First Chapel of the Year: A Call to Worship, Purpose, and Hope

Upper School students and staff gathered for the first chapel of the year, where Mr. Hardee, Head of School, and Mr. Wade, Upper School Principal, set the tone for the 2025-2026 school year by pointing students toward Christ and the year’s school theme: HOPE, drawn from Romans 15:13.

Mr. Hardee emphasized Calvary’s mission statement and reminded students that the school partners with parents to equip students to think, learn, and live from a biblical worldview by integrating God's Word into every aspect of life so they can impact the world for Christ. He called chapel a sacred time of worship and learning about God, encouraging students to show respect and attentiveness.

Mr. Wade shared from Psalm 91 and drew from David Brooks’ book Second Mountain, challenging students to look beyond life’s first mountain of accomplishments and achievements. Instead, he urged them to climb the “second mountain” of living with purpose, building community, serving others, and most importantly, finding their true identity in Christ. He reminded students that “Jesus is our hope.”