Gloucester Union Relief of Missionary Baptist is passionate about helping along the next generation of African American leaders. And the group has plenty to be proud of this year, with 11 high school seniors moving on to life after high school.

All 11 students have been mentored for the past four years by youth advisors from GURA, which is an association of 13 member churches—Bethel Baptist, First Baptist, First Morning Star Baptist, Gleaning Baptist, Morning Glory Baptist, New Mt. Zion Baptist, Rising Valley Baptist, Saint Paul Baptist Church, Shepherdsville Baptist, Union Zion Baptist, Zion Hill Baptist, Zion Poplars Baptist and The First United Baptist Church.

According to Brenda Davis of Rising Valley, head coordinator of the GURA youth advisors, this is one of the largest groups of African American students the organization has mentored, with nine going on to college, one joining the military and another pursuing workforce training.

This year’s GURA graduates (and the co...