Unity and Mission Alignment: This Year’s Spiritual Formation Theme

The Spiritual Formation program is core to Liberty's curriculum, as we train up students who are strong in their faith to be more like Christ, and possess both head knowledge and, God willing, heart knowledge of what it means to follow Christ. 

Each school year, we select a theme to guide our reflection and focus our efforts. This year's theme is Unity and Mission Alignment. We are one school with one vision and one mission. "As we start our third school year split between two campuses, we want to emphasize how we are one student body who will ultimately be on one campus soon," says Mrs. Hagstrom, founder and headmaster of Liberty Classical Academy. 

"Our mission remains clear. Liberty Classical Academy equips students to grow  in wisdom, excellence, and purpose by offering an education based on the highest academic standards grounded in a strong classical tradition from a distinctively Christian worldview."

Mr. Jeremiah VanAcker started his new position as the Spiritual Formation Director at Liberty Classical this summer. While new to this position, he is not new to the students. Mr. VanAcker joined Liberty Classical in 2023 as the middle school Bible and history teacher. His passion for Jesus and for his students made him a good fit for the role of Spiritual Formation Director.

Q: What have you found most rewarding so far in your first month as Spiritual Formation Director? 

It has been rewarding to gain a fuller understanding of the Liberty model. Teaching the last few years has given me a glimpse into this, but stepping into a directorial role has allowed me to step behind the curtain and reveal even more. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the thought, care, and intentionality that go into helping our students receive the fullest education possible. The staff and faculty here at Liberty care deeply for the education of our students, but they care even more about the spiritual well-being of our students' hearts. As the Spiritual Formation Director, it makes my job much easier and more rewarding.  

Q: This year’s spiritual formation theme is unity and mission alignment. Can you talk about some of the heart behind it?

Unfortunately, our cultural disunity is at an all-time high (at least in my lifetime). As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness. Our school is at a transitional point, with its split campuses and new construction underway. We wanted to give ourselves a clear reminder that we are one unified school, despite the current physical separation. If the only thing that unified us were a building or a flawless permit drawing process, we would be in big trouble. Thankfully, our unity and mission are centered around Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. This reality shapes everything we do, from the classroom and athletic fields to community engagement and beyond. All of these are built on our unified commitment to Christ and His mission for each of us. Despite setbacks and persecution from the outside world, Liberty Lions stand firm together, not by our own strength, but through Christ who unites us to His mission.  

Q: In your opinion, what are some of the ways you see unity and mission alignment taking place at Liberty this year?

Student initiative is a big one. Our students are incredible leaders, and it has been so rewarding to see some of the ways they have stepped in and taken the lead in their own and their classmates’ spiritual formation. Personal buy-in is foundational to Spiritual Formation. It has been awesome to see how much our students are willing to personally invest in the spiritual lives of everyone at Liberty.

Q: What are you most excited about for the remainder of the school year?

I am most excited to continue to get to know our students, but on a larger scale! God’s hand in bringing Bay and me to Liberty, and this position in particular, has been so clear. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for my family and Liberty in the years to come.