The Lasting Value of Youth Group Involvement

3 Reasons to Get Involved in a Youth Group

Intermountain Christian School (ICS) is a Christ-centered learning community composed of Christians from a variety of denominations. Though we’re a community of Christians, ICS does not aim to replace church involvement.

For many middle- and high school-aged Christians, a key part of their early faith development happens at Church, but not only on Sundays … at Youth Group.

What happens every day in the halls of ICS is wonderful, and we don’t need to understate the opportunities for discipleship at ICS to also highlight the unique role a Youth Group can play in a young Christian’s spiritual and social growth.

We asked the Youth Minister at Risen Life Church for his perspective on the lasting benefits of youth ministry involvement, and this is what he shared:

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The most important thing for Christians to be involved in is the local church. Today, it is common for some to neglect the church or feel that it’s not needed or useful, especially if it isn't serving us the way we want it to. The Bible says quite the opposite (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:23-25).

This is true for both adults and kids alike. As a middle school minister in Salt Lake, I am honored to care for the youth in this valley. The goal is simple: share Jesus with the kids through intentional discipleship, friendship, and the Word. Our team of adult volunteers, with varying backgrounds and ages, works hard to provide a space where kids hear the Word of God clearly, build relationships, feel safe expressing themselves, share their struggles, ask tough questions, and be discipled. It is my genuine belief that youth group is the most important thing for teens to be involved in over anything else. Here are three reasons why:

1. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Part of being a teenager is struggling with identity. It’s asking the question “who am I and where do I belong?” Prioritizing youth group means you are putting them in a space where Jesus is being preached at their level. It’s a place where they can process life through a biblical lens with Christian friends and adult leaders and hear the Bible being explained in ways that make sense to them. Students will even have conflicts within the youth group, and then learn how to resolve them.

2. It’s their space. It is the parents’ job to raise their kids in the faith, but part of growing up is deciding whether or not you want to follow in the footsteps of your parents. Youth group gives kids the opportunity to work through their faith away from their parents, with the guidance and wisdom of other trusted adults. At this age, kids begin to be more influenced by non-family members. Put them around good influences. Balancing sports, jobs, and academic load is a reality for high school students, but active involvement and belonging to a church body have lifelong effects and lasting fruits.

3. It’s fun! Youth group is focused on sharing Jesus, and part of that is having fun with each other! Some of the best memories from my childhood are from youth group. Whether it’s mission trips, camp, activity nights, or just Wednesday night games, youth group consistently creates lifelong memories that kids will cherish and associate with Jesus!

It’s my hope that parents will prioritize youth group and work with their churches so we can serve our kids and raise up the next generation of Christians well.

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Want to Learn More About Intermountain Christian School?

The best way to get to know ICS is to experience our community firsthand. Schedule a campus tour to meet our teachers, see students in action, and learn how a Christ-centered education can help your child thrive. We would love to welcome you to campus and help you explore whether Intermountain Christian School is the right fit for your family.

Schedule a Campus Tour

What Is Intermountain Christian School? Not just an excellent place to learn, but a place to be discipled

What Is Intermountain Christian School?

Not just an excellent place to learn, but a place to be discipled—this is what Intermountain Christian School is all about. Watch our new brand video to learn how ICS, the top private Christian school near Salt Lake City, Utah, offers a strong education built on a Christ-centered worldview.

The Unique Value of Intermountain Christian School

We created a new video with interviews from teachers and administrators, sharing from the heart, so you can get to know ICS. The video is meant to give you a look into the classroom, display our teachers’ passion for Christian education and prayerful preparation for each school year, and help families decide if Intermountain Christian School is the best fit for their students.

“We teach all of those core subjects, and we teach them excellently, but we take educational best practices and biblical integration, and we meld them together in a way that just makes sense and becomes real to our students.”

“I appreciate my time here so much more, seeing the efforts that teachers go to to make this not only an excellent place to learn but a place to be discipled.”

Watch the video here:

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What Is Intermountain Christian School (ICS) All About?

Here are some key messages from the video I’d like to highlight:

As a private Christian school near Salt Lake City, Utah, we're able to offer our students a powerful and one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Does ICS Have Strong Academics? Or Just Christian Values?

A unique value of ICS is that we're well-equipped to offer a high-quality, appropriately challenging education, with honors-level academics and exceptionally talented teachers. But what makes ICS special is the lens we teach our classes through ... really, the lens we see the world through.

“We’re not just a Christian school. We’re a school, and we’re really good at it.”

ICS Is a Christian School—In Belief and Practice

A school is made up of a Christian community (followers of Jesus). ICS is a non-profit private education organization that is centered on Christian belief, doctrine, and values, and is led by Christians from a wide variety of denominational backgrounds and beliefs, but we are all united on the truth of the biblical gospel.

We are a Christian school in name and belief, but most notably, in practice. Everything we do and teach is through a biblical lens—from biology to Bible to PE class.

“All truth is God’s truth.”

For Christian families in the Salt Lake area, this is a compelling combination, where they know that when they drop off their students at school, their students are going to be in a safe, caring, Christ-centered environment. What they learn at school is high quality, enriching, and prepares them to thrive beyond graduation, AND is in alignment with what they learn at home and at church.

ICS Faculty and Staff Represented

Though our faculty is rich with dozens of passionate Christian educators who could speak to the unique work we do at ICS, in this video, you hear from:

• Dean of Elementary School, Andrew Hobbs

• High School Lead Teacher, Becky Schumacher

• Art Teacher and Dance Instructor, JeQuita Lee

• Elementary Stem Teacher, Kelsie Larkin

  Click here to get to know our team!

