About Spiritual Formation

Our culture often spends time asking, “Who am I?” Perhaps the more essential question is, “Who am I becoming?” 

As we know, our lives are a lifelong process of growth, and, over time, our values, attitudes, 
and habits shape who we are today and who we will become tomorrow.

To become the people we desire to be requires intentionality. As Christians, we believe God desires to transform us daily into the likeness of Jesus (Colossians 3:1-17). While the idea of becoming, living, and loving like Jesus sounds daunting, thankfully, this is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is renewing us day by day 
(2 Corinthians 4:16). The Prophet Isaiah writes, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

If you have ever seen our incredible artists or ceramicists crafting their masterpieces, you notice that each brush stroke or sculpted shape is intentional. This picture is the image of God’s work in us. The Apostle Paul calls us “God’s workmanship” (Ephesians. 2:10). In the original language of the New Testament, “workmanship” is the word poiema, where we derive our English word, “poem.”

You and I are God’s intentional work of art. We are God’s masterpiece, shaped by His hands. Our Quest for Excellence stems from the One who intentionally crafted us as His work of excellence (Psalm 8:3-5). In the same way, we believe our spiritual lives thrive purposefully. At Valley, we want to help people grow in their relationship with God, whether they are beginning to explore faith or, as committed followers of Jesus, pursuing their calling. We call this pathway and process of discipleship – Spiritual Formation.

Our Spiritual Formation team will provide spiritual and pastoral care for our K-12 students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and partnerships. We believe God has established Valley Christian Schools as part of His Kingdom mission to Silicon Valley and beyond. Furthermore, we believe a thoughtful pathway and process towards spiritual formation sets us up for what God wants to do in and through our community. By God’s grace, we believe God will do more than we can ever ask or imagine according to His power over the next sixty, eighty, and one hundred years through Valley Christian Schools.

The Spiritual Formation team consists of High School Chaplain and Vice Principal of Student Life, Nathan Smith; Junior High Chaplain and Counselor, CJ Clark; Elementary Chaplain and Principal, Dr. Gabe Guven; K-12 Director of Wellness, Amy Hernandez; K-12 Director of Biblical Unity, Dr. Steven McGriff; VP of Ministry Relations, Mark Lodewyk; Creative Director for Spiritual Formation, Tim Coutts; and led by Chief Ministry Officer and Campus Pastor, Steve Dang.