Spiritual Life

Spiritual Life is the heart of RVA.  All the staff members are missionaries who God has called to work with students here at believe that if we prepare them academically, but neglect their walk with God, we have failed at our task.  In order to accomplish this task we have a number of required elements and several optional ones.

Sunday School attendance is required up to grade 10 and is designed to make more practical what they are learning in Bible class.  For example, sophomores are learning about the life of Christ in Bible class.  In Sunday school we attempt apply his teaching to life.  Sunday schools are taught by staff members, giving us one more way to be involved in the lives of students.

Sunday morning worship is also required.  Since the primary audience is teenagers, that is reflected in our worship.  On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there is required chapel with a staff member sharing a short devotional or message.

Tuesday and Thursday are optional chapels, frequently led by students, where students may pray or worship if they choose.

For the junior high age level on Sunday nights we have a program called Junior High Rock.  In this program the kids are taught the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a typical youth group setting.  They are divided into small groups with a junior or senior as their counselor, giving the junior or senior a chance to develop leadership and discipleship skills.

We offer a number of other ways for students to realize and develop their leadership gifts.  On Thursday nights there is a student planned and led worship opportunity called Koininia.  This is optional, and a typical youth group experience as well.  Each week the leadership team plans a program based on the topic or issue of the day.  Sunday Night Live is another youth group opportunity held on Sunday nights.  This is also student planned and led, but is designed to be primarily a worship time.  Occasionally the students will be challenged by a staff or student speaker.  Finally, Leadership is offered as an elective where students can discover and develop gifts of leadership in youth ministry.

Each year we have a Spiritual Emphasis Week which is a time of spiritual growth for both staff and students.  We have found it an excellent way to kick off the year.  Mentoring or discipleship are important parts of spiritual growth.  Students have the opportunity to ask a mature adult to come alongside of them to enhance their spiritual growth.

Our goal is to reach every kid where he or she is at spiritually.  Through various ministries offered we pray God will work and elevate them to the next level.  We want kids to grow.