Schedule a Campus Tour

If this is the kind of education you want to give your student, schedule an in-person or virtual campus tour.

You’ll have the chance to meet teachers, see classrooms in action, tour the facility, and ask all your questions. When you tour, you can learn how to apply, learn about tuition assistance, and really determine if ICS is the right fit for your student and your family.

Choosing ICS for Senior Year

Choosing ICS for Senior Year

By Jennifer Adema, admissions director

Morgan Brown (pictured below) will graduate from ICS with the class of 2024. Morgan’s first day as an ICS student was also the first day of his senior year. He attended a charter school in the Salt Lake Valley from kindergarten through 11th grade. During his junior year, he became interested in making a switch, desiring a Christ-centered education. The reputation of the ICS community preceded itself, and Morgan wanted to be a part of it.

Morgan Brown (12th)

Morgan took no time adjusting as the “new kid” in the senior class; he was immediately warmly welcomed by the student body. Friendships were quickly solidified during the high school retreat at Big Canyon Ranch, and he has had no regrets in coming to ICS.

Once he began pursuing ICS, he discovered that he could have a very flexible schedule while completing the credits needed to graduate. Morgan’s schedule allows him to be off campus each Monday and Wednesday. During these days, Morgan works one of his two jobs: Chick-fil-A or a local daycare. When he is not in school or working, he enjoys rock climbing and hanging out with friends.

After he graduates high school, Morgan hopes to pursue a career as an electrician or intern in ministry. As he progresses into adulthood, he desires to grow in his faith and gain boldness in sharing his faith with others. He is an active member of Risen Life Church in Holladay. ICS welcomes students for the entirety of their school years, or just for a select year or two. Our staff is grateful for all the time students choose to spend in our classrooms, and we are overjoyed that Morgan chose to spend his senior year at ICS.

Rooted in Love: How ICS Encourages Your Student to Pursue Jesus

Rooted in Love: How ICS Encourages Your Student to Pursue Jesus

By Dean of Student Life Mr. Hobbs

ICS school verse logo 2023-24

ICS is a Christian school not only in name, but all the way down to our roots. What is most important to us is that we show students the love of Jesus and encourage them to love others in response. That is why we have chosen Ephesians 3:17b-19 as our key verse for this school year and encourage faculty, staff, students, and parents to commit this passage to memory.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

In our effort to allow more time and opportunity for parents and students alike to be “Rooted in Love,” we have made the following changes for the 2023-24 school year:

1. Chapel Message Theme and Live-Stream

Last year our chapel messages were focused on the “Fruit of the Spirit.” This year we will focus on being “Rooted in Love” through messages on our Statement of Faith and the parables of Jesus. These messages will also be live-streamed on YouTube to allow parents and family members who cannot attend in person to worship along with us.

2. Friday Morning Elementary School (ES) Chapel

ICS high school worship band leads our community in worship during our all-school chapel on the first day of school.

Last year, ES Chapel took place from 9:30-10:30 each Wednesday morning. This year, we have moved ES Chapel to Fridays from 8:30-9:00. This change allows us to wrap up the week worshiping together as well as give parents more opportunity to attend with the earlier start time.

3. Weekly Middle School/High School (MS/HS) Chapel

Last year, MS/HS students would attend chapel together each week, with one group leaving after the singing had ended to go to small groups. This year, MS/HS students remain in chapel the entire time to hear a message from God’s Word each week. Moving MS/HS Chapel to the end of the day on Friday also gives parents more opportunity to attend with the later start time.

Middle and high school chapel

4. Weekly MS/HS Small Groups

Last year, MS/HS students would attend chapel together each week, with one group leaving after the singing had ended to go to small groups. This year, small groups take place every week during Community allowing for deeper relationships among small group members and leaders.

5. Student-led MS Small Groups

Last year, MS small groups were led by MS faculty. This year, we’ve adjusted the time these groups meet to allow HS students to lead these groups. This change not only allows opportunities for HS students to disciple others in the student body, but it also brings an increased excitement for attending small groups for our MS students.

Our school verse, changes to our schedule, our continued commitment to Teaching for Transformation, and our prioritization of Bible classes at each grade level are all part of our continued efforts to show our students their need for a Savior, His love for them, and the incredible joy that comes from being “Rooted in Love.”

Questions about any of the above mentioned information? Click here.

A high school girl’s small group completes an activity together.

Meet the Delaney Family!

Meet the Delaney Family!

How did you first hear about ICS?

Before we moved to Utah in early 2018, we were visiting Salt Lake City to get a feel for the community and tour potential homes and schools for our family.  While eating breakfast in a local hotel (near ICS), my wife and I met an Alumni of ICS who shared his family's experiences with the school and encouraged us to visit the school to see if it might be a good fit for our kids.

How did you choose to send your children to ICS?

We had already made the decision that a Christian-based school system and community was what we wanted for our children and family.  After meeting with several Alumni and staff members of ICS (including the head of school), the experiences they shared were consistent with the experiences we were seeking out for our family.  After our daughter's first year with ICS (kindergarten), it was no question that we would stay at ICS and also bring our son into the pre-K program that following year.

The Delaney Family

What do you feel your children get at Intermountain Christian School that they would not get somewhere else?

1. Strong organizational foundation in our Christian faith. Not simply a class or time slot in the week, but principles and lessons woven into each daily interaction.

