Keystone Program: Chapel & Connect

Chapel Video
Through the Keystone program, the school offers two programs for students, Chapel and Connect. Students in 1st-12th regularly attend chapel services in the Founders Chapel, focusing on developing positive character traits with a faith-based perspective. Qualities such as gratitude, integrity, kindness, love, perseverance, bravery, and humility are explored.  For Chapel the school often welcomes guest speakers such as published authors, local youth ministers, and veterans.

Middle and high school alternate weeks in Chapel. On weeks that one set of students is not in Chapel, that group engages in Connect, which is small group programming. Led by faculty members in homerooms, Connect is tailored to each grade level, serving as an extension to the Chapel program.  

For more information, please contact Lee Gandy, Director of Chapel Program.

Former Missionary Speaks at Chapel

Mr. Stephen Dinkins '93 was the guest speaker for the high school's chapel program in the Founders Chapel, where he shared an inspiring message with students and faculty. A former missionary, he emphasized that every follower of Christ has a calling to share the good news of Jesus, a calling that comes from four places: Above, Below, Outside, and Inside. Using scripture from Acts, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Luke, he illustrated this Biblical truth, encouraging students to embrace their faith and recognize the divine purpose in spreading God’s word. His message served as a powerful reminder of the responsibility and privilege of sharing the gospel with others.

High School Chapel: Cultivate Gratitude

Mrs. Sarah Smith, College Counselor, inspired us during this morning’s high school chapel with a heartfelt message about cultivating gratitude. Through acknowledging the gifts in our lives, she highlighted how gratitude can transform perspectives, diminish negative emotions like anxiety and frustration, and foster positive feelings such as joy and happiness. Moreover, she emphasized how gratitude nurtures generosity, reshaping our communities.

Middle School Chapel: Put on Love

Colossians 3:14 "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."  Mrs. Lori Brown, a history & math teacher, spoke at the Middle School Chapel program in the Founders Chapel, inspiring students with a heartfelt message from Colossians 3. She challenged them to “put on love”—embracing this scripture by choosing to bless others through kind words and thoughtful actions.

Local Youth Pastor Speaks at Chapel

We welcomed Mr. Neil DuBose, the youth pastor at Bethesda Church of God, for the October 30th program in the Founders Chapel. Using the colors of candy corn along with supporting scripture, he spoke of yellow signifying the firm foundation we have in the teachings of Christ, orange indicating service and how we should have a servant’s heart and put the needs of others before our own, and white representing the purity of God’s love.

The Citadel Chaplain Speaks at Chapel

High school students gathered in the Founders Chapel to hear Aaron Meadows, a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and the Chaplain to the Corps of Cadets at The Citadel, the guest speaker for bi-weekly chapel program. He encouraged students to live generously, find the joy in the life God has given us, and to make time to spend alone with God each day, quoting the inscription on the chapel wall: Come away by yourself to a quiet place and rest for awhile (Mark 6:31). 

Lower School "Superhero" Chapel Program

Mrs. Jan Kaneft, a former WH teacher whose grandchildren attend our school, was the guest speaker for the lower school chapel program. With superheroes as the theme, she spoke about how we should wear the armor of God and how we are all superheroes in His eyes. Using Phillippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Mrs. Kaneft illustrated that we should armor ourselves with patience, faithfulness, kindness, generosity and love.  

Diver Speaks of Faith in God after Ocean Rescue

Ben Wiggins was the guest speaker at both the high school and middle school chapel programs, speaking to students about the importance of his faith in God as illustrated by his harrowing recount of being stranded at sea. He and three others, who were on a dive trip 60 miles off the coast of South Carolina, were afloat in the Atlantic Ocean for over 12 hours. The men had been spearfishing and, through a series of events, were unable to board their boat when resurfacing. Wiggins, a retired Navy diver, used his training to keep them alive in the darkness of the ocean. His message of encouragement to the students was to pray without ceasing and to have trust in God in even the most dire of circumstances.

Maj. Brennan Speaks at Chapel Program

U.S. Army Major Brian Brennan was the guest speaker for the high school chapel program. An Operation Enduring Freedom combat veteran who suffered life-threatening injuries in Afghanistan, Maj. Brennan delivered an inspiring presentation about perseverance and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He also shared how his faith helped him during recovery and how it continues to be a very important part of his life, and he graciously answered a variety of questions from the students and faculty. Maj. Brennan created the Brennan Stands Alone Foundation to assist current and former members of the U.S. armed forces injured in the line of duty and their families.