New Club Offered at Concord

Are you looking for a club where you can feel welcomed every time you walk in the door? How about a club where you can learn more about Jesus Christ, have a free dinner and get to meet other students your age? If so, Concord University has welcomed a new club this semester called Vine and Branches, meeting at the Concord United Methodist Church upstairs in the youth room on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 P.M. 

    David Johnson, pastor at the Concord Church moved to Athens, West Virginia from Cincinnati, Ohio this past summer with his wife and friendly dog Wendell. “We weren’t really sure what to expect, we knew that the Athens-Princeton area would be much smaller… We knew Concord University was here and were excited about being able to build relationships with college students,” Johnson said. The foundation of the club is one built upon community and the teachings of Christ, although at first Johnson and his wife Rachael were not sure how everything would fall into place.     

    Last fall, the couple took into their hands to invite students they knew who regularly attended the church and decided to welcome them to their home to share a weekly dinner paired with board games, bible study and overall trying to meet one another. “We encouraged students to invite friends, and the group grew,” Johnson said, “I think Wendell, our super cute and friendly dog, is the unsung hero in this too. Now, the group has outgrown our house to between 10-15 students so we meet at the church. I hope we can keep the homey, relaxed feel of the group but continue to welcome new students into the community.” As the group continued to grow, Johnson knew he wanted to do something with the group. 

    By then, students who continued going each week came upon a solution to incorporate a club by this weekly dinner. Soon, Vine and Branches became an officiated club by the students and Johnson as they went to the University. The group shared ideas each weekly meeting on what they may think they want this group to ultimately grow into, and how they can encourage students to come out to learn more about the group and most importantly, Christ. 

    Taken from ideas Johnson had shared with his time in previous missionaries, together the group decided upon having coffee to become a source of their club. Many people use coffee as a reason to meet and come together, and the group decided they will use this to get attention around campus and to have students come learn more about them. 

    With a grant, this idea was able to come to life as they recently decided to use that to purchase a portable espresso machine. This will allow the group to set up on campus and give away free craft coffee drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. “We hope to host a coffee-shop night about once a month at Concord Church where students can come to hangout, get a coffee drink, and hear some live music or play board games. We will also open up this space for finals time for studying too,” Johnson said. Allie Sears, freshman at Concord University has been one of the first people to have gone to the Tuesday night dinners and has continued to go since. “My favorite part about this club has been getting to know so many new and wonderful people and to learn their perspective on Christianity and the Bible,” Sears said. For anyone who may be reluctant to come, Sears said she would recommend to come to a dinner at least once or twice to check it out. “I had a friend who was reluctant to come at first but now Tuesday night dinner is one of the things she looks forward to throughout the week. As a group, we strive to make any new members feel welcomed and wanted,” Sears said. “Anyone is welcome to come, but I know that can be a bit intimidating at first! I’d say give me a call/text/email and we can meet sometime, or I can have one of our involved students meet you to tell you more. We can also arrange to have someone give you a ride or walk with you,” Johnson said. People from any faith or of no faith background are also encouraged to come. Although the vast majority of the time is spent focusing on the bible Sears says, regardless, come see what the group has to offer. All members are open-minded. If you feel like this group may be your calling or sounds interesting to you, feel free to come check it out! For further information you can contact David Johnson by email at, johnstond@gmail.com or phone/text (859) 462-6224. You can also learn more about Concord Church at the website concordathens.wordpress.com.