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This past Wednesday, our graduating class of 2025 hosted a special chapel with our 7th-grade students. A panel of seniors reflected on their growth as students and disciples of Jesus Christ, while also sharing what they wished they had been told when they were in 7th grade. Students were separated into smaller groups as senior leaders engaged in an interactive reflection on the truths presented in this year's chapels.
On the same day, 8th-grade students spent the afternoon engaging with our high school teachers and exploring their future freshman experiences. This HS orientation included liquid nitrogen ice cream, homemade root beer floats, pizza with teachers, and team-building games. Students also became more familiar with our missions program, dual-credit college courses, leadership opportunities, and various activities and sports available to our HS students. Following the same pattern, our 6th-grade students led our monthly "Small Group Chapel" on the topic of encouragement and steps of growth in becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Surrounded by a collection of 1st-5th-grade students from various classes, pairs of 6th-grade students developed their leadership skills, sharing God's truths through teaching, activities, and prayer. On another fun note, a parent from one of our early graduating classes recently enrolled their two children into our Early Childhood classes. I am so thankful for God's leading in His discipleship community. Several years ago, my wife and I purchased a used vehicle from the Portland area. Driving home, I noticed her driving was a bit erratic at times as I followed from behind. When we got home, she described that something was wrong with the steering of our newly purchased car. I gave it a test drive myself and was disappointed to discover the same frustration. Days passed as we considered how big of a mistake we had just made.
Thankfully, we soon realized that the problem was not with the car but with the drivers! Our perceived “steering problem” was simply the modern vehicle engaging in the “lane assist” steering guidance system. What we perceived as a mechanical malfunction was actually an updated safety feature. Welcome to the 21st century! There were actually several features of the car that took us some time to discover and employ. As citizens in God’s Kingdom, we are called to understand and embrace all that God has for us. Often, features of our faith can be overlooked. The apostle Paul prayed that the “eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). I am now familiar with all of the newfangled features of our latest vehicle. Even more so, as followers of Christ, we should be intimately familiar with these features (hope, riches, power) of our faith. Specifically, forgetting the true magnitude of His power that lives within us is a common failing. Paul explains that this power “is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20) That’s incredible! The Easter season is a great reminder of the scale of God’s power to raise His son from the grave. Remarkably, this same power is available to us who believe! I’ve often pondered what Jesus said in John 14:12, “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” God's provision for these greater works is the same power He demonstrated when we rescued His crucified Son from the grave as a perfect redemption for all sin. Easter is a time to celebrate not only what God has done but also what He is doing! The departure of Jesus from the earth to His Father's side in heaven was no accident. We are equipped and expected to reveal His power through our lives. The ride God has scheduled for each of us has glorious views and unexpected turns. As we sit in the driver's seat of our lives, may we daily commit to accessing and releasing God's power in our weakness! This week in chapel, we celebrated our recent Spring Missions Week in March. Through worship and student testimonies, we highlighted God’s redeeming power released through His disciples. Six teams of HS students, teachers, and parents traveled abroad, around the country, and locally as ambassadors of the gospel. Two houses were built, a family with a home destroyed by the California wildfires was served, and hundreds of conversations about the gospel took place with people from all walks of life. Even Flight Attendants and base missionaries were encouraged by the student's behavior and sacrifice to serve.
On campus, elementary and junior high students were active in prayer, service, and gospel presentations. One of our first-grade students accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior! In response to a presentation from 5th-grade students and through the support and direction of teachers, disciples were making disciples! God’s design for making disciples includes renewing the mind and transforming the heart both through learning and doing. May the investment of resources, time, and thousands of prayers bring glory to God in His expanding Kingdom. CCS Missions Trips |
Adam Kronberger
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