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Spiritual Formation

GROWING SPIRITUALLY

Jesus at the Center

The University of Valley Forge (UVF) is a Christ-centered institution committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ that will be ministers of the gospel in every context of life. As part of this commitment, we believe that biblical truth necessary to the life of every believer can be described using four spiritual pillars.

Eyes closed and hands raised, a group engages in an indoor spiritual gathering, exuding focus and serene participation.
ROMANS 1:16

His Gospel: Behold and Become

His Gospel is not only the power to save us from our sins and wretchedness, but it is also the power to change us into the likeness of Christ (Romans 7:24-25). Our salvation, which comes from God through the work of Jesus Christ, cannot be earned by human merit or striving. Beholding the gospel means having a growing sense of Jesus’ love in our hearts which overwhelms our old desires and affections (“We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19; “See what great love the Father has lavished on us” – 1 John 3:1; John 17:20-26). Becoming refers to the shift of affection within our heart that expels lesser loves (idols) and causes us to love Jesus and the things that Jesus loves (Romans 8:28-32).

Christ satisfies our desire for significance, which frees our heart from the need to gain importance (“We… contemplate the Lord’s glory… are being transformed into his image” 2 Corinthians 3:18; “Come to me all who are weary and burdened” Matthew 11:28 ). The power of the Gospel is to behold the beauty of Jesus and become more like him.

JOHN 15:5

His Presence: Abide and Live

His Presence is where we abide in Christ and live through Him. Being with Jesus as described in John 15:5 is to abide or remain with him by spending extravagant focused time with Jesus. Followers of Jesus must learn to abide by Spirit and Truth (John 4:24), which is the presence of the Holy Spirit and the presence of the Word. When we abide in Jesus our heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit in His presence so that we can live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Because we can do nothing apart from Jesus, we must abide.

There are four contexts of remaining in Jesus: large group (more than 8-10 people), small group (6-8 people), one on one, and alone with Jesus (“they were all together in one place” – Acts 2:1; “they continued to meet together… they broke bread in their homes,” Acts 2:46; Nicodemus- John 3:1-19; “Jesus withdrew to solitary places to pray”- Luke 5:16).

A group gathers, hands raised in worship or celebration, with international flags in the background adding a global touch.
Four students chat happily on a tree-lined campus path, backpacks in hand. Nearby, a modern building and autumn foliage set the scene.
MATTHEW 4:19

His Ways: Follow and Obey

His Ways is based on the foundation of His Gospel; you cannot learn to obey Jesus and follow His Ways if you have not seen His love for you. When your heart is transformed by the power of His Gospel and you abide in His Presence daily, your heart will lose its old affections and begin to have affection for Jesus instead. Because Jesus has treasured us, we can obey Him with great delight (“Whoever has been forgiven little loves little” Luke 7:47). True obedience is not just behavior modification but having a love for the commands of the Lord and a submission to His word (“If you love me you will keep my commands” John 14:15).

While legalism teaches that you must follow the commands of Jesus so that you can be accepted by Him, following His Ways means that you obey because you have already been accepted through Christ, the one who died for you (“We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19).

ACTS 1:8

His Mission: Receive and Go

His Mission is the biblical mandate that Christ has given to His church to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is a call for every follower of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). All followers of Jesus belong to the priesthood of believers in which the people of God do the work of the ministry to bring the truth of the gospel to all and train others to follow Jesus. Vocational ministers, while they have a special place in the body of Christ as equippers of the saints, are merely equippers for the rest of the body (Ephesians 4:11-13).

When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, he gave to the body of Christ the power to make other disciples. The only way that disciples can complete His Mission is through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for the harvest of saints (Acts 1:8).

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Admissions FAQs

Yes, most colleges and universities accept homeschool transcripts. You’ll need to create a transcript that lists all courses taken, grades earned, and a brief description of each subject. Many colleges may ask for additional documentation to verify the curriculum or learning outcomes. 

A homeschool transcript should include the following:   

  • Student’s name and contact information   
  • A list of courses by grade level (9th-12th)   
  • The grades and credits earned for each course   
  • GPA  

You can use online tools or templates to help structure your transcript.

Transcript Template (Right-click and “Save Link As” to download)

No, colleges understand that homeschool students may follow a non-traditional curriculum. You are not required to use a specific homeschooling program, but the courses should be rigorous and meet the academic standards of the college. 

UVF is test-optional, . It’s best to check each college’s specific testing policy. If you submit them, we will use those test scores for placement into math and English courses.  If you don’t submit test scores, we have placement tests that we designed that you will take instead. 

Homeschool students are encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteering, internships, etc.). For letters of recommendation, you can ask mentors, tutors, employers, or community leaders who are familiar with your work and character. We understand that your experiences may look different from those of traditional students. 

Homeschool students typically don’t have a GPA or class rank based on a standardized grading system. You may be asked to provide your grading scale (e.g., A = 90-100, B = 80-89, etc.) and explain how you evaluate coursework. . 

If your grading was pass/fail, a work sample does help us evaluate the rigor of your coursework. 

Yes, homeschooled students are eligible for the same federal and state financial aid (e.g., FAFSA) as other students. You are also eligible for institutional scholarships. 

You may be asked to provide documentation showing that your homeschooling complies with the laws of your state (e.g., notice of intent to homeschool, records of testing or assessments). We are familiar with most states’ homeschool laws. 

Yes, you can still apply as a homeschooled student if you were homeschooled for any portion of high school. You’ll need to explain the structure of your education and provide transcripts for both your public/private school and homeschool years, if applicable. 

A GED is not required if you have completed your high school education through homeschooling, provided you can submit a detailed transcript and meet the other application requirements. However, if you took the GED, you may submit those scores as part of your application if they are beneficial. 

We value the self-motivation and discipline that often come with homeschooling.  Our homeschooled students typically excel in academic curiosity, resilience, and ability to work independently. 

We always encourage students to come for an on-campus visit.  It can be a great opportunity to showcase your personality and explain your homeschooling background in person. It’s also a chance to ask questions about the college and demonstrate your interest in the school. 

Homeschooling allows you to tailor your education to your interests and strengths. We appreciate the diversity of perspectives that homeschool students bring, so don’t be afraid to highlight how your education has been non-traditional but still rigorous and meaningful. 

If you’ve taken college-level courses during high school (dual enrollment), make sure to include those credits on your application. You’ll need to request official transcripts from the college(s) where you took courses and submit them to your prospective schools. 

Some scholarships are specifically for homeschool graduates. These may be offered by homeschool associations, local foundations, or certain colleges. It’s a good idea to research scholarships in your area or inquire about opportunities at the colleges you’re applying to.