Franklin, Tennessee—The Nashville and Murfreesboro young adult group has long held bi-monthly Bible studies and get-togethers, but perhaps none in the group’s history has had quite as high of a turn-out as the gathering on March 19, where a pitch-in taco bar brought 35 young adults to a local members’ home.

In 2020, the group moved to virtual meetings to keep the spirit alive, but in the roughly 18 months that practice was in effect, more than a few couples had children, several individuals and couples aged out of the group, and a handful of teens aged into the group. The first real meeting in person again at the end of 2021 was almost an entirely different group than the one which had originally formed in 2017.

The dynamics have changed a little—grandmas, grandpas and other older folks now attend to wrangle the half dozen children under age 4 during the discussion—but the spirit of fellowship and discipleship continues.

Discipleship is the long-running, evergreen source of study and discussion covered by pastor Gary Petty during the meetings. It’s a wellspring of practical, relatable and relevant topics for all Christians, but in particular young people living in an increasingly secular society.

Following the tacos and study was a discussion of a service project to help an orphanage in Africa. The group discussed ways to help organize efforts to gain access to aid that’s available through various charities.

The meetings are a welcome source of camaraderie, drawing the group together and serving as a designated time and space to edify one another and discuss ways to better serve the Church. The tacos aren’t bad either!