Fresh Air, Mount Pisgah’s weekly chapel service in the Upper School, is led by a group of students. 

Consisting of five people – seniors Campbell Cummins, Jade Hudson, Aubrey Sabatino, Tara Rajai and Sophomore Gabe Morgan – the team meets four times a week to plan the music, slides, and game that will take place at the Fresh Air service for that week. 

“The Fresh Air Team allows for student voices to speak into an event that happens almost every week of the school year. Fresh Air is so unique in that our entire Upper School gathers once a week in one room for the purpose of worship and spiritual growth,” said Nathaniel Hillard, Director of Student Life.

 “I think that it is so cool for the team of students to play a role in this important weekly gathering,” said Hilliard. “Beyond planning the details of our community-building gatherings each week, students on the team get the chance to practice what it looks like serving at a worship service, a practice that I hope will translate into serving in a similar setting somewhere else like at a church youth group or future college ministry.”

In addition to planning the technical aspects of Fresh Air, the team also works hard to make sure that the games will connect to the speaker’s message and seek out new ways to keep the audience engaged. 

Each Fresh Air begins with an engaging activity, such as a game, performance or video made by students. The team leads these activities, ensuring to display an enthusiastic attitude to create an uplifting atmosphere. 

“I really love leading the chapel games because it’s just like talking to all my friends close up on stage,” said senior Jade Hudson. “I think it’s a super fun way to bring everyone together and share a laugh with one another.”

After the opening activity comes to an end, the chapel band is welcomed onto stage to perform worship songs which is soon followed by a message from that week’s speaker. This speaker may include a Mount Pisgah teacher, a student and maybe even a guest brought in from elsewhere.  

“This school year we wanted to have a good mix of MPCS staff or students, and also some encouraging voices from outside of the Pisgah community,” said Hillard. “Several times the idea for speakers has been suggested by students on our Fresh Air Team, which has been a great way to make sure our speakers are engaging with what students are desiring to explore in their faith.” 

Through the dedication of the Fresh Air team, Mount Pisgah’s weekly chapel service continues to foster a strong sense of community and spiritual growth among students. By blending worship, engaging activities and meaningful messages, Fresh Air remains a time for connection, reflection and encouragement.