"There was nothing for the public high school kids,” says Andrews enrollment coordinator Maria Long about her experience as a public high school student. “I wanted someone to look up to, someone cool enough to hang out with, but who didn’t know everything.” Long’s experience inspired her to start The Basement, a new weekly ministry at Andrews University designed specifically for public high school students.

Long says The Basement is “all about relationship.” To facilitate these relationships, Long employs the talent and energy of a group of Andrews students, many with their own background in public high schools. These leaders form accountability and prayer teams that interact with the teens on a highly personal level, creating an environment in which students can share their lives and prayers with one another. Throughout the week, leaders keep in touch with their “kids” by calling them or bringing them lunch at school. According to Long, “the leaders are leaders 24/7. The kids can call any time, and we’ll do anything for these kids.”

The Basement has been growing since week one. Nine kids showed up the first week, but attendance increased to fifteen by the next. By week three, the number had jumped to an amazing 47. Each week, students return excited about The Basement. Josh Hollobaugh, a junior at Berrien Springs Public High School, says that for him, “The Basement is a lot like a family. I feel comfortable with every person here and know that they will listen and pray for me.”

Not only is The Basement a meaningful part of the lives of the students, but it also has had a powerful impact on its leaders. Long says, “These are amazing kids. They’re amazing to us and so important in our lives. They taught us what The Basement is.”

Kristen Denslow, University Relations student news writer