2. Individualized experiential care and learning from teachers and staff. We are all different and so are our kids. The teachers and staff know our kids and us as parents at a relatively deep level.  Proactive discussions and actioning among staff, parents and students are commonplace at ICS and they help optimize our children's learning and growth experience. I also believe that the ICS culture allows for a stronger community based upbringing that promotes overall well being across all modalities of life.

3. Connection to older students as informal (and maybe formal) role models. There are programs that promote older students to coach and guide the younger students. Both of our kids already have older classmates that they look up to and that have inspired them to become more engaged with extracurricular activities.

4. Compassionate discipline. Not discipline for the sake of discipline, but instead, having compassion for when we make mistakes and staying disciplined to the principles of how and why we do things and treat one another.

What do your children like the most about their education at ICS?

For our daughter - Teacher, friendships with students, extra curricular activities (dance)

For our son - Teacher, "block time", bible verses, outside play, friendships with students

What advice would you give families who are considering ICS?

Spend time thinking introspectively about what you hold important to your kids and family.  Once you have that clear in your mind and heart, talk with several ICS staff and alumni about their experiences (along with other schools to compare with). Decide on what is most important for you and your family. 

What makes ICS special for your family?

The community and culture across ICS staff, students, and alumni.

Meet the Glenn Family

Meet the Glenn Family!

The Glenn family came to ICS fall 2022 in search of a school for their daughter, Eliana. The Glenns desired to send their daughter to a school that would challenge her academically, and also reinforce (as opposed to compete with) the biblical worldview she learns at home and at church. After evaluating the options for Christian education, ICS became the clear choice for the Glenns! 

Part of what solidified the choice for the Glenn family were the smaller class sizes and an intentional Jesus-centered learning environment. Since attending ICS, Eliana has become excited about learning. She enjoys reading and loves sharing with her parents all the fun things she learns in science. 

Thank you for trusting ICS with the early stages of Eliana’s education, Glenn family! We are privileged to partner with you.

Alumna Spotlight: Natalie Renaud

By Natalie Renaud, ICS alumna class of 2018

I attended ICS for three years and graduated in 2018. I am extremely grateful for my time at ICS and how it equipped me to find purpose and meaning through God’s will for my life.

By incorporating the Gospel into every aspect of education, ICS faculty and staff oriented my life towards God and provided a lens with which to view the world as a Christian. Small groups, chapel, fall retreats, and field studies trips were a few of the unique and influential ICS experiences that strengthened and enriched my faith. After attending a large public middle school, I was amazed by the close-knit ICS community where you can learn and grow among fellow brothers and sisters of Christ.

While at ICS, I participated in women’s soccer, where I made some of my favorite high school memories. The program’s goal is to build women of good character and create a community that values feedback, accountability, and setting the bar high. I am incredibly blessed to be a part of this legacy of strong, hard-working Christian women with our eyes set on Jesus.

The women’s soccer program is one of many examples of how my time at ICS taught me to actively cultivate my faith and place Christ at the center of my life, giving me purpose and direction.

I am currently a senior at the University of Utah, graduating with honors in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This spring, I have had the incredible opportunity to work as a Registered Nurse Apprentice at Primary Children’s Hospital, where I have been able to transition into practice before I plan to work as a pediatric nurse after graduation.

My Christian education helped me discover and cultivate my compassionate heart and follow the call to love and serve others through nursing. The ultimate example of caring and kindness is modeled by Jesus Christ through His life and death, and I pray that His love shines through me in everything I do. With all of the trials and uncertainties awaiting me after graduation, I am reminded of how grateful I am for my Christian education, and I can rest assured knowing that God has a plan for my life.

Music Tour 2022

By Shanna Hafemann, ICS music faculty

Before August 2022, the last time I was in a school, I was a student. A nervous wreck, I entered ICS on my first day, a teacher. I handed out the syllabus to my first class and shakingly asked if there were any questions. Several hands shot up, and the question was asked, as if no other questions mattered, “Is there going to be a Tour this year?” All other hands went down.

ICS Music Tour is a long standing, dearly cherished, highly anticipated tradition at ICS. I remember answering that student with an emphatic “yes!” all the while having no idea what “Music Tour” actually meant. So I started my research. I spent a handful of class periods discussing with students their most memorable moments and their favorite traditions. I attended several meetings trying to understand the financial and schedule constraints. I looked up prior year’s plans and yet I still struggled to find a way to clearly define what ICS’s annual Music Tour actually was. So, with the little bit of knowledge I had acquired, a phenomenal co-planner, Amy Florell, and the tiniest bit of hope, we created something, having no idea if it would live up to the expectations of this beloved tradition.

This year, Tour was designed with two priorities in mind: service and connection. The first two days of Tour were spent serving our local community. Sunday we performed for the Rescue Mission and Valley Behavioral Health, where we were able to hold an intimate, sensory-friendly concert for those who might struggle to attend a larger event. On Monday, we hosted a music therapy program where our own pre-kindergarteners and a group of individuals with various disabilities were invited to attend (pictured above). As we researched and planned the event, we discovered that there was much we did not know or understand about people living with disabilities and their families. The biggest insight we gained is that their community is grossly undeserved. Many people misunderstand or are unsure of how to interact around people with disabilities and many facilities and families lack the resources and knowledge to adequately accommodate them. As we held our event, I looked around and observed my students connecting, including, and empowering other human beings using something they loved, music. As one of my students so eloquently summarized the experience, “On Tours in the past, we would always have to leave the people we made connections with and wait a year to show love to them again. That was so painful. We don’t have to do that anymore, because the people we connected with this week are right here in our own hometown.” This community is one that I hope to continue to serve through Music Tour and other ICS music events. 

