Noemi Gallego saw the power of the high school ministry taking place at the public school in Fresno, and it inspired her to encourage a campus ministry be started at the public schools in her city, Visalia. “My sister would take her son and I would take my son, and we would help out. We saw how incredible it was that we were able to go on a public high school campus and share Bible studies—share about God!” she said.
Gallego requested the leader, Mike Carter, to start a similar campus ministry at the nearby Central Valley Public School in Visalia. But instead of starting another campus ministry, Carter encouraged Gallego to lead out in the ministry at Visalia. Although she was hesitant to direct the ministry, she realized Carter was right that it is much more about the power of this ministry than about the leader. This led her to begin the public school campus club in the spring of 2024.
The ministry itself is very simple. Students at local public schools are allowed to meet during lunch period in one of the designated classrooms and study the Bible, eat lunch, talk about God, and share with each other about their personal spiritual experiences. But the power of this happening on public school campuses opens the doors to students connecting with God who would not normally have the opportunity.
In order for a ministry like this to happen at a public school, the most important starting piece is students who are willing to request that the group be started. If a student wants to meet and discuss a topic—even if it is God—it is allowed in a public school. The second important piece is that a teacher provides the space. The teacher simply needs to be willing to be in the classroom and allow the students to use the classroom.
Gallego knew a student at the Mount Whitney High School in Visalia who had recently begun attending the Adventist Church. The student requested this group be started at her school, and Gallego and Carter were able to connect with a teacher at the school who was able to host the group. “And then my husband had a coworker, and his son was telling my husband that he wanted to start something at his school,” explained Gallego. “He felt like his youth group really wasn't meeting the needs. And Mike told me, ‘That's perfect. You have students. You just to find teachers who are willing to open up the classroom.’” He emailed a few teachers at the Redwood High School in Visalia, and right away teachers responded saying the students could use their classrooms.
These groups started with about 15 students attending each one and talking about God. The food is all provided by the local Adventist churches, and the students lead out in discussions related to the Bible and God’s impact on their lives. The ministries now have about 30-40 students attending each one on a weekly basis, many of whom would not have connected with the Adventist Church. Another group was also recently started at Visalia Technical Early College High School.
Recently, a student who was looking for a study hall happened to walk into one of the groups. As a self-proclaimed atheist, she made everyone aware she was in the wrong room. However, she decided to stay and listen, and she has continued to attend. “Then last week she showed up and she said, ‘You know, at Thanksgiving my grandma needed somebody to pray. I told her I'd accidentally gone into this Bible class, so I think I can pray,’” said Gallego. After only attending one club meeting at the school, the student volunteered to offer the Thanksgiving prayer in front of her family.
Gallego encourages anyone who is able to attend a public school Bible study to set aside time and visit one of the campus ministries. “I tell people to come see it because it's almost like you need to see it to know how amazing it is. We can't even believe it when we're there!” she added.
This powerful impact can happen at all public schools throughout the conference. If you are interested in learning more about how to start a Bible study group on your local public school campus or attend one of the on-campus groups, reach out to Mike Carter at (808) 393-5764.
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