FSpiritualormation
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
FROM THE CAMPUS PASTORS
Over the past couple of years, we have experienced an incredible move of God From students, parents, and teachers, people are sharing how they are seeing God move throughout our campus. I believe the move we are experiencing is a direct result of your prayers for our community. We have new ministries being planted on all three campuses Students are coming to faith in Christ, getting connected to churches, making the decision to be baptized, and looking for ways to serve God’s Kingdom.
This school year, we are excited to focus on the life of Jesus in our Skyway chapels. As a spiritual formation team, we are investing in raising up future Kingdom leaders for the ministry and marketplace, cultivating more parent community and connection, communicating God’s transformative work on our campuses through stories, and co-creating spiritual formation strategies with student voice.
On behalf of Pastors Marcus (VCHS ’02), Anna, and myself, we want to say, “thank you” for your partnership in prayer. Be sure to follow us @vcs faith on Instagram
Grace and Peace,
STEVE DANG (VCHS
’02)
CHIEF MINISTRY OFFICER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI MINISTRIES
FALL SPIRITUAL FORMATION EVENTS
AUGUST
07 | Keynote
09 | Worship & Production Arts Retreat
19 | K-12 Convocation
SEPTEMBER
09 | Wise Parenting in a Digital World
15-17 | Impact Week
20 | Cultural Event: Carnaval
24 | See You at the Cross
27 | Homecoming
OCTOBER
04 | Elementary Open House
13-16 | Spiritual Emphasis Week
18 | HS Open House
20 | Employee Spiritual Retreat
23 | SJPD Digital Safety
NOVEMBER
01 | JH Open House
12 | Advent Giving Project Begins
13 | Panel on AI
VCES - VCJH - VCH
WAY OF THE WARRIOR
BIG IDEA: Wisdom Honor Courage Sacrifice
These virtues at VCS are what we call the Way of the Warrior Our hope is not merely to prepare students for a life in academia, but to become wise and faithful stewards of their gifts for God’s Kingdom in the world. Across all three campuses, our principals and Pastor Steve will unpack how we see the Way of the Warrior in Jesus’ life and ministry
DATES: August 20-September 17, 2025
KEY VERSE: Luke 2:52
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Pray for our community to see these virtues wisdom, honor, courage, and sacrifice not just as aspirational values, but as expressions of a life shaped by Jesus
2 Pray for those who attend Convocation to be blessed and inspired to grow in their relationship with God
3. Pray for our Principals who will be speaking in each of the campus chapels.
4. Pray for unity across all of our students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and partners.
5 Pray for our high school student chaplains as they minister and serve their peers
6 Pray for people to feel blessed and connected at VCS’ Carnaval community event
STUDENT CHAPLAIN OPENING CHAPEL IN SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER
STUDENTS PRAYING AND WORSHIPING DURING SEE YOU AT THE CROSS
HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH CHAPEL: FALL
HERE AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
THEME: What does the vision of Jesus’ community look like, and how do we live it out here as it is in heaven? Jesus has a vision for the world and the people living in it In his most famous sermon, more popularly known as “the Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus shows us what He cares about and what it means to live a life fully submitted to Him. Throughout this series, we will explore how we live as salt and light, embrace a life of generosity, pursue peace with our neighbor, embrace mercy, practice prayer, and build our lives on His words Imagine what our relationships and communities would look like if we practiced the way of Jesus Throughout this series, we will unpack a section of Jesus’ teaching and offer practical ways to put Jesus’ words into practice
KEY VERSE: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” Matthew 7:24
SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK – October 13-16, 2025 | Spiritual Emphasis Week happens once each semester, where we gather together as a school every day of the week for chapel The week is filled with amazing worship, guest speakers, and lunchtime activities. Students are invited to reflect and can make a decision to follow Jesus for the first time or recommit their lives to Jesus. This year’s high school speaker is Pastor Amy Zielsdorf (VCHS ’09) and junior high speaker is Pastor Diane Clemons
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for our students to wrestle with the life and teachings of Jesus
2. Pray for students to have amazing encounters with God during Spiritual Emphasis Week.
3. Pray that students accept Jesus as their Savior.
JUNIOR HIGH CHAPEL WORSHIPPING
HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH CHAPEL: WINTER
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER: SONGS OF THE SEASON
THEME: Everybody has a Christmas album The songs we sing at Christmas time are nostalgic, but they also contain some beautiful truths about Jesus that we can miss out on because they are tied to our cultural celebrations of Christmas This winter, our teachers will be unpacking some significant truths in our Christmas classics, as well as creating visual and musical pieces to display the beauty of this season.