The second two days were used to explore how we could use music to connect with each other, with ourselves, and with God. We played several games that pushed us out of our comfort zone, including a musical TikTok challenge. Needless to say, I have some incriminating evidence for how hilarious these students can be. We took time to worship together and allowed a couple of local pastors to speak into our lives. But even with all these special moments, there is still one I have yet to let you in on. I challenged the kids to get vulnerable, to get honest, and to get creative in a songwriting session. Imagine with me. You are in a large cabin with big glass windows and vaulted ceilings. The snow is falling outside and a tea kettle is heating on the stove. In one corner, a girl is humming and pauses to write out a lyric. A young man is strumming the guitar on a couch, while a piano is being learned in another corner. Someone else is editing loops on their laptop, while others retreat to a secluded place to write or sing out their thoughts. The last evening, several students were brave enough to perform their work. During many of the songs, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. In just a few phrases and with a whole lot of vulnerability, we were able to glorify our God, empathize with our peers, and understand one another on a deeper level.

So, I survived my first Music Tour. How fortunate I am to lead this amazing group of students. After all this, I still can’t describe to you what it means to experience an ICS Music Tour. However, I can define why ICS’s Music Tour is so unique. Music is the tool we use, the commonality we each hold, both with our peers and our audiences. Tour is the journey God takes us on as we take the time to serve His beloved, lean into those around us, and learn what next steps He calls us to faithfully walk with Him.

Meet the Cizik Family!

After Googling “Christian Schools in Salt Lake City” the Cizik family found Intermountain Christian School. The Cizik’s were moving from Seattle to Utah and finding a Christian school for her son, Luke, was important to Amy. Upon touring ICS during the summer of 2019, Amy was struck by the natural light in the hallways and the friendliness of everyone she met while at the school. The spiritual emphasis of the school solidified Amy’s desire to have Luke attend. The Ciziks moved to Salt Lake on August 11, 2019 and Luke started kindergarten on August 14! The family is grateful for the experience they’ve had thus far.

For Amy, the strong community at ICS is vital. She is assured that Luke’s teachers are caring and that he has great friends in his class. Amy appreciates that parents are able to connect and talk amongst themselves. The fact that there are 14 grades on one campus is a bonus, too, as Amy’s family likes to support the school’s sports teams and theater productions! Luke looks forward to when he is old enough to participate in ICS sports! The Ciziks attend Hope Church and see many of their church friends at school, too, solidifying that sense of community.

The Ciziks feel well supported at ICS and Amy says she knows of many teachers, administrators and staff that she could call/text if she were to ever need anything. Amy trusts that while at ICS, Luke, among his teachers and his friends will continue to “increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52

Steadfastness in the Midst of a Most Unusual Marathon

Years ago while training for a half marathon, I heard often about the “runners high.”  It’s the experience that many in the world of long-distance running have when the prefrontal and limbic regions of the brain spew out endorphins, a God-given hormone that masks pain or discomfort, and allows the athlete to feel more relaxed and euphoric when their physical body is being pushed.  I believed in the phenomenon, I desired to experience this relief, and yet it took months before I was able to personally profess this sensation. Come to find out, research suggests that there is a sweet spot where one’s pace isn’t easy nor is it gut-busting. Sauntering too casually won’t produce enough discomfort to trigger a rush.  Pushing too aggressively will overwhelm you past the point of being able to feel good. Finding the sweet spot is necessary in order to achieve relief. As the world continues to settle into new routines in the context of COVID-19, I am reminded and challenged to find my sweet spot in the midst of this crisis. Keeping in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint, I have reflected on three specific areas to help us process our new circumstances:  personal characteristics that preamble success, spiritual disciplines and habits that affect long-term change, and contrasting sprinter versus marathon perspectives toward daily life.

As I reflect on what it looks like to successfully complete a marathon-like race in life, I sought out data that revealed the character traits of marathon finishers and non-finishers.  In short, the findings identified one characteristic that stood out: steadfastness.

Miriam-Webster defines steadfastness as “firm in belief, determination, or adherence.”  Said in another way, steadfastness is dedicating and committing oneself to the task at hand.  In the context of COVID-19, one helpful functional tool to develop is to learn to “live life backward.”  Athletes are trained to visualize meeting milestones, both short-term and long-term. Sports psychologist, Dave Caldwell, theorizes “if you are able to imagine yourself meeting your goals, you can silence the devil (negative self-talk) no matter the level of discomfort you experience.”  This principle is Ecclesiastical, one designed to change your perspective by learning to live today in light of the end. Knowing that the COVID-19 crisis will eventually end, working backward from that point into all of the details, decisions, and attitudes of our lives today helps us determine a realistic, maintainable stride for daily life.

In the same vein, we call upon spiritual disciplines or daily habits as a means toward the desired end.  John Mark Comer offers a standard definition of discipline as “any activity I can do by direct effort that will eventually enable me to do that which, currently, I cannot do by direct effort.”  For example, a student in Strength & Agility may want to bench press a certain weight but can’t. Comer contends that they don’t yet have the power or the muscle to do so. It’s not that they can’t, it’s that they cannot do it yet.  They need access to more power through the discipline of regular training, and in the end, they become the person who can do something they couldn’t previously do. The process and the principle are similar to spiritual disciplines, but with the nuance of drawing on the Holy Spirit’s power in addition to our own commitment.  As we follow the core practices of Jesus himself: quiet time to pray, reading our Bibles, living in isolated-community, practicing Sabbath, and tithing, we are drawing on supernatural strength to help us cope and enable us to sit with suffering for a bit. Also, developing strategies to weather the storm and emerge with a stronger resilience, renewed relationships, and a regenerated appreciation for life.

