At Gyeonggi Suwon International School (GSIS), there are three days every year where students devote to God rather than studying. Spiritual Emphasis Week, or S.E.W, is spent singing with guest Christian bands from America and listening to speeches from a special Christian guest.
Spiritual Emphasis Week is an exciting and unique time at GSIS. Each school division takes three days away from their normal academic schedule to focus on the importance of knowing God, develop unity and understanding among students and staff, and learn to show God’s love through service to our community.
Stepping away from their traditional student/teacher roles, the entire GSIS community plays games in order to get know each other as sisters and brothers in God’s world, participate in a praise that is lead by a worship band. What do these all have in common? They are all opportunities for students to GROW: to grow in knowledge, to grow in love through experience and service, and to grow in faith through an active relationship with Jesus Christ.
This year, high school students spent their S.E.W. going from large group chapels, to small group reflections with their peers and staff leaders. These small groups of students go through a series of recreation games and challenging physical obstacles in order to build team unity and foster understanding and friendships between students who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to get to know each other.
Junior Stephanie Gam said, “This is my first year of both S.E.W. and GSIS. I learned many things through our S.E.W. group. The most memorable mission was taking a picture that represented friendship. My three group members and I mimicked the cover from the Beatles album Abbey Road. Because I was new, I was worried about getting along with my group, but all of them, including the group leader, Ms. Emery, made me feel welcome.” Senior Kylie Reimer added, “Even though I was a Christian, I didn’t know how strong Christianity was. I felt this through SEW and I loved how we called each other sisters and brothers since we are all children in God’s World.”
While some may complain that S.E.W. interrupts the academic schedule, it is important to realize that school is first and foremost, a community. S.E.W. allows us to grow closer, not only to God, but also to each other.
