Emphasising Traditions During a Week for Spiritual Growth

The 10th grade students pray as the speaker begins a chapel during Spiritual Emphasis Week. [by Dr. Cristina Meier]

by Ana Luisa Helfer

The first week of the 2025-2026 school year, the Pan American Christian Academy (PACA) gave middle and high school students the opportunity to switch up their normal class schedule to attend a combined chapel time in the gym. 

For students at PACA, this tradition is called the Spiritual Emphasis Week, and it is one of the most meaningful events listed on the calendar. It is when chapels are scheduled for different class periods for five days straight.

Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) serves as a time for students to step away from the craziness of back to school and focus on their relationship with God. This year, it occurred during the first full week of August.

Each chapel was carefully planned and presented by Mr. Lucas Ham Swisher, who is a Bible

teacher and the school’s chaplain. Mr. Ham provided meaningful words to share during SEW.

Traditionally, his planning of the first SEW of the year, includes a focus on PACA’s theme verse and the expected student outcome (ESO) for the year. Each year, PACA chooses one of the four “expected student outcomes” (whole, achiever, steward and catalyst) to make their theme motto and verse for that year.

This year, the ESO is CATALYST and the verse chosen was Colossians 3:23, which emphasizes the importance of working for the Lord. This perspective of Spiritual Emphasis Week helps guide his lessons for each day of chapel.

In recent years, the Spiritual Emphasis Week has been scheduled in the calendar at the beginning of the year. Mr. Ham explained why this week is so important for the start of the school year. 

“It sets the tone for the year in terms of unifying us as a school body,” said Mr. Ham. “Doing that through Christ is the best way to do it.”

This week provides a space where they can hear the Word of God clearly, worship together as a school family, and reflect on eternal truths that shape their character.

Spiritual Emphasis week not only impacts students, but teachers and staff as well. For PACA’s director of advancement, Mr. Kevin Flurry, Spiritual Emphasis Week is a time to renew his faith. 

“For me, Spiritual Emphasis Week has been a time of renewal,” said Flurry. “Hearing the messages and worshiping with the students reminds me of the importance of keeping my own walk with God fresh and alive.”

SEW is not only a time for hearing God’s word, but for coming together as a family to worship and praise the One who brings everyone in the PACA community together. It serves as a dedicated time for middle and high school students to focus on their relationship with God.

A week of chapel may seem short, but the encouragement, lessons and wisdom given continue far beyond those five days. 

According to different students at PACA, Spiritual Emphasis Week is a reminder that faith is something they carry into every class, every friendship and every minute of their lives at PACA.