As we enter into the 4th week of social distancing, it's likely that you are already realizing that running a marathon feels and looks very different than sprinting a race.  While relentless work is noble and understandable (especially in western culture), it is not sustainable. It’s interesting to note that at their peak, distance runners have a significantly higher cardiac index than sprinters.  Meaning that at the peak point of a race, the distance runners experience more efficient pumping action and increased cardiac output due to their specific type of training. During a sprint, adrenaline keeps the runner going, there is legitimate urgency, and everyone around them is running at full speed.  This environment is not true for the distance runner where pace and rhythm are necessities and the goal is to remain in a comfortable aerobic zone. And so it is with us during this time when the end to our current crisis is unclear. May we seek inspiration from Jesus who steadfastly lived one day at a time, remaining in a comfortable measured zone that allowed him to be present and aware of each moment and the opportunities that might be part of it.

In summary, as you move forward into the first few miles of this COVID-19 marathon, I encourage you to seek to find your sweet spot.  First, determine to work backward living life today in light of the end. Second, do this by committing to regular spiritual disciplines to keep you grounded and stable.  Third, function practically at a sustainable pace. May each of us be very present in each day of this pandemic, intentionally seeking to make each mile matter. This season is a historical event that cannot be rewritten.  Prepare today the narrative that you will share with future generations about the One who is faithful and steadfast to those who call upon His name. 

Written by Amy Florell, Strength and Agility Teacher

Photography by Khloe Begg, ICS HS Junior

I AM STRONG: KENADIE JACKSON AND MSLT

Middle School Worship Night

One of the services that our Middle School Leadership Team (MSLT) does is plan monthly events to encourage community within the middle school student body.  Kenadie Jackson has taken that objective to a new level when it comes to showing strength in leadership. She came to me in early October to ask if MSLT could start a middle school Worship Night at ICS once a month.  To be honest, I was a little reluctant about this at first because that would mean two events per month (instead of one). After discussing it with her, providing guidance, and per approval, she took the challenge of making this monthly Worship Night happen. She has not missed a beat with planning for these services and has taken it very seriously.  Kennadie has stood strong in recruiting monthly speakers, the praise team, and even student techs to run the soundboard. Along with the help of MSLT, she has been working tirelessly to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

With that being said, Friday, December 6th was our second worship night, and it was wonderful, to say the least. God was truly glorified.  Although the original plans for the night changed due to unforeseen circumstances, Kenadie did not let that stop the night from happening. With MSLT suggestions and guidance, a plan was formed.  She really demonstrated how strong and committed she was to the task of making this night honoring to God and a blessing to everyone who came. It was beautiful to see her remain calm and strong in spite of the last-minute changes.  What a lesson to learn early, especially as a teenager!   

For the above reasons, I see Kenadie as a student in middle school who has demonstrated a level of strength and tenacity, especially when it comes to MSLT and demonstrating her love for Christ. I am one proud teacher. Thanks, Kenadie and MSLT for all of your hard work in making this middle school Worship Night especially pleasing to God and an awesome experience for middle schoolers and their guests.  I can hardly wait to see what February’s worship night brings.  

Written by Pam Smith, MS English teacher & 6th Grade Homeroom teacher

THE PRACTICE OF SABBATH

In Exodus 20, God gives the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. The commandment with the most instruction concerns Sabbath. 

One of the most impactful sermons I have heard pondered why this commandment can so often be neglected. The sermon began this way: “If I murder someone, I will be fired. If I commit adultery, I will lose my job. If I do not take a Sabbath, I will get a raise.” Why is the command of Sabbath treated differently?

Part of the answer lies in Jesus’ complicated attitude toward Sabbath in the New Testament. Local church leaders consistently accuse Jesus of breaking Sabbath laws; Jesus, in turn, berates local leaders for such accusations and uses the situation to demonstrate their unbelief. However, rather than rebel against the discipline of Sabbath, Christ through his ministry reclaims the purpose of Sabbath. 

With his words, Jesus denounces the law of Sabbath, yet in his actions, he affirms the practice. Jesus goes to the Synagogue on Sabbath days (Mark 3, Luke 4). He often retreats from the spotlight of his ministry to find time of solitude to rest and pray (Matthew 14, Luke 4). Instead of teaching people to serve the rules of the Sabbath, he says that “the Sabbath was made for man.” (Mark 2:27). Rather than focus on what is and is not allowed, Jesus proclaims that on Sabbath it is “lawful to do good.” (Matthew 12:12). He liberates his followers from the law while affirming the practice. His affirmation ought to inform our habits today. 

Why Sabbath? 

Throughout his life, Jesus affirms the practice of Sabbath. Why does Christ model this discipline? 

When God gives Israel the command to Sabbath, he also gives a reason: “[The Sabbath] will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy” (Exodus 31:13). Sabbath is important because it reminds us that God is who makes us holy. 

Sabbath is a reminder on three levels. First, it keeps us focused on God. The world easily distracts us from who makes us holy. The world teaches that fulfillment is found in work on Monday and enjoyment on Friday. The rhythm of Sabbath reminds us every week that neither work nor pleasure justifies us. It is God who makes us holy.

