Spiritual Formation Work Bears Fruit

by Tom DeJonge, Superintendent, Grand Rapids Christian Schools

Enhanced Capacities - I am very pleased to announce that, after several months of dialogue, interviews, and planning, Grand Rapids Christian Schools has hired Kent Dobson as a member of the newly developed Spiritual Life Department at Grand Rapids Christian Schools! Kent comes to us from Northpointe Christian School and is an excellent addition to our staff. Kent and high school chaplain Mark Kuiper will each work as members of the Spiritual Life Team, allowing us to fulfill the Strategic Plan as informed by the spiritual formation task forces, which have worked diligently for two years. Together, these two gentleman will strengthen and expand many spiritual formation components within our schools, including through enhanced chapel experiences, student retreats, student trips, after school experiences, development of faith formation curriculum, strengthened and increased opportunities for service learning, and the development of programs that communicate the qualities of the spiritual component at GRCS to new families and students to name a few.

Freshmen Retreat– As you may have heard, one aspect of enhanced opportunities includes an annual Freshmen Retreat. This year, nearly 230 freshman experienced this exciting opportunity on September 19 – 21. Our freshmen class traveled to Spring Hill Camp after school on the 19th and spent 2 and a half days getting to know each other, worshipping together, and building Christian community as a class. Mark Kuiper and a number of parent volunteers planned this event and, together with Kent Dobson, more than 30 parent volunteers and staff organized a very meaningful experience for our students. Thanks be to God for their safety and for providing the resources necessary to offer this unique opportunity to our students.

We look forward to the growth of the Spiritual Life Department and the many ways it will further equip our students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society.