Safe Space
Berkley volunteers in Highland Students, leading 7th grade girls through the Confirmation process. After being told about the volunteer opportunity by her sister-in-law, Berkley jumped at the chance to invest in young students the way her mentors did for her as a child. She shares, “They’re so curious about their faith at this age and want to explore it on their own. I want to be there for them and be that safe space where they can ask questions.”
As a Confirmation volunteer, Berkley walks alongside students as they explore the Christian faith. Helping to facilitate deep conversations among the small group, Berkley’s own curiosity has been reignited. She shares, “They have so many questions about their faith and want to explore it on their own. It’s so incredible to be able to view our faith through their eyes.”
The Confirmation process lasts for two semesters, inviting students to take a deeper look at their walk with Jesus. For some kids, Confirmation is a place for them to learn more about the faith they have already been living in. For other kids, Confirmation is a welcoming place to explore who God is and lays a foundation for them to follow Jesus later in their life. Berkley shares that their curiosity and discussion “makes me want to be better with my own faith. Seeing how much they trust God’s word reminds me to do the same.”
While on the Confirmation retreat, their small group of girls grew comfortable asking deep questions and discussing their beliefs with one another. Creating a place of comfort for the girls to open up, Berkley helped them grow in confidence in their faith over the weekend away. She shares, “They’re all so vocal, which is amazing because they aren’t afraid to talk about their faith with their friends. I pray that they don’t lose that light within themselves as they grow older.”
The students’ questions, enthusiasm, and independence remind us that it’s okay to not have all the answers. Our knowledge of God and his word is a life-long pursuit, one that we invite students to begin by fostering their curiosity about Christianity from a young age.
You can be a part of leading the next generation to find and follow Jesus by volunteering in Highland Students. Visit hppres.org/students to learn more.
