Spiritual Formation

At OCS, spiritual formation is a core value that extends to every aspect and activity at the school. Through biblical integration into the classroom, weekly chapel services, faculty and student led Bible studies, service opportunities, and mission trips, students are provided with regular, intentional opportunities to grow in their relationships with the Lord and apply truths from God’s Word to their lives. 

Spiritual formation includes both learning from a Christian worldview and participating in Christian practices like worship, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Just as Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52), it is our goal that students at OCS would be well-rounded in their spiritual lives, being confident in their knowledge of Scripture and in their ability to apply these truths to their lives and share them with others. 

If you have any questions about spiritual life or spiritual formation at OCS, you can contact me through the school office at 405-341-2265. 

In Christ, 
Sam Hitchcock
Director of Spiritual Formation 

  Mr. Sam Hitchcock

   Director of Spiritual Formation

Elements of Spiritual Formation

Chapel

Chapel services at OCS provide a weekly opportunity for students to fellowship together and worship the Lord. These services consist of faculty or student-led worship and a message aimed at encouraging all students toward Christlikeness. Each Chapel service is to be grounded in the Word of God, relevant for students, and applicable to daily life. 

Discipleship

Discipleship opportunities at OCS exist to promote organic spiritual growth among students and staff. These opportunities include Bible classes and weekly chapel services, but also extend to additional events like faculty or student-led Bible studies, chapel discussion groups, and worship services. It is the goal that each of these opportunities provides students practical insights into what the Christian life looks like. Students and families are encouraged to bring any ideas or desires regarding discipleship to the Spiritual Formation Director. 

Service

In Mark 10:45, Jesus states, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” At OCS, we seek to promote this same attitude of sacrificial service that Jesus displayed in his earthly ministry. We value service, because in serving others, we model Christ’s love. Service opportunities are provided for all students throughout the school year. In the elementary school, each class chooses a class mission to serve and pray for throughout the year. In the middle and high school, students work with their Bible teachers to complete required service hours each semester. 

Missions

Mission trips at OCS provide students opportunities to both serve and learn through exposure to different cultural contexts. These trips are focused on offering students a chance to see and more deeply understand what a proper view of missions and service is and what the implications are for their lives. While evangelism is certainly a priority on our mission trips, we realize that those best suited for cross-cultural evangelism are the long-term missionaries or local church leaders in the cities or countries that we visit. Therefore, our mission trips aim to help and support existing missionaries, missions organizations, and local church leaders. Students will be trained in evangelism for all mission trips, and they will also learn from local leaders about what evangelism and service look like in different contexts. 

Parent University

The mission of OCS is to “partner with families in educating the whole person to glorify God.” Parent University is one way that we seek to partner with and equip parents to address relevant issues facing students and families today. Parent University events are hosted at the school at least one night per semester. Past events have addressed topics such as rising mental health concerns in youth, safety with technology, and biblical worldview. Parent University is a ministry of OCS to our families and the Edmond community at large. Parents who do not have students at OCS are welcome to attend, and OCS families are encouraged to invite whoever could benefit from these events. 

Moms in Prayer

Moms in Prayer is an international organization of moms who meet to pray for schools, teachers, and students. The OCS chapter of Moms in Prayer meets on Mondays from 8:10 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. in the elementary cafeteria. All OCS moms are welcome to join the group weekly for prayer. More information can be found here.

Counseling Services

Students who might need space to discuss a personal, emotional, or spiritual issue in their lives are encouraged to talk to their division counselor or Spiritual Formation staff at OCS. The counselors and Spiritual Formation staff also have a list of licensed counselors in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area if professional counseling is preferred or needed.