2025-26 Theme Verse

GRACE Families,

I want to welcome all of you back to the 2025-2026 school year. I pray you all had a wonderful and restful summer. I hope you and your students are eager to return for an exciting school year. Kat Whelpley (Assistant Christian Life Director) and I are looking forward to an incredible year investing the hope of the Gospel into the hearts of your children.

I am excited to share with you our theme for this school year…Love God; Love People. Our theme passage is Matthew 22:37-40, “And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)

As we strive to live lives of distinction as believers, it is essential for us to remember what is truly important. We are excited to help your students understand the proper way to order our loves and to help them see how Gospel fueled love for people must flow from a deeply devoted love for God. The order is important, and our prayer is that your children will allow a full-out love for God to shape their love for people, so that we can have a Christ-exalting impact on our community.

We will be weaving this theme throughout many areas of our school this year—from the banners welcoming students on both campuses to the foundation of our chapel times. Our prayer is that everyone who comes to GRACE will be moved to love and worship Jesus above all else, while enjoying the blessing of living in community with fellow believers at school and in our churches

If Kat and I can ever help your family in any way, please let us know. We love the opportunity GRACE gives us to partner with you all in the discipleship of your children. Please reach out to us as needs arise.

We look forward to a wonderful year as we all grow in wisdom!

In Christ,

Blake Hickman

Christian Life Director