Christianity is considered the world’s most practiced religion. One of the many advantages Niles West has to offer is that the school exposes its students to religous diversity. There’s Qur’an study and Hebrew club, but very few students know about H20, otherwise known as Humble to One.
For those who may not know, H20 is actually used by many Christian clubs in schools in the Chicagoland area. What sounds like a club for swimmers and divers really turns out to be a youth group where students can bond through playing games, reading and studying the bible, sharing stories, and praying. The club does more than just bible studies and welcomes non-christians. It is basically a great place for students to cope with stress and other difficulties.
“H20 isn’t some secret cult where only selected students can come. It is open to everyone. It is a Christian based club where we do believe that what the Bible says is truth, and the club’s hope is that people would come to know the peace and joy that is found inJesus that this world cannot offer. It is not something that is forced upon people, but shared with people out of love. The groupdoes a variety of things like play games, have discussions, community service, and have large gatherings with other H20 clubs in the area,” says sponsor for 11 years and math teacher, Ryan Geu.
In the hopes of trying to get closer together in a spiritual sense, one of the club leaders, sophomore Connie Dang, steers the club of 14 students sitting in a circle. She offers them to share their testimonies (stories that describe their spiritual journey). The fact that students are able to open up and participate in such a personal topic already shows that they are close to reaching their goal.
Dang reads one of her favorite bible passages from Acts 4:32-37 ” All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. One of our visions for H2O should be the concept of sharing and to be non-judgemental.”
“Going to this club is more than a church experience, it’s more than listening to someone preach. It’s something I really like, and it’s an awesome way to connect with peers,” says junior Joy Sherman.
H2O meets every other Tuesday in the Literacy Center classroom.
