On Friday, February 6, our middle school and high school students stepped away from the usual rhythms of the school day to take part in Timothy Christian School’s annual Spiritual Life Conference. This year’s theme, Pursuit, centered on one powerful truth: God’s presence is worth seeking with our whole hearts.
Guided by the words of Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,” the day invited students to slow down, remove distractions, and intentionally pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.
Setting the Tone: Worship & the Word
The conference began with students checking in, turning in their phones, and gathering together which was an intentional first step toward creating space to focus fully on God. A powerful visual art display by Derwin Sierra helped set the tone, reminding students that worship and reflection can take many forms.
Students then joined together in worship led by the Open Heaven Collective worship team, founded by Zion Divino, an alum from the class of 2017. The students filled the gym with praise and prepared hearts for the day ahead. Both middle school and high school students were encouraged by Pastor Knechtle, whose main session challenged students to consider who they are becoming and who are they imitating. He encouraged the students to find their identity in Christ and told them, “You can know who you are because you know who He is.”
Breakouts That Meet Students Where They Are
Throughout the morning, students participated in age-appropriate breakout sessions designed to address real-life challenges and questions of faith.
Middle school students explored topics such as navigating change, using words wisely, and asking honest questions about faith and life. High school students met in gender-specific sessions focused on relationships and healthy singleness, learning that identity and worth are found in Christ, not in comparison, pressure, or culture.
Later, high school students chose from additional breakout sessions that explored:
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- Worship as a lifestyle beyond music
- Responding to conflict with humility
- The power of forgiveness and freedom from resentment
- Discovering worth and identity as image-bearers of God
Each session encouraged thoughtful discussion, reflection, and practical application.
Faith in Action: Serving Others
A hallmark of this year’s conference was the opportunity for students to live out their faith through service.
All middle school students participated in hands-on projects including:
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- Packing Mercy Kits for those in need in partnership with Jersey Cares
- Creating Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens at Cedar Oaks
- Grade-level service projects, such as assembling snack bags for the homeless, reading to elementary students, and assisting with campus facilities projects
These moments allowed students to see how pursuing God naturally overflows into loving and serving others.
Reflection, Release, and Renewal
As the day drew to a close, students spent intentional time journaling, praying, and reflecting on what God had revealed to them. One of the most meaningful moments of the day was the student reflection on distractions that took place at two fire pits located on campus.
Students wrote down worries, fears, habits, or distractions that were weighing on their hearts, anything that keeps them from fully pursuing God. As homerooms gathered outside, students released those notes into the fire as a symbolic act of surrender, prayerfully offering them to God and choosing to seek His presence more fully.
A Lasting Impact
Spiritual Life Conference 2026 was a day marked by worship, honesty, service, and intentional reflection. Our prayer is that the seeds planted during the conference will continue to grow in the hearts of our students as they seek God not just for a day, but daily.
We are deeply grateful for our speakers, worship leaders, volunteers, faculty, staff, and donors who made this meaningful day possible. Thank you for partnering with us in shepherding the hearts and faith of our students.