reason behind her decision to re-initiate the club was because “CSU was the first club I joined in high school.” Through the club, she came to “love the community it offered” as well as felt the “responsibility to continue offering this community to our school” and for the people who attended years before.
CSU was re-initiated in hopes that it would provide a space that, Vice President Jimenez expressed, would “re-open a place where Christians could unite and grow in spirit alongside others.” Both Barrios and Jimenez share an agreed hope that “members walk out of (CSU) meetings with an understanding about Jesus.”
Barrios also adds that she hopes members “walk out with confidence that they are not alone with their struggles because they have a community that will support them.” By creating a community that reflects the religion’s foundational belief, Barrios and Jimenez express the desire to “give people an opportunity to see the love of Christ.”
As a religiously-affiliated club, Barrios shares that “Non-Believers can expect [that CSU] offers a community to them as well.” Both Barrios and Jimenez express that everyone is expected and allowed to have “their own separate opinions and personal relationship with faith.”
Barrios emphasizes that CSU does not limit membership as it is an open community that is “here to support anyone who wants to understand more about Jesus.” CSU welcomes any curious minds that want to learn more or explore the faith.
Following the most recent gathering of their Thanksgiving Potluck, the club plans to have other gatherings and community service events in the near future. Through each meeting that starts with a prayer followed by a lesson point, members are able to learn more about Christianity and have a chance at fostering as well as deepening their own relationship with the faith.
As CSU continues to welcome and support students of all beliefs, the club provides a community and space for students to build meaningful friendships. CSU also provides an opportunity, for those interested, to experience the love the club strives to share through their faith.
