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Jr High Campus Blog

Be Still — He Is Our Source Of Peace

April 29, 2025
By Courtney Petersen, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives

When you think of Jesus, what kind of words would you use to describe Him? Confident, compassionate, and peaceful are a few that come to my mind. I recently read the book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer, and was convicted in acknowledging all the hurry and distractions that can inhibit me from being more like Jesus.

As Christians, we are called to be more like Jesus daily: to love, to serve, to be prayerful, to forgive, to be obedient to God’s commands, and to work for justice and peace.

It’s interesting how the enemy tries to distract us from these by simply making us feel busy and rushed. In our fast-paced culture, it’s common to see people searching for solutions to find balance and peace in the chaos of life. You will find many self-help books, meditation apps, and yoga studios that are promoted left and right, fighting for attention as the solution to your stress. Although some of the resources out there offer great tips and exercises, our true source of peace needs to come from Christ. Christ’s peace transcends worldly peace.

We so often find ourselves in a whirlwind of distractions where peace can become a distant word or feeling we hope to experience after all our tasks are accomplished. Maybe it’s work, homework, sports, or taking care of the house or the kids, but we can easily fall into the busy and forget to welcome the peaceful presence of Jesus into those spaces.

Imagine if we prioritized experiencing the peace of Jesus while we work through our to-do lists. I’m sure we’d feel less hurried. John 14:27 (NIV) says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The peace we get from Christ is not something we need to earn or go searching for online. It is a gift given to us that is eternal. We are offered a bottomless well of peace that is available to us at all times. In moments of hurry, fear, or distraction, my prayer is that we can be still and invite Jesus to bring us His peace. I’m convinced that welcoming the peace of Jesus into these moments is how we find His strength, His love, and His power to work through us and make us more like Him.

Thank you, God, for being our source of eternal peace—peace that we can only experience through you.

Right Now Media Resource: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Mini Video Series

Spiritual Formation Events and Opportunities:

If you’re in a place of searching for Christ’s peace, I invite you to join us Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. (two time slots) for a Journey to Freedom. This time will include prayer, worship, and walking through the book Set Free to Lead by Scott Rodin.

National Day of Prayer, May 1  

Worship Night, May 2 (At Pioneer Campus, High School Building, PAC at 6:00 p.m.) 

 

God's Spirit At Work!

April 23, 2025
By Josh Kristoff, Principal

Last week’s junior high and high school chapel (4/16/23) was one of the most memorable experiences from my time as high school principal. The presence of God’s Holy Spirit was palpable. God’s work during high school chapel resulted in many students staying in the Forum Deo Gloria (PAC) for up to an hour after chapel was technically over. Our worship team played an additional song, but the vast majority of the time after chapel was simply students being still with God and praying for one another. Chapel itself and what transpired afterward was possibly the most authentic worship and working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our students that I’ve witnessed in my four years as high school principal. I don’t know why God chose us, but I am so thankful He did.

In today’s chapel (4/23/25), both the junior high and high school reflected on last week’s experience. Several high school students shared testimonies about how the chapel experience last week impacted their lives and deepened their relationship with God. Here’s a link if you want to watch the video from earlier today and hear more about the ways God is working in and through our students. (Student testimonies begin at about 10 minutes.)

Additionally, here is a link to the song Indodana. Our choir performed this song last week for chapel and I referenced their performance during this week’s chapel. It is a powerful song about Christ’s crucifixion.

Please join me in praising God for what He is doing in the hearts and lives of our students, and please pray with me that our students would continue to be submissive to the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. 

Character, Community, and Excellence Beyond the Classroom

April 16, 2025
By Tyler McClung, CCS Board Chair

As Board Chair and a parent at Cascade Christian Schools, I've witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact of our programs beyond the classroom this year.

Coaching our fifth grade elite basketball program has been a personal highlight of mine. Watching these young athletes develop skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship reminds me why our elementary athletics program is so vital. Our community shows up in force for sporting events—from regular season games to state championships at the elementary through high school level—creating an environment where our student athletes feel supported in their pursuit of excellence.

Our performing arts programs have likewise shone brilliantly. The concerts and plays have drawn impressive crowds and showcased exceptional talent. Visitors often remark they forget they're watching school productions rather than professional performances—a testament to our students' abilities and the dedication of those who guide them.

What truly sets Cascade Christian apart is our community spirit. Whether cheering at a volleyball match or attending the spring musical, our families don't just show up—they engage wholeheartedly, creating an atmosphere where students feel known and valued as they explore their God-given talents.

None of this would be possible without our exceptional coaches, teachers, staff, and administrators who go above and beyond their job descriptions. They don't just teach skills; they build character, nurture creativity, and create environments where students flourish.

These extracurricular activities aren't peripheral to our mission—they're central to developing students who are prepared to impact the world for Christ through their faith, service, and leadership.

I'm grateful for everyone who contributes to making Cascade Christian more than just a school. Thank you for being a community dedicated to nurturing excellence in every aspect of our students' development. 

 

Be Still — He Is Our Source Of Help

April 09, 2025
By Ken Friesen, EdD Superintendent

One of the best assurances we can have in life is knowing where to go when we need help. When the help we need is just basic information, we are fortunate to have unlimited resources at our disposal because we live in the age of instant information. All we have to do is hold our phones up and say, “Hey, Siri,” or “Hey, Google,” and we can get help with just about any question that is information-based.  

While having that kind of resource at our disposal is pretty amazing in a lot of ways, it pales in comparison to the help God provides for us; help that is guidance-based, discernment-based, protection-based, provision-based, healing-based, and so much more; help that gives us an incredible sense of peace and enables us to be still while we pray, wait, and trust; help that enables us to navigate the circumstances of life with the assurance that God is sovereign.

I love the strong statements of God being our source of help that we find in Psalm 121 (NIV), and I have listed below some of the phrases contained within the passage:

“Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.”

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.”

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

These are powerful promises of the ways God helps us, which go beyond “getting” information to profoundly “experiencing” God’s wisdom, discernment, protection, provision, healing, or, in other words, God’s unfailing help!

May we all be able to be still, knowing that He is God and that He is our source of help!

 

Recent Posts

4/29/25 - By Courtney Petersen, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives
4/23/25 - By Josh Kristoff, Principal
4/16/25 - By Tyler McClung, CCS Board Chair
4/9/25 - By Ken Friesen, EdD Superintendent
3/26/25 - By Janell J. Webb, Dean of Academics & Ecology Teacher

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