What happens when faith moves outside the classroom?
From February 9–13, 2026, upper school students at The Woodlands Christian Academy will live their week defined by action rather than routine. During the school’s annual LOVE Week, they will commit to putting faith into motion beyond the campus.
I spoke with Aaron Marez, TWCA’s upper school coordinator of spiritual development, to learn more about the history of LOVE Week and what’s planned for the future. Marez shared that for 2026, the core message he hopes students glean is, “to love the body of believers, known as the Church, and to become the Church for others, wherever they are...”
A Week of Purpose
LOVE Week began in 2021 as one chapel service exploring the expression of God’s love in students’ lives. Building on that foundation, the initiative expanded into a full week of sessions in 2022. By 2023, it had grown into five days filled with worship, messages, breakout groups, and special guests. A celebratory worship concert featuring Christian rapper Hulvey closed the week.
Marez recalls LOVE Week 2025 as particularly meaningful, when students packed 50,000 meals for Mission of Hope in Haiti—a heartwarming expression of love and service. He shared that hands-on projects give students the chance to see the tangible effects and real-world impact of faith made visible.
A Theme That Resonates
The 2026 theme, Love the Church, Be the Church!, emerged after staff prayer and reflection on student spiritual growth. The theme encourages students to understand both the global Church and the biblical call to serve within a local congregation.
Local youth pastors are invited to lead 2026 breakout sessions, giving students the opportunity to engage with local church leaders. Marez shared that TWCA hopes these assemblies encourage students to deepen their involvement with their faith community—whether attending church services more regularly, participating in small groups, or encouraging their families to do the same.
Participation in LOVE Week provides students with spiritual, social, and even academic growth, Marez explained. Students gain confidence in leadership, strengthen relationships with peers, and develop habits of service that carry beyond the walls of the academy.
A Faith-Filled Goal
Looking forward, Marez sees students taking an active role in planning and leading future LOVE Week events.
“Organic faith in action,” he explains, “has the potential to create a lasting culture of service, love, and spiritual growth within the school body. The goal is to foster students who live God’s love outwardly, impacting their families, peers, and community.”
The Heart of the Message
Marez reflects: “Events like LOVE Week offer more opportunities to encounter Jesus in ways outside our normal rhythms. Sometimes our hearts need a shock to bring them back to life; other times they need a few chest compressions to resume pumping for the Lord; and on yet other occasions they need a fresh workout to strengthen how we live and express our faith.”
Through intentional worship, service projects, and community engagement, TWCA’s LOVE Week provides students with a living, breathing framework for faith, allowing them to live out God’s love—both on campus and in the broader community.