Yesterday, I asked the 5th and 6th graders, “When’s the best time to plant a tree?” 

“Spring?” a few murmured.

“20 years ago” I shared, quoting the old saying “the second-best time is now!”

This week, middle schoolers at Rockford Christian have the opportunity to plant trees as a service-learning component to their iXplore experience. In partnership with Trout Unlimited and LGROW (Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds), students are planting Tulip Poplar, American Hornbeam, Swamp Oak, White Pine, Black Gum, and River Birch in strategic locations on our 30+ acre campus. These native trees provide a diversity of habitats for animals and act as a sponge, keeping rainwater on our property.

Beyond the ecological benefits, they will provide shade, beauty, and inspiration to our PreK through 8th-grade students.

I invited the middle schools who planted the trees to imagine what they might look like in 20 years. How will they grow? How big will they be? Where might they themselves be in their own development?

Planting is an act of faith. The 25 trees that middle schoolers will plant this week connect to our District theme from Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” We have faith that God is preparing a way for our growth and flourishing in Him. 

Blessings,

— Ben Buursma