Faith takes on many forms and is often expressed in unexpected or taboo places, such as school. What makes Judson High School so unique is the variety of spiritual beliefs expressed and the obvious challenges that follow believing in a faith, internally and externally.

After School Bible Study

Alum Darron Hill started a student-led bible study in January 2023, his junior year, sponsored by marketing teacher, Ms. Debra Diaz. She describes the club simply, “It’s a group of young kids that are coming together just to read a book, and the book happens to be the Bible.”

For Hill, creating this space was deeply personal. He wanted others to experience the sense of community and support his faith brought to his life. The Bible study, dubbed “Judson Revival,” offers a welcoming space for students hungry for something more.

“We realize that some of these kids go back to broken homes, and we wanted to provide a way out. We want to destroy this stigma of Christianity being a bunch of rules, but rather- a love story,” explained Hill.

But originally, getting this message out there was tricky. Hill’s mentor had to work around policies in order to get the club started.

“I’m not the one hosting, it’s been driven by students all together. There’s pathways that we cannot travel on because of issues we would face,” said Ms. Diaz.

As long as “Judson Revival” is kept student-led, and an inclusive club, the gospel is able to be shared. So, because of the circumstances, Darron Hill’s younger sister, Alyssa Hill, has been passed the torch as the student leader.

The first “Judson Revival” meeting was held in January of 2023, with only 15 students in attendance.  More recently on Nov. 15, 141 staff and students attended.

In the classroom

Ms. Diaz is among many teachers proud of their faith at Judson. Dental internship and Pathophysiology teacher, Ms. Mónica Nichols sees her work as saying that, though employed by the district, she feels she ultimately serves a higher purpose.

“Judson ISD hired me but I work for Christ,” she confessed.

Mrs. Nichols’ faith is a core part of her identity, and she finds ways to express it within the guidelines.

“I rock my T-Shirts, I have scriptures everywhere on my computer, my signature for my email says ‘Anything you do for Christ lasts.’“

She attends “Kingdom Life Christian Ministries,”church and has attended one “Judson Revival” meeting.

While many students are eager to explore faith on campus, the law says teachers’ hands are tied when it comes to the amount of expression in the classroom. Everyday, teachers and “Judson Revival” tread a surprisingly fine line.

In the 1962 Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale, the court ruled “Public schools may not prohibit student religious groups from meeting on school grounds after hours”

“Judson Revival” operates within these boundaries, intentionally being held after school and remaining student-led. This guideline also enables Mrs. Nichols’ to display scriptures, because she doesn’t actively teach religion, all while remaining in compliance.

Faith in the Digital Age

Judson harbors many spaces for religious worship, those being FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and “Judson Revival,” but one student felt he had to take it further. Sophomore, Amani Jeleel Fretwell is an online preacher, reading daily devotions on his Instagram page, @daily_christ_devotion.

“One day, I felt a calling to start doing daily devotions, -I did note taking, but one of my friends told me to do a video, [so] I just went for [it],” he said. “I went from having three likes on my post to having 600 the next day. It was such a blessing.”

Fretwell currently possesses over 1,300 followers, most attending Judson High School. He regularly features other students to join him in his daily devotions, sparking a community of like-minded religious peers. Some supportive comments on his posts show just how much impact his short clips have on individuals.

“You are doing the Lord’s work… Keep it up son.” (@_c.h.a.ll.e.n.g.e_)

“I am so grateful and uplifted to hear the word of God.” (@the_hilly_one_101)

“I needed this word. Thank you. Amen” (@tymelgzz)

Fretwell’s online presence shows how social media serves as a platform for faith, bringing together students and peers who might not connect in person.

Staff Startup and Prayer Poster

Craig Rose, Special Education Science teacher, also feels a calling to help those around him. He’s seen what God can do for people’s lives, and that’s why he works at Judson.

Beyond the structured spaces for faith, Rose offers a quiet way for students to reach out. About ten years ago, he hung up the first Prayer Request poster. He simply hangs blank posters titled, “Prayer Requests “ leaving the forms unsupervised throughout the day.

Some students jump on the opportunity to ask for material things, and others ask for help. Rose doesn’t mind, saying what students and teachers go through is “very hard.” He continues making himself available to staff and students to share God with those going through hardship.

“I’ll see a student, [exchange hellos], and I’ll ask them, “Is there something I can do for you?” he said.

He means to show students that he’s “real” and here to help.

For staff, there’s also a dedicated resource for them in their time of need. A new initiative  named the “Servant Care Committee” created and run by Rose, along with counselors at Judson, is accessed through a QR code and a brief form.

“It’s staff loving on staff,” Rose explains. “You go to it in a time of need.”

The committee offers their compassionate support through phone calls, hospital visits, meal deliveries and simply lending a listening ear. It seems a common theme followed is that faith isn’t a personal journey, but something we live out by supporting each other in the community.

Currently, the committee services are only available to staff and their immediate family, but aim to expand their process to students eventually.

There is so much Christian belief in all denominations highlighted around school, but some teachers happen to be more alternative in their beliefs.

Other Faiths

While Christianity is a prominent faith at Judson, two teachers bring a spiritually diverse perspective.

Head of the English department Jasmine Walkes has a unique belief in her set of Herbalism and certain crafts. But Christianity has been ingrained into her as well.

“I’m still quick to go, ‘Oh my God!’ or ‘Jesus!’ I pray, but I don’t even know what I pray to. It’s the action of doing it that I’m used to,” she says. “I believe there’s something out there.”

Similarly, another teacher (who wishes to remain anonymous), feels the same way. “I just believe in God,” they said. “I think God is a unifying force, or an intelligent being, or maybe the universe is smart and mischievous. It’s just experimenting with everything. I know no one knows ‘the truth,’ but we all know some variation of it. There should be a space for everyone.”

They also share the same outlook on an important rule of life. “Treat others fairly.”

Walkes says, “One thing I can say I believe is the golden rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Anonymous similarly states, “I think the true religion is to do right by others.”

Across faith and beliefs, the message of grace and kindness is what unites Judson. “Judson Revival,” social media initiatives and classroom practices may differ in their approach, but in the end, staff and students all strive toward a common purpose of building a supportive space, where our communities can connect and learn on a deeper level.