JUPITER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, JANUARY 9-11, 2024 – While academics are an important part of school, it is still vital that students have time each year set aside to focus on their spiritual walk.

I interviewed Pastor Bill Murawski about Spiritual Emphasis Week, which he has been involved in since last year. Murawski told me that the goal of Spiritual Emphasis Week was to be “intentional about carving out time to initiate and ignite faith.” He explained that it was meant to inspire students in their walk with Christ. No one knows what the future of Spiritual Emphasis Week will hold, but two things are for sure; Spiritual Emphasis Week will continue, and student input is always welcome.

Pastor Bill shared how even though the events of the week are slightly spontaneous, planning for Spiritual Emphasis Week begins roughly six months before it takes place. Some of the planning is finding a speaker and formatting the week, but that is nothing compared to the amount of effort that goes into planning the theme and sermon for the week, as well as how it will fit into what is studied in the following weeks. Mr. Murawski says that the speaker is significant, and believes that having Jordan Arce, back for his second year, accomplished even more than intended.

He told me that throughout the week he saw changes in the student body and noticed more students paying attention and being involved. Spiritual Emphasis Week benefits the whole school because it increases connectedness and creates unity, as well as allows students to be more vulnerable.

Pastor Bill explained that students who have just come to Christ should focus on getting plugged into a church and praying about their next steps. He reminded me that the devil likes to plant seeds of uncertainty, but it is important to remember that God loves His people and that nothing can come between Him and His children.