By Hailey Hans
A new faith discussion group for teens has arrived in Weirton.
Years after Patti Barnabei started Never Alone (a nonprofit, faith-based support group for those with addictions, their loved ones and the community), she felt as if there was “something missing for youth.” A group of teens approached Barnabei at Crossroads Church and told her that they also felt something was missing and expressed feeling alone due to the lack of teens and asked if they could start a group.
Barnabei said after the teens approached her, she thought, “This must be my green light to go.”
Before inviting members to join, Barnabei met with a couple of students where they chose to name the group Club 3:16 after the scripture of John. They also decided to meet every two weeks at Barnabei’s home rather than the church.
They invite teens to come join by word of mouth and also post on Facebook. At the first meeting there were 11 teens in attendance. The highest attendance to date is 25. The teens who actively attend go to three different schools around the Ohio Valley, including Weir, Big Red, and Brooke High School. The first meeting was held on October 22, 2023 and there have been four meetings since.
Topics they have discussed so far include depression, anxiety, bad home life, drug use, career, future goals and treating others the way you want to be treated. At these meetings, a speaker comes and shares their story related to that meeting topic.
At the meeting before Christmas, Barnabei gave each member a teen study bible. She said, “I’m very excited because many of the kids are open to come and share.”
The club will host a testimony night at crossroads church on February 25. A testimony night is a church activity in which the congregation shares and listens to personal testimonies of faith.
At the testimony night all members of the club will have a duty including but not limited to scripture reading, singing, greeters, programs, ushers, and etc. Malachi Stromile, Gianna Truax, and Christian Long will be share there personal testimonies. The group also plans on have activity nights such as bowling and a concert.
Barnabei said, “I have been really blessed with getting to know these teens and it has really touched my heart.”
Club 3:16 member, Kaylee Webster said, “I joined Club 3:16 because I was looking for ways to get close to god.”
