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Frederickson Campus Blog

MLK Day and God’s Beautiful Creation

January 21, 2026
By Andrew Gichohi, CCS student & Multicultural Club president

It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. —Isaiah 45:12 (NIV)

What does it mean to be made in God’s image? God made each of us different for a reason. Each and every one of us is a custom designed masterpiece who brings a unique contribution to His plan. It is important we remember these differences as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day, honoring the work he did during the Civil Rights Movement to bring equal rights to African Americans.

We were designed to be a unique reflection of God’s image. Like a prism that refracts distinct colors, we are all different in our own beautiful ways and made to glorify God.

In such an imperfect world, we are called to be beacons of light, using our unique talents and gifts to give glory to God and honor His name throughout the nations of the earth. Revelation 7:9–10 (ESV) says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

In this school year’s theme, Called for a Purpose, we should remember that as brothers and sisters in Christ, God calls us to be united in our differences and not define ourselves based on how we look or where we are from. In Dr. King’s famous speech, he remarks, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

God was very intentional when He made us, because together we create a beautiful, diverse symphony woven together as an expression of His handiwork. We are truly representatives of God’s beautiful creation. 

A Community Centered on Christ

January 14, 2026
By Amanda Koke, Campus Enrollment Manager

Hello, Frederickson families and friends!

My name is Amanda, and I am so excited to be part of the Cascade Christian Schools family at our Frederickson Campus. Even in the short time since I joined, this community has truly captured my heart. I have already seen God’s faithfulness in so many ways, and it is clear that His hand is at work here.

I grew up knowing who Jesus is, and my life has been better because of it. However, I did not receive the same level of intentional teaching, leadership development, or freedom to openly share my faith that our students are blessed with at Cascade Christian Schools. Being here at Frederickson has continued to strengthen my faith and reminds me daily of how meaningful and impactful Christ-centered education can be.

At Cascade Christian Schools, everything we do is grounded in our 4 Pillars: Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, Personal Character Development, and Spiritual Formation. I see these pillars lived out each day through our dedicated teachers, engaged students, and supportive families. Our staff intentionally partner with families to nurture students academically while also helping them grow as leaders, develop strong character, and deepen their relationships with Christ.

I have gotten to know our Frederickson families, and I truly believe God has called each of us here for a purpose. There is a genuine sense of belonging on this campus—you can feel it the moment you step through our doors. Because of this, we are prayerfully committing our upcoming Open House to the Lord, and we would love for you to be part of it. Please join us for the CCS Frederickson Campus Open House on Saturday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Open House is a wonderful opportunity to tour our campus, meet our staff, and experience firsthand what makes Cascade Christian Schools such a welcoming, faith-filled community. We hope to see you there! 

 

 

Called to Walk in Unity

January 07, 2026
By Courtney Petersen, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives

Happy New Year!

It is so exciting to begin January together as we hit the ground running after a refreshing Christmas and New Year’s break. This month, we turn the page in Ephesians to chapter 4, a chapter that marks the beginning of our story. If you’re someone who enjoys setting New Year’s resolutions, my hope is that this chapter inspires you.

From September through December, we walked through Ephesians chapters 1–3, where we learned God’s story: the gospel story. We discovered who we are in Christ because of who He is, what He has done for us, and how we are called to be rooted and established in His love. Now, in chapter 4, we begin learning how to live that truth out as followers of Christ.

Paul opens Ephesians 4 by saying, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” From behind prison bars, Paul urges believers to live in a way that reflects God’s calling and purpose. That calling begins with unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In a world where differences often divide us, God invites us to see our differences as gifts meant to unite us.

One image I love is that of a puzzle. Each of us is a unique piece in God’s masterpiece: different cultures, ethnicities, experiences, passions, strengths, and backgrounds. It can be challenging to engage with people who are very different from us, but I’m always humbled when I remember that I am simply one piece of the puzzle, just as others are. Together, we form God’s complete design, unified in Him and working for His greater purpose.

Jesus secured unity through His death on the cross, bringing Jew and Gentile together into one family. Today, that family includes people from every background, and through Christ, we are united as one. From this foundation of unity, Paul gives us practical guidance for Christian living in Ephesians 4. He challenges us to move:

  • From anger to peace (Ephesians 4:25–27)
  • From stealing to generosity (Ephesians 4:28)
  • From unwholesome talk to encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)
  • From bitterness and revenge to forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31–32)

As we turn away from anger, selfishness, gossip, and resentment, we draw closer to Jesus. When we draw closer to Jesus, we draw closer to one another.

I’m encouraged that we can see this unity at work across our district. Each day we begin in prayer, encourage one another as followers of Christ, gather for chapel, and watch students continue to grow in their faith. These rhythms remind us that unity in Christ is not just something we talk about; it’s something we live out together.

Here are more beautiful examples of the unity I’ve witnessed at CCS recently:

  • In choir performances, students sing different parts and harmonies, contributing their unique talents to create one beautiful song.
  • In basketball games, players have different positions and must use their individual strengths to work together as a team.
  • In the high school multicultural club, students gather to celebrate the diversity of God’s creation, learning from different cultures and perspectives as they grow together as the body of Christ.

Unity is a beautiful gift from God, and the best part is we don’t have to create it ourselves. God has already established unity through His Spirit. Our calling is to recognize it, cultivate it, and protect it.

My prayer for you this month, as you set goals and seek God, is that you would be aware of the unity Jesus has already given us and that you would actively pursue it as you lean into the calling God has placed on your life.

RightNow Media Recommendations:

Ephesians 4 – The Book of Ephesians, session 5:

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/195647?session=202598&position=0

Ephesians 4 – Intro for Kids: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/257963?session=266483&position=0 

 

Called to Live at Peace

December 17, 2025
By Ken Friesen, EdD Superintendent

Greetings, Cascade Christian Community, 

Our spiritual theme focus for the month of December (Called to be Rooted and Established) interfaces well with the four elements of Advent, which are peace, hope, joy, and love. While my hope is that we all experience an extra measure of all four elements of Advent this Christmas season, I want to focus in this moment on the element of peace.

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) says, “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” In this passage, God promises that He will not remove His covenant of peace. The key phrase is “God promises.” In other words, we know God’s peace is something we can count on.

Flipping over to Romans 12:18, we read that as much as it depends on us, we are called to “live at peace with everyone.” The key phrase in this passage is “as much as it depends on us.” In every situation that involves human interaction, we have the ability to extend peace to those we interact with. It is something we have a choice in.

My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is that we would respond to the promise of God’s peace by being intentional about living at peace with those around us, including the people we know well and the people we encounter randomly along the way. Maybe that means being the first to say, “I’m sorry,” or letting someone go in front of us in a line that is already very long, or one of many other opportunities we have daily to live at peace with others.

Praying God’s best for you in this Christmas season,

Ken 

Recent Posts

1/21/26 - By Andrew Gichohi, CCS student & Multicultural Club president
1/14/26 - By Amanda Koke, Campus Enrollment Manager
1/7/26 - By Courtney Petersen, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives
12/17/25 - By Ken Friesen, EdD Superintendent
12/10/25 - By Annie Pichot, Principal

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