ADVENT GIFT
Last year, we wanted to do something different at Christmas We wondered, what if cutting back on our Christmas spending allowed us to give more to those who are in need? As a result, our Skyway campus raised enough money to fund the building of a home in Mexico and support projects around the world. This year, we hope to continue blessing others.
ADVENT BEGINS FOR SKYWAY CHAPELS AND GIVING PROJECT – November 12-December 10, 2025 | As a school community, students will hear in chapel about how they can tangibly make a difference this Christmas and will then be given the opportunity to give.
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for our students to reflect on the theological truths in the Christmas songs
2 Pray for a spirit of generosity around our campuses during this season and that they can make a tangible difference.
3. Pray for our students, faculty and staff as they wrap up the first semester.
WORSHIP AND PRODUCTION ARTS
Led by Dr Ivan Utomo, the Production Arts & Warrior Worship Team is a student-led group responsible for the musical and technical leadership of chapel at Valley Christian From live worship and Scripture reading to sound, lighting, and visual media, these students create an atmosphere where the school community can encounter Jesus and engage deeply with their faith.
With up to 40 students involved each week, this growing team has brought renewed energy and excitement to chapel More than just leading a service, they are shaping the spiritual climate of our campus, sparking meaningful moments of worship, reflection, and transformation that extend well beyond the stage Their leadership is helping build a culture where Christ-centered worship and discipleship thrive
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Pray that each student on the team would grow in their personal walk with Jesus as they lead others in worship and service
2 Pray for unity, creativity, and excellence as the team continues to grow and influence the spiritual life of the school
3. Pray that the Holy Spirit fills the chapel environments they help create, leading many students to the next step of their spiritual journey.
WORSHIP, PRODUCTION, STUDENT CHAPLAINS, AND CHAPEL TEAM
HIGH STUDENT BEING BAPTIZED
SPIRITUAL FORMATION EVENTS
SPIRITUAL FORMATION CAMPUS CLUBS
We desire for our students to find a place on campus where they can connect with other students and faculty in order to grow spiritually and learn more about God that is outside of the classroom and outside of chapel Spiritual Formation Warrior Time clubs allow students the option to go deeper in their faith with like-minded students Offerings include:
Junior high: Iron Sharpens Iron (boys) and Radiant Souls (girls)
High school: Graceline Chapel (Mondays, led by Valley Christian Pastoral Team), TAPS (Thursdays), Institute of Biblical and Theological Studies (Thursdays), Let’s Talk (Thursdays), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Thursdays), Sisterhood (Thursdays).
DISCIPLESHIP TRACK
Following Spiritual Emphasis Week, students have the opportunity to join Discipleship Track, a once-aweek meeting during lunch, where they learn more about what it practically means to follow Jesus, as well as the importance of worship, prayer, reading scripture, attending church, serving others, and sharing testimonies Discipleship Track is offered for students during junior high and high school lunch It is a powerful time where those questioning Christianity, new believers, and committed Christians come together to become equipped in their walks with the Lord
STUDENT SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Once a semester, a group of high school students gather together for a weekend of being challenged to grow deeper spiritually. Students join to worship, hear teachings from pastors, grow together in community, share testimonies, and dive deeper into their faith It is a time of rich fellowship and spiritual growth
STAFF SPIRITUAL RETREAT
This year, Staff Staff Retreat is happening at Mt Hermon on October 20 It is an intentional time for faculty and staff to gather together and be poured into We will be joined by principal, author, speaker, and TikTok famous, Zac Bauermaster
JUNIOR
STUDENTS WORSHIPPING AT CONVOCATION
STUDENT CHAPLAINS
On the junior high and high school campus, we Student Chaplains who help plan chapels, speak at chapels, lead Spiritual Formation clubs, and minister to fellow students These students are discipled and poured into by the Valley Christian Pastoral Team and are ministers on campus to their peers by fostering conversations, praying for students, and being lights on campus
IMPACT WEEK - September 15-17
A time to share with our student community the global opportunities available to serve, learn, and grow through cross-cultural mission trips. This year, we're excited to deepen ministry partnerships around the world, expand program-specific trips through AMSE and BEI, and launch new Bible Education and Cultural Immersion trips over the summer We can’t wait to see how God will use these experiences to shape hearts and lives of our students for His Kingdom Signups happen this week for all that are interested
Prayer Requests
Pray that our students attend Discipleship Track and enter into a life-long relationship with Jesus Pray for our students and faculty who lead Spiritual Formation Warrior Time clubs, as well as for the students who attend. May these gatherings provide deep Christian community for our students, as well as biblical training and wisdom.
