American culture has long accepted a segregation of our secular lives from our spiritual lives. The fact is that there is no secular/spiritual separation. We live one life. We can ignore its spiritual dimension only at our own peril. At Illiana Christian High School we fully acknowledge that all of life needs to be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This means that we view students as God’s image bearers, not merely as citizens or consumers. Teachers are experts in particular subject areas, but they are also spiritual leaders and mentors.

The school has many signs of spiritual activity. Every school day begins with homeroom and every homeroom begins with Bible reading and shared prayer. The whole school reads the same Bible passage, along with some explanatory context. In the span of four years every student will have heard an excerpt from every part of the Bible in morning devotions. Students stay with the same homeroom for their entire time at Illiana to ensure that there is a “home” group for every student.

The entire school has chapel three times each week. These chapels are organized by spiritual leaders of the senior class and by two faculty advisors. This ensures that chapels are very student-oriented. Most chapels consist of students leading in singing, prayer, drama, testimonies, etc. Guest presenters are also invited from the school community, the broader community, or even other parts of the world.

The Christian Service Club, led by students and advised by faculty, organizes a wide variety of service opportunities for students. In particular there is one day each Spring when the whole school spends an entire day serving others in various ways. Students also participate in fundraising for various causes in God’s kingdom.

While we do have devotions and chapels it is important to note that spiritual development takes place in our classrooms and in other school activities constantly. By presenting a well integrated understanding of the Christian life, we will develop a sense of awe for God in a science class and a respect for language as a gift of God’s in an English class. Sitting on a bench for a team, we may learn the spiritual gift of patience. Our intention is to communicate to students a consistent and comprehensive Christian view of life so that they will have a positive and powerful impact on their culture and the world in Christ’s name.

We are very deliberate about making sure that all students feel safe here. This is a place where young people can grow in their service to God and others. Students tend to trust each other so they do not lock their lockers. Teachers tend to trust students with equipment and responsibility. There is a strong sense of family throughout the school and we grieve when that is broken.