Vidalia — For the past four years teenage girls have brought their sleeping bags, pillows, friends and Bibles to First Baptist Church in Vidalia for the annual lock-in.

“We started this back in 2009 because we recognized that the youth has so many needs,” lock-in organizer Brenda Brown said. “And meeting once a week wasn’t enough.”

In the dim gymnasium Feb. 7 only glo-sticks and two incandescent lights illuminated the semi-circle of 60 girls as they listened to Hannah Duff.

“Maybe you don’t feel like you’re loved,” Duff said to the girls. “But know that you can turn to God. He will always love you.”

As heads bowed in prayer at the end of Duff’s testimony, girls hugged and rested heads on each other’s shoulders, offering support and comfort.

“This is the third time I’ve come to the lock-in,” 14-year-old Leeann Fuqua said. “I like that I get to spend time with my friends and learn about God.

“Being here helps me to deal with things that are hard like getting bullied at school. Here no one is bullied; we’re all friends.”

As the lights flickered back on, the pajama clad girls divided into groups of five or six to sit and talk with an adult.

Alethia Lawrence waited for the girls to gather blankets and pillows before taking her seat in between 12-year-old Ryane Maxie and 8-year-old Alexia Bond.

“Has there ever been a time where you felt like you’re not good enough?” Lawrence asked each of the girls.

Eleven-year-old Emily Smith nodded slightly as tears welled in her eyes.

“Has anyone else felt this way?” Lawrence asked the group.

Haleigh Clanton, 11, leaned over to give Emily a hug before she too shakes her head yes to Lawrence’s question.

Slowly, the girls start to relax, stretching out on their blankets and begin to open up to Lawrence.

“The lock-in lets girls be who they are and not feel judged,” Lawrence said.

“That’s when those teachable moments happen and we as group leaders can be a positive influence.”

Soon the conversations gave way to laughter. After a final prayer is said for the night, the girls had until 8 a.m. the next morning to spend with each other.

“It’s so important for them to learn they’re not alone,” Brown said. “We want to teach them to turn to Christ when they need help and to rely on each other for support.”