Pray for our staff and students attending the high school Spiritual Retreat. May students encounter Jesus, grow in their relationship with Him, and grow in community with one another.
Pray that our faculty and staff feel refreshed, equipped, and loved after the Spiritual Staff Retreat
Pray that our student chaplains are able to minister to their peers, friends, and students on campus
ELEMENTARY MINISTRIES
ELEMENTARY MINISTRIES
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY
BIG IDEA: In elementary school, we focus on establishing the foundations of faith, which include God’s love for us, His purpose for our lives, and how we live out our faith in the world We break down our lessons according to “Today’s Total Truth,” which makes the lessons applicable. This semester, Principal Gabe Guven and Pastor Anna Messersmith are talking about who God is and how we can be His disciples during chapel and Bible studies
KEY VERSE: LUKE 2:52
EVENTS
Spiritual Emphasis Week – October 13-16
This year, elementary’s focus is the same theme as junior high and high school, highlighting the Sermon on the Mount in class and in chapel.
Launching Fifth Grade Girls Bible Study and Fourth and Fifth Grade Biblical Leadership Clubs – Pastor Anna runs two weekly optional clubs that allow students to dive deeper into community by reading the Bible, having group discussions, playing games, doing crafts, and serving others. Students walk away with a deeper understanding of God, as well as a closer community.
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for the Holy Spirit to plant seeds of faith in our little ones that will last a lifetime
2 Pray for all the students participating in the Biblical Leadership Club and Fifth Grade Bible Study to grow in their faith.
3. Pray for unity amongst our campuses and families as all students learn about the Sermon on the Mount at the same time
4 Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our local churches and ministries as they serve and minister in Jesus’ name
ASSISTANT CHAPLAIN PROJECT DURING 2025 ENCOUNTER
MINISTRY COHORT: EQUIPPING GOD’S PEOPLE
“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:12
Spiritual formation is the work of the Holy Spirit and a shared responsibility across our community
To cultivate a Gospel culture that reaches 2,800 students, 350 staff, and 9,500 alumni, we launched a Ministry Cohort a group of faculty and staff passionate about ministry.
The cohort meets regularly to grow in ministry skills, support one another, and reflect on how God is working across all campuses and programs. A key focus is “passion projects,” Spirit-led ministries rooted in each leader’s calling We’ve already seen the Spirit move powerfully through them
Our vision is a community of spiritually-formed educators devoted to shaping a Gospel culture. As each member steps into ministry, we aim to make Jesus’ love and the Kingdom’s beauty tangible, inviting students to embody the Way of the Warrior living with wisdom, honor, courage, and sacrifice.
The Ministry Cohort team includes members from all campuses, AMSE, BEI, community service, international students, counselors, Athletics, and more
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for Spiritually Formed Leaders & DiscipleMakers.
2. Pray God continues to shape each cohort member into a Christ-like leader
3 Pray for creativity, clarity, and courage as each participant develops and launches ministry action plans. Ask God to use their unique gifts and positions to spark spiritual growth across every department and campus
4 Pray that the Ministry Cohort serves as a catalyst for unity among staff That a Gospel culture flourishes, and all are committed to advancing Valley Christian’s mission with excellence for God’s glory.
BIBLICAL UNITY
“Biblical Unity at VCS uses the critical lens of biblical analysis to approach raising cultural awareness and implement strategies to educate our community.” – Dr. Steven McGriff, K-12 Director of Biblical Unity
Biblical Unity is an integral part of the Spiritual Formation Office As our team seeks to care for the whole person through discipleship and wellness, the role of Biblical Unity is caring for all the diverse groups of people in the VCS community.
