The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – The need for faith-based outreach and support for local youth was the focus of a recent banquet, hosted by Bill and Sharon Hilker. Presentations were given by Teen Tuesday founder DeAnn Stull and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Area Representative Wyatt Harmon, and Metro area FCA director Vince Croce. The goal of the FCA partner banquet was to fully fund Wyatt’s position for the entire community.
Stull shared the growth of Teen Tuesday, which began as a small gathering of girls before expanding to separate boys and girls groups and eventually becoming a weekly co-ed program. She said many students are facing significant challenges, including anxiety, loneliness, addiction, depression and struggles with identity.
“The truth is there are students in our schools right now who are hurting, anxious, lonely, struggling with identity, struggling with addiction, struggling with depression and simply looking for somewhere to belong,” Stull said. Stull noted that two members of the Class of 2026 at Alleghany High School died by suicide and said she has personally heard stories from Teen Tuesday participants who have survived suicide attempts.
She emphasized the importance of organizations such as Teen Tuesday and FCA in reaching students who may not attend church. “Some students may never walk into a church building, but they might show up to an FCA club day or Teen Tuesday because a friend invited them,” Stull said. “They might come for a free dinner, ask questions during a breakout session or hear that Jesus loves them before they hear anything else.”
Stull said having a dedicated FCA area representative can help strengthen outreach efforts by building relationships with students, supporting coaches and student leaders, connecting schools and coordinating ministry opportunities throughout the region. “There are hundreds of students that we have not reached yet,” she said. “They are sitting in the cafeteria, walking hallways and attending practices every day and desperately need hope, encouragement and somebody willing to invest in them.”
She said cooperation between FCA and Teen Tuesday creates more opportunities to reach students and pointed to examples of students worshipping, asking questions about faith, inviting friends and stepping into leadership roles.
Harmon, who serves as FCA’s area representative, shared his personal testimony and path to ministry. A native of Hot Springs, Harmon attended Bath County High School, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball and golf. He said much of his identity during his teenage years was tied to athletics, particularly baseball. “I wanted people to look at me and say, ‘Man, he’s good,'” Harmon said.
After entering college, Harmon became involved with an FCA group on campus, where he developed a personal relationship with God and accepted Christ. He went on to say that reading about Christ’s crucifixion and sacrifice made his faith personal and helped him understand the significance of Jesus dying for his sins. During an FCA mission trip, Harmon said he felt God calling him into ministry. Although he initially set that calling aside, he eventually answered it and pursued a life of ministry.
Today, Harmon said he is committed to reaching young people through FCA. Harmon’s responsibilities currently include serving students throughout the Alleghany Highlands, and he hopes to expand FCA’s presence into Bath and Highland counties as well as local middle schools. Both speakers stressed the importance of providing students with support systems, positive relationships and opportunities to explore faith as they navigate challenges both in and out of school.
If you would like more information on Teen Tuesday’s you can email DeAnn Stull at TeentuesdayAlleghany@gmail.com. Wyatt can be reached at wharmon@fca,org.
