On April 3, AD 33, Jesus Christ was crucified and rose three days later. Today, Christians around the world celebrate this miracle on Easter Sunday, recalling His betrayal, sacrifice, and resurrection from 1,996 years ago.
At Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS), the First Priority Club (FPC) continues this tradition by coming together in faith to reflect on His profound sacrifice while celebrating the hope and renewal that His resurrection brings.
FPC began Holy Week with their monthly invite week, during which they handed out pizza and shared the gospel with students at PPCHS. Every club member strives their best to persuade newcomers to attend invite week so they can hear the preaching of Christ, hoping it will be the moment He enters their lives.
“It amazes me how the Lord allows us to have kids who show up for His glory and His grace,” FPC president Kayra Arik says, “[It] was beautiful. It’s all about celebrating the Lord and his resurrection, and we were really wishing to highlight that.”
While the club held a meeting to preach the gospel, the final days of Holy Week (Friday through Sunday) are of greater significance, not only to the club but also to the rest of Christianity.
At the end of Holy Week, the people of this religion come together to celebrate two important days: Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Good Friday presents a paradox within the religion because it is the day Christ was crucified and died on the cross. It is recognized as the day Jesus Christ was crucified and took on all the sins of the world. Without the crucifixion, no one would be saved from sin, and no one could have a relationship with God the Father; but His sacrifice made it possible for everyone to have a closer relationship with the Lord and gain eternal life.
Usually, everyone wears black to mourn Christ’s death, and they spend the rest of the night praying, thanking, and reading about the story that led to His death.
PPCHS student Jayden Demetrius attended a Good Friday church session and remarks, “Going to service felt meaningful and impactful. It made me feel grateful [knowing] that Jesus Christ still went through [everything] he did. He had worries. He had fears. But, He had faith in us—so he did it.”
On the third day, known as Resurrection Sunday, everyone gathers again to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. This moment truly proves to everyone that He is God, as it symbolizes the triumph of life over death and victory over sin and fleshly living.
At each service, people perform different roles to glorify God. Everyone comes together to operate technical lights, play instruments, or sing the main worship and praise songs.
Each lyric continues to praise God, and every song during worship has meaning; they all relate to the crucifixion and revival, leaving everyone in the room with goosebumps as the Holy Spirit fills the space.
“I do tech at my church for lights and being able to go to rehearsal, then going to Easter Sunday; being able to help out is such a great experience.” Demetrius adds, “It was all of our hands working for the Lord. I am blessed and am so thankful to have been given the talents to glorify him through what I do at that church.”
On both days, a pastor delivers a sermon, and on Wednesday, FPC has its own sermon to share with students. The club continually attracts new members, always offering a safe space to glorify God in a welcoming way.
“Easter Sunday is hands down one of my favorite holidays, not for the Easter basket, but because Jesus wasn’t in the tomb,” says Head of Media board member Lyla Masson. “I think people forget the bigger meaning behind it. It means that all who are saved overcame death, and my sins are forgiven.”