Second, Sabbath guards us against pursuing earthly treasures. The narrative of our society is that more is always better. More money is success; more work is diligence; more vacation is joy. Goodness is a bigger lifestyle. Practicing Sabbath guards against this mentality. It is a conscious choice to not pursue what is grandiose. Instead, we can rest from work because we believe in God’s abundant provision. Resting on Sabbath bolsters our faith in God’s abundance. It is not material abundance that justifies us; it is God’s abundant grace and mercy that make us holy. 

Finally, Sabbath frees us to live in communion with others and Creation. The only commandment that God extends to non-Israelites is the commandment of Sabbath. By resting, we find our identity in God, which allows us to live in communion even with the foreigner. It is God who makes us holy, not our nationality or religion or habits. 

Sabbath reorients our worldview. It is not just a rest day for maximal enjoyment. It is a day of rest that reorders our values. Instead of focusing on work or pleasure – selfish endeavors – committing to a Sabbath orients your life around a three-fold communion with God, community, and creation. It reminds you that God is who makes you holy. It gives you space to appreciate the friend and the alien. With this reorientation, Sabbath then liberates you to reenter your work with the goal of communion. 

Sabbath Today

Jesus demonstrates the freedom gained when one centers his or her life around Sabbath. Jesus lived in communion with both his Father and his Creation. Because of this, the pharisaical rules did not choke his Sabbath. Instead, Jesus had the freedom to heal on the Sabbath. He had the freedom to eat with his disciples or seclude himself and pray. He used the Sabbath to bring true rest to the world.

What does it look like to practice Sabbath today? While I encourage every reader to consider incorporating a full 24-hour period of Sabbath into his or her weekly rhythm, I honor the freedom Christ gives to interpret the discipline differently. As you ponder how to orient your life around three-fold communion, here are some ideas that have inspired me. 

In college, I took Saturday as a Sabbath. Every Saturday morning, I served in my community with various Christian non-profits. Jesus gives the freedom to heal; service is an excellent use of a Sabbath. I have friends who host dinner with various guests every Sabbath to foster community. I know people who spend hours praying by themselves every week. Jesus grants the freedom to participate in Sabbath differently, yet desires to offer all of us the gift of communion with him and his creation. 

Jesus gives us the freedom to Sabbath uniquely, but the practice is absolutely essential. Sabbath is at the core of our being and is the heartbeat of our universe. As you consider how God has called you to Sabbath, I ask you to meditate on the following:

Christ dies on a Friday and resurrects on a Sunday. Jesus waits a full day of Sabbath before conquering death. At the center of the gospel is a Sabbath. A day to ponder the work Christ has done up unto his death; a day to hope for the work Christ will complete in his resurrection. 

Pondering with you. 

COURAGE TO RUN THE (STATE) RACE

I am typically not the optimist.  I tend to see the worst before I see the best.  It’s definitely not the trait I’m most proud of, especially in light of parenting.  Josephine is my 5th grader, and to see her now, you’d see her giggling with her friends in the hallways, dressing up her cat at home, making mug brownies on a Friday night, and very occasionally cleaning her room.  I have memories of a very small underweight baby Josie who was very meek, mild and at times even listless. A series of tests as part of a “failure to thrive” diagnosis showed that Josie had a severe kidney issue, indicating her kidneys were permanently scarred and function only at 60% and 40% capacity.  She eventually needed surgery, days after her second birthday, landing her a 2-week stay at the Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY.  

Praise God, Josie’s issues are no more, and she quickly returned to life as an active toddler.  Her personality, however, was still a bit reserved as I think she had so much to overcome from the constant infections she endured since birth.  Josie was very slow to talk and had speech therapy for a year to bring out simple words like “red” and “bed.” Finally, she spoke. Clearly. And it turns out she had a lot to say.  

Josie is part of an active family and has participated in various team sports through the community.  This year, her 5th-grade year, she was excited to join the Middle School Cross Country team at ICS. My pessimistic mind admittedly was often more focused on my 7th grader and her efforts as I viewed the 5th graders participating more for the experience than actual competition.  But as the season wore on, Josie stepped it up. She showed courage at each race, putting in her best and ending red-faced. The regional race determined who would go to the state meet. Josie’s time qualified her to represent her team at the state level. Her reaction to this accomplishment made my mom's heart soar.  She was very meek and didn’t want a big deal made of it. She wanted to remind others that it is a team sport. Her humility almost melded into embarrassment when talking about it with peers, teachers, and others.  

We showed up at the state meet where the competition was bigger in numbers and in literal size.  I could sense Josie’s trepidation. She was frolicking with the team waiting for the race to start, but there was definitely some reservation and thought as she prepped to run her heart out.  I couldn’t help but reflect back to her earlier seasons of childhood and to think of my timid Josie now out there bravely giving everything she had to a brand new sport. The team ended up taking first place in the state.  I had two daughters on that winning team, and as they were accepting their trophy, I looked at my friend and fellow cross country mom, Becky Schumacher, and felt a shared unspoken wave of gratitude and pride. I’ll let my kids sit in humility over their accomplishments.  But as their mom, for this season, I’m going to be optimistic and proud. Not just for their academic or athletic achievements, but for all the times they choose courage in the face of the unknown, courage to compete against older kids, courage to stand up for what is right and courage to run the race that is set for them.  I don’t typically love surprises, but I loved it when Josie surprised me this past cross country season with an attitude full of bravery and courage.  

By Jennifer Adema, ICS Mom, and ICS Admissions Coordinator

Big Canyon Ranch HS Retreat: A mama's perspective

From the cries in the night to the rocking at dawn, you never truly know how quickly it all goes. Everyone warned me and told me to, “stay in the moment.” Lord knows I try to stay in the moment. But things want my attention, weigh for my time, and desire me to be torn from the moments that I so want to cherish. As a mom of a large age span of children, I feel like this is my constant resolution: be present, be in this moment, hold fast to this memory.

