Community is a gift.
We are so grateful for the teachers and students who have impacted our children for the last four years. Are they perfect people? No. I think all of them pictured here would laugh if I said that they were perfect. These intelligent, creative, self-sacrificing, unique, fun-loving, adventurous, wonderful people are the community of Christian Central Academy. God brought us here together that we, with our children, might grow in "wisdom, and stature, and favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Perfection was never our intention when we chose Christian Central Academy for our children's education. Christian community was the hope and the reason that we made drastic changes in our two children's educational trajectory. We longed for God's direction, and with one verse, that led our way from cradle until 2015, we followed Him to this people, this place. From the time our children were born, my husband prayed Luke 2:52 by their bedside. He prayed that God would lead them like his own Son, that our two children would grow in "wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man" and that we, as their parents, would do nothing to hinder His teaching, but that we would serve Him and honor Him in that journey.
The day I came to visit Christian Central Academy, the very first thing that I saw above the building entrance was that verse. Luke 2:52 was God's word and confirmation to welcome our family into the community of Christian educators and families seeking God's direction and blessing in this world, just like us.
We have been at CCA for almost four years now. Our son is a sophomore. Our daughter is a senior, and she will graduate this June. She loves her school and is thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn with good friends, caring teachers, an incredible volleyball coach, and an inspiring art teacher. Throughout her high school experience she has been motivated and encouraged to embrace leadership opportunities. She has been challenged to employ her gifts, talents, and creative ideas. She has been led to consider how she could positively impact her school and community. Throughout these four brief high school years she has learned, in small and tangible ways, what it feels like to set goals, to research, to be on a team, on a committee, to agree, to disagree, to respect others, to plan, to face disappointment, to apply prayer, to study, to fail, succeed, to write, revise, persist, and continue to work for her own good and for the good of others. If you asked her, she would tell you that this school has made the greatest impact on her heart and life for Christ. She came to Christian Central Academy in 2015 so broken, but because of great love and strong intention that only God could administer through His people, she is leaving mended, molded, and confident to move forward as God leads her into art education. Has her high school journey been without trials? Without doubt? Without tears? No. It's a complete education; it's a faith journey. Conflict is inevitable, right? Thank God for His Word that grounds us in truth and holds us to His side immovable as we, in community, learn and grow and hold to faith with others who long for Him (Romans 5: 1-4).
Every student, every teacher, every faculty member, every lesson, every field trip, every sporting event, every rule - I kid you not - has played a significant role in drawing the four of us closer to God and to one another. We have learned truth - eternal truth - through the people and biblical principles that shape this community.
This past weekend our children went on a weekend trip to New York City. Their teachers and a self aid went with them as chaperones and educational guides. The lessons that were learned, the memories that were made are all priceless to them and to us. We had complete peace and total confidence in our teachers. Our children were not only encouraged, educated, and mentored, they were also loved, guided, and protected by faculty and staff who prayed for God to bless, protect, and foster positive experiences for each student. What a gift!
Our children were exuberant with stories about what they saw and did on their NYC adventure.
They were given a glimpse of life that we could never have given them without this godly community. The community that we choose is a gift. We, as their parents, are only one piece of that very large - world sized- community puzzle. Teachers and friends, the people in our school community, are so critical to who they are becoming apart from us.
Our children will do, one day, exactly what we have done. They will choose a place to live and a people with whom they will experience life. Our prayer is that they will hold to the same gracious and merciful Guide that has blessed our lives as a family. God is so faithful. His Word, His illuminating, unfailing Word, is "a lamp to our feet and a light to our path" (Psalm 119:105). May this lesson lead their journey. To God be the glory in His people.
You are welcome and wanted here at Christian Central Academy. Come grow with us. Come join our community. A wonderful gift awaits.
In His Grip,
Laura Lewis
English Department Chair
Middle School English Teacher
Ad Lucem Editor
Christian Central Academy
"My heart overflows with a good theme...My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." Psalm 45:1
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