Responsible for building relationships with students, Calhoun cited the monthly small group Bible studies with freshman to senior girls as one of the most important outreaches of the youth group. Additionally, BASE holds a purity night for its students.
"The youth group promotes purity by having a gals/guys night. We recently had one of these nights; we started out with a skit for the girls, which showed how once you give your heart away (sometimes even just a piece), it effects the end result of who gets it…We also have a night when we sign contracts to stay pure [until marriage]," Calhoun said.
The senior pastor of Evangelical Free Church of Clear Lake, Dan Jordan, also has spoken with students about how purity within dating can be accomplished.
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Calhoun also likes to set a personal example by wearing a purity ring on her wedding finger. "It's a great conversation starter because it's on my wedding ring finger. I've gotten chances to explain to the girls why I wear it, and purity is so important. I try to work purity into my small group lessons and talk to some of the girls one-on-one to see where they are at with their purity—if they are struggling or just have lots to say about purity."
Calhoun's commitment to the issue of purity stems from a strong desire for her students to have lives that please God. She said, "My heart yearns for them to live pure lives."
She concluded, "But whether you are male or female, young or old, we have to live lives of purity because that is what God wants from us…It's also about how you act around others, how you think of yourself and how you love God. Communication and actions are the greatest tools we have to tell others about purity. The students, whatever age they are, look up to the youth workers."
Rogers said the youth group leaders are careful to not overstress purity, however. He noted why a balance is needed: "A lot of the people I know who use drugs say they got the idea from the DARE program. I've taken that idea into the issues of purity. If you overemphasize one area, then maybe kids will start getting the idea to try some of it. Having other things for your students to do keeps their minds off impure things."
