New Iberia’s Highland Baptist Church’s goal is to love God and love people, while serving others. At their Christian School, their youth ministry is a big part of that goal. The youth group meets weekly as they grow in their walk with God.

New Iberia’s Highland Baptist Christian School and their students are working together in their walk with God.

The Highland Baptist Christian School is part of the Highland Baptist Church, where students get an education while also learning about the love of God

Their youth group is made up of around 50 members, ranging from ages 7 to 12.

Jeremy Babb serves as the student pastor for Highland Baptist Church. He said their goal and mission at the church as a whole is to love God and love people, while serving others, all in that order.

Babb said Highland Baptist Church exists to be a light in the community and a presence to help others.

“We want everyone to love God, love others, love the world,” Babb said. “We are people who are trying to follow Jesus, and He is the one thing that binds us together.”

Babb said his goal is to set them up to love God, and that starts within each student, adding that if they give their heart to their Savior, then things will happen as they should.

“If their hearts are in the right place, then they will want to do the right thing,” Babb said. “Giving them the desire to set their hearts, their minds and thoughts on Jesus and God’s word, that is what makes a difference.”

The church’s youth ministry meets every Wednesday night in small groups as well as Sunday morning. They also meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

And the students are now more than ever being proactive in the approach to God and His teachings, too.

The students have taken upon themselves to start their own student-led Bible studies in what they call “community-time” and some groups even meet before school for coffee and Bible study.

“There has been a lot of emphasis on trying to deepen their beliefs and become more spiritual… understanding more about God’s word,” Babb said. “And immerse themselves in scripture.”

While students at Highland Baptist Christian School and their youth ministry may be connected to God, that might not be the case for others.

Growing up, Babb said everyone is faced with a choice when it comes to their faith and the bigger picture. He has seen so many come to him and say they want to follow Jesus, but at the same time, they also want to do what is best for them while living their life as a teenager.

“It’s hard to follow God if you want to keep one foot in the world,” Babb said. “It takes commitment and people who are willing to surrender their life to Jesus who is the Lord of their life and take that commitment seriously.”

Babb acknowledged that students at Highland Baptist Christian are spearheading the movement by inviting their friends to join them on their journey, seeing that there is a joy to be serious about your faith.

“A lot of movement starts with young people,” Babb said. “And I can see why because they have the passion.”

If you’re interested in youth ministry, you can reach student pastor Jeremy Babb of Highland Baptist Church at jeremy@hbcni.org.