Jesus said the greatest command is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:28-33) We believe that following Jesus’ commands to love our neighbor is a significant pathway for uniting people for God’s glory When we embrace our God-given differences, we demonstrate how God wants us to thrive, teach our children to love the nations, and share the gospel of grace and peace with them.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalms 133:1 NIV)
The foundation of biblical unity begins when God created all people on earth in His image (Genesis 1:26) and finishes in the last book, where God welcomes a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language into heaven (Revelation 7:9)
Our deep hope is for our community to become an earthly preview of our eternal reality.
The Bible tells a unifying story of God’s son, Jesus, and how we can live like Him in a culture that presents challenges that often divide our community Biblical Unity uses the critical lens of a biblical worldview to analyze culture and engage social challenges with Christian hope
God has created a wonderfully diverse community at Valley Christian Biblical unity explores how to love our community and neighbors as Jesus modeled in His life. We guide our community to discover how they belong and encourage each other to promote belonging based on the biblical truths of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, not secular socialcultural worldviews
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for the student cultural club leaders planning Carnaval (September 20) to find wisdom and apply godly discernment as they program cultural celebrations that honor God.
2. Pray for the outreach to parents who represent cultural groups and want to build our community to celebrate diversity at VCS
CARNAVAL AT VALLEY
WELLNESS
“YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME.”
Research shows that people today have fewer close friends than they did 30 years ago Ironically, despite the rise of social media, we have become more disconnected than ever
At Valley Christian, our wellness team is committed to supporting students in need, combating loneliness, and fostering healthy connections through programs and personal interactions Across all campuses, our wellness counselors support the social and emotional needs of our students Whether it’s through sessions with a licensed therapist or spending time with Lady Warrior, our wellness dog Our team is ready to provide compassionate care for our community
WARRIORS UNITED
Warriors United is being launched at the elementary this year and expanded in the junior high. Warriors United is a group of students dedicated to befriending peers who are seeking connection and a sense of belonging It does this by bridging students with a student leader in a fun, music-filled space, with games and intentional conversations where everyone can feel included and valued They are launching a weekly outdoor game time that has been envisioned and led by student leaders
LIGHTWALKERS
A monthly, campus-wide program hosted by caring adults in which students learn how to put into practice the Fruits of the Spirit We will dive deep into our core virtues and learn how to problem solve, work through emotions, build friendships, and develop a sense of ownership in the way we treat ourselves and others
KINDNESS CREW
A kids-as-doers initiative to spread kindness around campus Fourth and fifth-grade students choose to participate in discussions and activities that help facilitate a loving, positive school climate
BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS SCHOOL WELLNESS EVENT
WARRIORS CHILL
A quiet, calming nook open to students during Warrior Time on Thursdays The chill room invites students to be still, relax, and regroup away from the hustle and bustle of the lively school environment Caring adults are present
HIGH SCHOOL
Introduce Wellness topics during Navigate In an interactive environment, students learn to address stressors, anxieties, emotional upsets, relational skills, thoughtful decision making, and consider their personal values
PARENT EDUCATION EVENT
Join us for a special parent event centered on The Yes Brain by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies for raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids as Christian families We talk about how this integrates with our faith and Christian worldview. This book club is designed to equip and encourage parents while fostering deeper community across our Valley Christian family We are excited to partner with you as we seek to intentionally disciple our children with wisdom, love, and grace Two options to attend are listed below:
Friday AM: Sep 19, Sep 26, Oct 3
Thursday PM: Sep 25, Oct 2
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Pray for our wellness counselors Jane Bahou, Abra Martinez, and C J Clark as they care for the volume of needs on all our campuses
2 Pray for our junior high and elementary Warriors United clubs to continue to provide a kind and hospitable place where all of our students can belong, and that our new outdoor program would go well
3 Pray for our parents and students as they search and discover a place to belong
4 Pray for our Parent Ambassadors who are looking to reach and minister to other parents
MINISTRY RELATIONS: PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL
Students graduate from Valley Christian, but they do not graduate from the kingdom of God We intentionally build partnerships with local churches and ministries to build a strong network, working together for God’s kingdom
COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS
We are committed to strengthening relationships with Christian colleges and universities across the country. We are currently partnering with:
Azusa Pacific University
Biola University
Westmont College
Grand Canyon University
Wheaton College
We’re incredibly thankful for these connections and excited for VCS Warriors to have options to further their studies in Christian education
CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS
We are grateful to see continued growth not only in the number of churches we partner with, but in the depth and quality of those relationships One of our key goals is to connect families and students with local churches in their communities It's a joy to witness families finding church homes for both youth group involvement and weekend worship.
