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, Chapel Program Director.

Quiet Acts of Kindness Through Connect

Students packed gift bags for the homeless and tucked uplifting cards and notes into classmates’ lockers and faculty mailboxes, spreading quiet encouragement across campus for a recent Connect activity. Connect, Wilson Hall’s small-group advisory program that alternates with Chapel, gives students time to build character, strengthen relationships, and serve others through meaningful activities.
 

Faith Through the Fire

Mrs. Liza Lowder Meyers ’18, an English teacher, led Chapel with a heartfelt message titled “But Even If.” Sharing her family’s experience of losing their home in a 2019 house fire, she connected the story to Daniel 3 and the example of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, who chose to trust God even when He might not deliver them from the furnace. Her message encouraged students to develop “even-if” faith, trusting in God’s goodness not only when He answers prayers as hoped but even when He doesn’t.
 

Leadership Lessons in Chapel

Opening with prayer set a reverent tone for Chapel as Col. Tom Gordon, USMC (Ret.), Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel, shared three core leadership skills with our students. Drawing from his book Marine Maxims, he emphasized turning principles into practice through knowing yourself, remembering that leadership is not about you, and understanding that people don’t care how much you know but will remember how much you care. The powerful message connected faith, character, and purpose. 

Rooted in Faith and Humility

Focusing hearts on the power of God’s enduring love, Rev. Phillip Beacham of Orchard Community Church delivered a moving message during Chapel. Drawing from Acts 10–12, he emphasized the importance of humility and reminded students that, as Romans 8:38 assures, nothing can separate us from the love of the Lord. The WH community remains continually thankful for the Founders Chapel and the opportunity it provides to gather together in worship and fellowship in a reverent and beautiful space.

Chapel Service Focuses on Humility

For Chapel, Kevin Blalock, Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church Sumter, spoke on the importance of humility in Christian life. Drawing from Mark 10:43–45, he reminded students that true greatness comes not from status or power but from serving others, and that to be a faithful servant, one must first be humble.

Chapel Program Opens Year with Emphasis on Faith & Reflection

Grounded in Scripture and shaped by moments of quiet reflection, the first Chapel of the school year invited high school students to focus their hearts on the words of Philippians 4:8, which encourages us to meditate on what is true and good. Mr. Lee Gandy, Chapel Program Director, set a thoughtful tone for the year as he introduced Chapel, urging students to develop an appreciation for stillness and quiet in a world often filled with noise. The message was deepened by the words of Jesus, inscribed on the wall of Founders Chapel: “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for awhile” (Mark 6:31). With gratitude for the beauty and sacredness of this chapel, the service closed in prayer, reminding all present of the importance of beginning the year grounded in faith and reflection.

Former Missionary Speaks at Chapel

Mr. Stephen Dinkins ‘93 was the guest speaker for Chapel 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 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 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.

Lower School "Superhero" Chapel Program

Mrs. Jan Kaneft, a former WH teacher whose grandchildren attend our school, was the guest speaker for lower school Chapel. 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.