Archives - March 2025
Sixth Graders Leading with Faith and Teaching “Be Still… Even When.”
March 26, 2025
At Cougar Family Chapels, something truly special happens every week—our sixth graders step up as spiritual leaders, guiding younger students in worship and prayer, and teaching them about Jesus. This year’s spiritual theme, "Be Still… Even When," is teaching us all about trusting God in every situation, even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.
Sixth Graders Taking the Lead
One of the most unique aspects of our Cougar Family Groups is that they are student-led. Our sixth graders prepare Bible lessons, share personal testimonies, and lead worship songs that inspire and encourage their peers. Watching them rise to the challenge and step into this role with confidence and faith is a beautiful reminder that God works through all ages.
"Be Still… Even When" — What It Means
This year’s spiritual theme is based on Psalm 46:10 (NIV)—Be still, and know that I am God. It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well, but what about when things don’t go as planned? Our students are learning to be still in their minds and trust Jesus even when things are not going well, and that, regardless of circumstances, God is exalted, faithful, and sovereign. They are learning to be still in their hearts, knowing that God is with us and that He is our source of strength and joy. And finally, they’re learning to be still in their actions because God is our defender and our source of help and peace. They learn through each lesson about a Bible figure who lived out these characteristics well, and how they can put their own feet to their faith. Being able to gather in their groups and work together on the monthly lessons and activities becomes a time students greatly look forward to throughout the year.
Be My Witnesses
March 19, 2025
It's hard to believe that we are, once again, approaching the beginning of another IMPACT Term season. I find myself consistently in awe of God’s faithfulness and kindness in continuing to bless and expand our I-Term program. In the high school, we will be sending students back to the tip of South Africa for the 13th year, we will be embarking on new adventures in both Honduras and Brazil, and we will be sending students back to Guatemala and Zion National Park. On the local level, we will be returning to some of our long-standing ministry partners, including Tacoma Rescue Mission, Puyallup Food Bank, Care Net, and Olive Crest. Additionally, we will be establishing new partnerships with Meeker Mansion and Knutson Farms.
On the junior high level, we are thrilled to announce that this will be our first year running an official I-Term program for seventh and eighth grade students. We will be sending students to Washington D.C., San Francisco, and the Oregon Coast. We will be establishing partnerships with Ali’s Prom Project, New Beginnings, Rainier Rehabilitation, World Vision, and Fisher House to name a few.
As I-Term becomes even more deeply ingrained into the core of CCS, the Lord continues to open doors and create connections around the Pacific Northwest and the world. We truly believe that our students are called to “... be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” (Acts 1:8, NIV)—Here, near, middle, and far.
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State of the School Annual Report
March 12, 2025
Next week we will be mailing out our State of the School annual report. There are countless blessings we are grateful for, and we're excited to share them with you. We’re covering content about the seven 2030 vision goals that serve as the building blocks of our district, including:
- Educational Excellence
- Financial Resources
- Human Resources
- Community Engagement
- Enrollment Management
- Advancement
- Operational Excellence
We rejoice each year about all the incredible things God is doing at CCS. This year, we are celebrating increased MAP test scores, CCS student participation in coding and robotics events/competitions, a state championship win for our golf team, new and exciting community events, and more! You can find a digital link to the State of the School report here, and look for the print version in your mailbox soon!
Both our dedication to Jesus and our commitment to integrity, excellence, and honor make our community unique. This community is truly special, and we're grateful for each of you being a part of it. God has blessed CCS in remarkable ways. If you have any questions regarding the State of the School report, we invite you to reach out to your campus leader.
In addition, McAlder Campus hosted a parent Q&A session last month. The subjects discussed during this meeting were largely focused on district-wide topics rather than those specific to the McAlder Campus. If this is something you are interested in, you can link to the video here, or on the State of the School page.
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
—Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
Be Still — He Is Our Defender
March 05, 2025
This month our spiritual theme encourages us to “Be Still” in our actions because we know that God is our defender. We have all felt the need to defend ourselves. Realistically, this is seldom because our lives are physically at stake and most often because our security, reputation, or desires are at stake. I can remember a very difficult season in my own personal life when I was falsely accused and misunderstood in such a way that my life was upended dramatically, and the only hope I had was that God is my shield and my defender. During this season, God did not deliver me from the effects of the poor choices others made, but I sure learned that God was for me, His way for me was good, and His timing was perfect.
A historical account in the Bible, set in ancient Persia during 4th century BC, tells us of how an oppressive prime minister, Haman, schemed to annihilate all the Jews of Persia—simply out of prideful anger toward a Jewish man, Mordecai. Mordecai, in an effort to rescue his people, enlisted his beautiful cousin Esther to present herself to King Xerxes as a potential bride. As the story goes, the king became enamored with her, and she bravely used her influence to advocate for her people. This required a tremendous amount of courage for Esther, as petitioning the king without being summoned could result in death! Nonetheless, she boldly yielded to Mordecai’s counsel:
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:14, NIV
Esther went to King Xerxes to intercede on behalf of the Jews. Though God’s name is never explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, the above verse makes it clear that God would have delivered His people with or without Esther’s help because He is their defender. In Esther's courageous step of faith, she gets to be the means of their deliverance and witness what God our defender can do.
Sometimes being still means being silent and trusting God to work on our behalf. Sometimes it means showing up and doing hard things and trusting God to work in our situation. In both instances, do you notice how God is the one working on our behalf? Friends, He is our defender!