ALUMNI MINISTRY
It was a blessing to reconnect with many of our alumni over the summer! We’re looking forward to several reunions during Homecoming and we are excited to visit alumni on college campuses around the country
Keep an eye on alumni social media channels (@vchsalumni) for our upcoming visitation schedule we’d love to take you out for dinner and hear about your journey
EVENTS
Pastors’ Prayer and Gathering are scheduled for the Fall and Spring Mark Lodewyk and Steve Dang look forward to visiting Alumni this Fall.
PRAYER REQUESTS
1 Church Partnerships – Pray for deeper connections between students, families, and local churches.
2. Christian Education – Pray for students discerning their next steps with the support of our Christ-centered college partners
3 Alumni Connections – Pray for meaningful reconnections and spiritual growth in our alumni community
VCS ALUMNI AT 2024 HOMECOMING GAME
Visit or
pray
for a local church near you
North San Jose/Milpitas
Echo Church
Christ Community Church of Milpitas
New Beginnings Church
Resonate Church
First Church San Jose
West San Jose/Santa Clara
Vive San Jose
Crossroads Church
Awakening Church
Garden City Church
Neighborhood Christian Center
St Volodymyr Catholic
East San Jose
Evergreen Valley Church
Rohi Christian Church
Family Community Church
Immanuel Baptist Church
South San Jose
Westgate: South Hills
Menlo Church
Cathedral of Faith
Church on the Hill
Gateway City Church
Hillside Church
Holy Spirit Church
Kingsway Community Church
Willow Glen
Willow Glen Bible Church
Foxworthy Baptist
Vertical Church San Jose
Willow Glen United Methodist
Campbell
Bethel Church
Campbell Church of Christ
Central Christian Church
Community Christian: Campbell
Center Set Church
The Home Church
St Lucy Church
Bold Church
Los Gatos/Saratoga
Calvary Los Gatos
Saratoga Federated Church
Venture Christian Church
Noel Presbyterian Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Westgate Church
Visit or pray for a local church near you
Los Altos/Palo Alto/Menlo Park
Bridges Community Church
Abundant Life Fellowship
Crosspoint Church
Vive Church
Menlo Church
New Community Baptist
Lord’s Grace Christian Church
Woodside Priory Catholic
St. Francis of Assisi
Cupertino Creekside
New Life Church Cupertino
St Andrew Armenian
Valley Church
Abundant Life
Milpitas
Ark Baptist Church
Good Shepherd Community
Grace Alliance
New Vision Church
St James Orthodox
San Jose Christian Assembly
Morgan Hill/Gilroy
West Hills
South Valley Community Church
Morgan Hill Bible Church
Community Christian: Morgan Hill
St Catherine’s of Alexandria
St John’s Episcopal
Grace Hill Church
Ministerios Generacion Josue
Gilroy Presbyterian Church
Fremont/Newark/Union City
Forerunner Christian Church
Harbor Light
New Life Valley Church
Pathway Bible Church
St. Joseph Catholic
3 Crosses
Haven Christian
San Francisco
Cornerstone SF
Reality SF
Greek Orthodox Cathedral
San Francisco Chinese Alliance
Convocation
High School Spiritual Retreat
Advent
Discipleship Track
MISSION STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools’ mission is to provide a nurturing environment o ering quality education supported by a strong foundation of Christian values in partnership with parents, equipping students to become leaders to serve God, to serve their families, and to positively impact their communities and the world.
VISION STATEMENT
A world where every student pursues their personal Quest for Excellence™
FOUNDING STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools supports the homes and churches of students in providing an education that is grounded in the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, as reflected in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Valley Christian Schools is committed to a Quest for Excellence™ in all of its educational programs, and provides a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum with a rigorous college preparatory program. Firmly founded on Christian values, Valley Christian Schools challenges youth to aspire toward lives of character, service, and influence while pursuing their individual Quests for Excellence