I had a few days like this recently that I want to hide away in my heart, cling to, and treasure. I was able to go to Big Canyon Ranch with the high school and with the theme of “Wholehearted Living,” I knew it would tie in nicely to all the Lord had been showing me personally. He’s really good at getting our attention! I found myself desperately longing to be back at his first baseball game or cuddling during a thunderstorm. I caught myself watching years unfold as my son led activities and small groups and lamenting the years that I feel got stolen. But the Lord showed me over those days that all the things I didn’t feel fully present for or that I wish the details weren’t as faint about that He was ever-present and remembers every detail and word spoken. That although I lacked that He never did. That each day He was fine-tuning the amazing young man standing before me. He faithfully had my five kids all of their days. He established each of their steps (whether I remember each of those steps or not).

He washed me with His grace as I entered into a knowing that He’s used ICS, this community, these friends, mentors, and teachers to come alongside him. This was how the retreat theme, “wholehearted living,” landed in me: to surround ourselves with those who can strengthen, sharpen, and encourage us along the journey. I’m incredibly thankful for how God has used the tools he has in my son’s life and I’m forever thankful for the God we serve who shows up in our kids' daily lives in times and moments that we could never orchestrate or recreate. 

So be present and when you’re not, trust the one who always is.

Nicole Stoddard, ICS Administrative Assistant, HS small group leader, and HS mama

TRUSTING THROUGH TRAGEDY

As we journey through life there are many opportunities for us to experience the need to trust. We trust that the chair will hold us when we sit down. We trust the car will start when we turn it on. We trust that the sun will rise each morning. We trust in many things, but ultimately our trust must be founded in God. When our trust is founded in the one who is “trustworthy” life’s challenges take on a different meaning. 

This past week our family experienced an emotional and unexpected journey. Our oldest son, who is an ICS Alum (c/o 2016), is a Cadet at West Point Military Academy in New York. He was home for our youngest son’s 2019 graduation from ICS and headed back to WP for field training. Thursday morning we received a text that said, “I am OK. There has been an accident.” As a parent that is not something, you want to read as an opening to a text. Our son’s squad was heading out to the field for a mapping exercise when the transport vehicle they were traveling in rolled, injuring 20 cadets and 2 soldiers. Tragically, one of the Cadets was killed, class of 2020 and member of the WP wrestling team. Our son and 3 others of his team, fortunately, were not on the truck. They were told to wait because there was “no room,” the truck was full. If they had put all of them on, they would have been standing in the aisle when the truck rolled. We praise God for his safety and are heartbroken for the Cadet’s family who lost their son. 

It seems so senseless for a soon to be a young officer in the United States Army to lose his life during a training event, yet the Cadets train and put their lives at risk as they prepare to lead others to defend our country. The risk is just as real during training as it is on the field. So, where does trust come in? What if our son had been standing in the aisle as the truck rolled and lost his life along with others on his team? Could I trust that God was in control then? I pray I never have to face that situation, but I do have the assurance and hope that he has a personal relationship with Jesus. As believers we can trust that for those who have accepted Christ we will be reunited one day in glory with the Lord. 

A dear friend reminded my husband and I, that 2,000 years ago there was “no room” for us on the cross. In our place, Jesus took our sins and was crucified so that we could have eternal life with him in heaven. Because of his sacrifice, we can have life. He took our place so that we did not have to experience death, eternal separation from him. Have you trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Your place was taken by the One who paid it all. He died and rose again and gave us victory over death. I am thankful that my son is safe not only physically, but spiritually. The greatest gift we can give our children is introducing them to the Lord. Knowing that they are safe in Him allows us to trust that whatever comes our way, God is in control. 

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17 

Written by Jequita Lee, ICS Art and Dance

The Teacher Effect

Let’s take a trip together- traveling into your memory-mind’s eye. Do you see whose face appears when I ask who was your favorite teacher? Did you take it back to your kindergarten days with his/hers undoubtedly kind smile, or perhaps that one awesome basketball coach who pushed you harder than any other during sophomore year? Do you have him or her in your mind? Now hold on to the feeling- not the image of their face, but the feeling they left in your heart which you are revisiting now- The peace you received during that rough personal time, the laughter bubbling up because they had a killer sense of humor, or the immense pride you feel in yourself at this moment because you know your life could have turned sideways if they had not crossed your path at that exact moment they did. Welcome to the teacher effect.

I would argue that whether you were a total school-loving, high-performing nerd to the max (like myself) or the kid who couldn’t wait to bust through the doors of your school for the last time and never look back (like my husband)- No matter where you stand on the grading scale, there was that one teacher who you had and currently have this undeniable fondness for. For me, it was my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Greer. She was the eldest teacher I ever had, and my goodness gracious her strict disposition was palpable, but she had this effect on me throughout the remainder of my schooling days that set the tone for my drive toward achievement. I was drawn to her teaching style- her almost military-like standard of focus really hit a note for me and to this day I still sing her praises (obviously).

