September 2026

Rooted in Christ

Nick Wilbur - Director of Campus Life

As we step deeper into the 2026-2027 school year, we continue to be reminded of the incredible ways God is working in and through the life of our school. Our spiritual theme for this year, Rooted, invites our entire school community to examine what it means to abide in their relationship with Christ. Drawing from John 15, where Jesus describes Himself as the Vine and His followers as the branches, we are being challenged to consider what it looks like to abide in Christ, grow in Him, and bear fruit that brings glory to God. This theme is more than just a phrase; it is a foundational truth that centers every aspect of what we do at Prince Avenue Christian School.

Throughout the year, we are guiding students to explore four key areas of John 15: The Vine, The Branch, The Pruning, and The Fruit. Each of these provides an important picture of our relationship with Christ and challenges our students to grow deeper in their faith. We will focus on each of these during a specific quarter of the school year.

The Vine. Jesus tells us, “I am the vine.” Our relationship with Christ begins with understanding that He is our source of life, strength, and spiritual vitality. Just as a branch cannot grow or produce fruit apart from the vine, we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. We want our students to understand that being rooted in Christ means spending time with Him, trusting Him, and remaining connected to Him through prayer, His Word, worship, and the local church. Everything we do flows from our ability to abide in Christ.

The Branch. As branches connected to the Vine, our students are called to grow. Being rooted in Christ is not simply about knowing more about Jesus; it is about allowing our relationship with Him to shape who we are and how we live. We want our students to recognize that their identity is found in Christ and that their lives should reflect the One to whom they are connected. On our campus, this means encouraging students to live with purpose, serve others, love one another, and represent Christ in their classrooms, friendships, families, and communities.

The Pruning. Perhaps one of the most challenging images in John 15 is the picture of pruning. Jesus reminds us that the Father prunes the branches that do not bear fruit so that they may bear even more fruit. Pruning is not always comfortable, but it is evidence of God's loving work in our lives. We want our students to understand that God sometimes removes things that distract us, hinder our growth, or keep us from becoming who He has called us to be. Through challenges, correction, surrender, and seasons of difficulty, God continues to shape us and draw us closer to Himself.

The Fruit. When we remain connected to Christ, fruit will naturally begin to grow in our lives. Galatians 5 reminds us of the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities should be evident in the lives of those who are rooted in Christ. Simply put, a healthy tree produces fruit. At Prince Avenue, we want our students to understand that spiritual growth is ultimately demonstrated by the fruit they produce in their lives. The goal is not simply to look like Christians on the outside, but to allow Christ to transform us from the inside out so that His character is evident in the way we live and interact with others.

This year, our students have already had opportunities to experience what it means to be Rooted in Christ in meaningful and tangible ways. Both our middle school and high school students traveled to Sharptop Cove in Jasper, Georgia, for their spiritual retreats. These retreats provided intentional time away from the normal rhythms of school to worship, hear God's Word, build community, and reflect on their relationship with Christ. Through worship services, small groups, recreation, and times of personal reflection, students were challenged to examine where they are rooted and whether their lives are truly connected to the Vine. We have already seen some of the fruit that has come from these retreats, with the biggest being several professions of faith in Jesus!

We are grateful for the ways God continues to move in the hearts of our students and staff. As we journey through this school year, our prayer is that the message of “Rooted” will become more than a theme displayed on our walls or shared in our chapels. We pray that it will become a reality in the lives of our students—that they would remain connected to Christ, allow Him to prune what needs to be removed, and ultimately bear fruit that points others to Him. When our students are deeply rooted in Christ, we believe the impact will extend far beyond our campus and into their families, churches, communities, and the world around them.