Let’s return. We’re here watching our children make their own relationships, evaluations and memories with teachers of their own. A greater sense of appreciation has hit us as we see from the parenting perspective how each teacher molds, uplifts and pushes them to greatness better than we can ourselves. This year alone, I never knew how monstrously impatient I could be until attempting (ahem, *failing*) to help my son learn to read. That is, until Mrs. Brown came along to take the reins with a calm confidence, followed with Mrs. Veldhuis coming in with the assist (like a perfectly timed “alley-oop”) in “Reading Intervention.” With months of frustration internally building and often times spilling over at my son’s expense, he came home from school one day, sat himself at the counter and began to read me a book as I prepped dinner. Slowly and all at once, my kindergartner was reading and I wasn’t sitting next to him painfully going through each. and. every. word with him. HALLELUJAH! Something clicked for him in that classroom, at the side of his teachers, that spurred a realization to greater achievement than I was able to. As a parent, welcome to the teacher effect.

Being on the outside looking in to a life building within and around your children is one of the hardest realities of becoming a parent. But, man oh man, when I see the beauty through pain, the accomplishments through hardships, and the blessings through steadfastness, I experience that same calm confidence that Mrs. Brown had brought to the table. The stronghold of control in making sure my kids are okay easily slips away. I have the calm confidence in the molding of their minds and characters because of their teachers.

They are cared for.

They are loved.

They are heard.

They are stretched and challenged.

They are held to a higher standard.

They are becoming who they are in large part due to their teachers.

3 John 1:4

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in

the truth.”

Remember that teacher in your memory-mind’s eye? The good work he or she has done in your own life is the same good work your son or daughter’s teacher is doing right this very moment. The teacher effect is generational. I encourage you, do not hold back your tongue in thankfulness for those men and women who show up displaying God’s goodness in your kids’ lives. May the position of gratitude in your heart be expressed outwardly toward them today. If she were still alive today, I would track down Mrs. Greer and thank her for instilling a love of learning in my life, for giving me a king-size Snickers bar when I finally mastered my times tables and for keeping me in line when I was easily distracted by my crazy friends. Go thank a teacher today and let him or her know that their impact is tangible, life-bringing and ever so important.

Comment below who your favorite teachers were and share on Facebook!

Written by Erica Smith, ICS Mom

Equipped, Inspired and Thriving!

Academically, ICS gave me tools to make the transition to college classes seamless. In college, the responsibility falls more upon the student to understand expectations and keep track of due dates. As I progressed through high school, my teachers were intentional about encouraging me to become an autonomous learner who pushed myself to do my best, and because of this I was not intimidated when I saw that same mentality used in my college courses. The small class size I was accustomed to at ICS also made me comfortable in one-on-one interactions with my teachers, which was invaluable as I began to interact individually with my professors. Connecting with professors is essential to doing well in college class. They are the ones you consult with if you are struggling with the material and are also the ones who could recommend you for on-campus jobs, resume-building experiences, or future internships. ICS made me comfortable talking with my educators, which proved to be especially helpful as I got involved on campus.

While the academic preparation was very useful, I most noticed that ICS shaped me for the better concerning social life. ICS involved me in small groups, mentorships, and Christ-centered community through all twelve years I attended. Coming to college, I realized that this familiarity and solidarity in Christ was what I missed most. I am so thankful that I knew what a healthy body of believers looked like so I could find and create a similar type of uplifting and life giving community in my new home. My background at ICS grounded me in my faith so that when I was tested by the temptations and loneliness of first semester, I was able to persevere, knowing that God was with me and wanted me to thrive at George Fox University as well. 

I love the fun-filled, 24/7 craziness of college life! It is truly a thrilling time in life where school, home-life, and friendships all happen simultaneously. But not a week goes by when I do no gladly reminisce over the community 800 miles away that shaped me into who I am — a beloved daughter of God and a capable student, Cana Buckley.

By Cana Buckley

Not Unto Us: Unsung Servants at ICS

Behind the scenes of ICS, faithful women and men labor each school day in loving service to their Savior and the school. The unsung nature of their lives echoes the words of the psalmist,
“Not unto us Lord, not unto us, but to your name be the glory!” Psalm 115:1

These selfless servants play key roles at the school including secretarial, reception, organization, finance, marketing, admissions, maintenance, technology, and special projects.

What do operational team members do? They make it easy for faculty and staff to educate their students. They implement the vision of the principals and head of school. They meet the practical needs of 55 staff members, 340 students, and over 200 families.

But what do they really do?
They tirelessly coordinate hot lunch and parent-teacher conferences, while answering phones, and comforting a sick or injured child, ALL AT ONCE!

They faithfully note the weekly MS and HS student birthdays and ball games, schedule daily subs, and email report cards out on time.

They carefully calculate tuition, needs-based assistance spreadsheets, and bank deposits, then graciously answer any and all monthly billing questions.

They creatively design snazzy MAROON Lion T-shirts and keep the website and school-wide announcements up-to-date and on point.

They joyfully introduce the school to new families and patiently walk with them each step of the way as new students apply and enroll.

They dutifully book soccer fields and basketball gyms, corral the myriad of school activities and events into a usable master calendar, keep score at games, and schedule buses to get all the students safely to their various destinations right on time.

They meticulously set-up Surface Pros and Chromebooks, reconnect printers, align projectors, maintain wireless networks, and troubleshoot equipment errors.

They amazingly pull off memorable events like Annual Fund Celebration and Day of Service, rarely missing a detail.

They humbly plunge clogged toilets, change burnt out light bulbs, and setup and tear down the cafeteria and gym for chapel, lunch, and basketball games.

Whew - it’s a lot of work to help a school operate!

While these servants may often go UNNOTICED, let's hope they never go UNAPPRECIATED.

How thankful we are to God that ICS can offer an exemplary education because of their tireless work, their joyful smiles, and their constant example of faithful lives serving the God they love!

By Matt Parker