This has been the greatest year of Richmond Academy. August 28, classes officially started in our new facility. God supernaturally and miraculously made provision for 100,000+ square feet of classrooms and gymnasium. It took a total of seven weeks and sixty volunteers to finish the inside work. We are so thankful to those that delight in the Lord and to the increase of the Kingdom of God.
This has also been the most organized professional year beginning that we have had. Much thanks is given to the faculty and volunteers to their dedication and patience.
We now look forward to doing our job, training young people. One of our most important emphasis is ministry mindedness. This contrasts us to other educational systems that focus on business quota. Our school is a ministry, not a business and our focus is on ministering the character of Christ to every child’s individual need.
We look forward to continued excellence in Richmond Academy’s ministry to its families.
-Dr. S. Chad Ross
1. Pray for us.
2. Give a memorial or honorarium gift to the Triune Fund
3. Remember Richmond Academy in your will
4. Purchase clothing and decals at our Spirit Shop
5. Schedule us to visit your church or ask your pastor to speak at our chapel
6. Sign up for “.org News” www.richmondacademy.org
7. Turn
in Labels:
Box Tops for Education ($.10/label)
Tyson Chicken’s Project A+ ($.24/label)
Campbell’s Labels for Education
8. Sign up for Verizon Extra Credit for Schools: www.verizonld.com/ecfs/ or 1-888-215-5717
9. Use Meijer’s Guest Card
10. Shop Online: www.richmondacademy.org/shopping.htm
Crystal F.:
The first time [my son] came home and told me his memory verse, it brought tears to my eyes. It is great that my son can get an education and also learn more about the Lord at the same time. I find myself learning with him. Thank you for providing a place that not only teaches but shows God's love in it all.
Don and Penny M.:
We would like to say that [our daughter] has come a long way. She can read better now and write in cursive and is much happier. A smaller class has really helped her and the Christian atmosphere has changed her. Thank you so much for helping our daughter.
Thank you to the 60+ volunteers that helped make Richmond Academy’s dream a reality. God has blessed us; to him be the glory and honor and power and praise!
We are in need of the following goods:
· 1 LCD projector
· 5 computers faster than 800mhz
· Sports Equipment
We are in need of the following services:
· Drama Team Director
· Music Director
· Phys. Ed. Director
· Grant Writer
· Upper School Math Teacher
· Snow Removal
If you can help in any way, please contact the main office.
Do you have a gift or talent that you would like to share with the children? Please contact us about that as well. We are always looking for volunteers to enhance our academic programs.
In today’s society of changing values and morals, unpredictable violence, and worldly philosophies, parents must cautiously guard against the influences that could harm their children’s belief system. Christian parents need educational allies, teachers who have like-minded values and who share the same belief system. When it comes to education outside the home, parents can have no better ally than a Christian school. This is why thousands of informed Christian parents have chosen to pursue an alternative to secular education.
Parents who acknowledge the Bible as the authoritative source of truth can know God’s mind on education. But knowing God’s mind means taking the time to read, study, and understand what He said about education in His Book of holy truths. Here is where many Christian parents fall short; they fail to seek God’s mind about education, either because they are entangled with tradition or they are satisfied with secular education. Unfortunately, these parents will not take the time to analyze the scriptural reasoning for Christ-centered education. In the final analysis, the issue becomes one of having the faith and courage to obey God’s directives or of doing what self wants (Prov. 3:5-6).
Parents who send their children to Christian schools know that their Christian values and beliefs will not be undermined by teachers who espouse worldly beliefs and values. They also know that their children will not be exposed to secular textbooks that promote humanism and evolution.
Undeniably, Scripture instructs parents to train their children in the ways of the Lord. This truth is incontestable! Isaiah 38:19 instructs fathers to make known thy truth [truths] to the children and Ephesians 6:4 directs parents to “bring them [up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 commands parents to honor and obey His words in regard to teaching children. These and numerous other verses speak loudly to Christian parents. God’s intention has always been to give His Son, Jesus Christ, first place in everything parents do, including where their children attend school (Col. 1:15-18).
Does the Bible give parents educational guidelines? Perhaps the question could better be framed, “Is Christian education a biblical directive?” (Prov. 3:5-6). Unquestionably, parents need to know the mind of God in relation to these questions (Phil. 2:5).
These questions challenge parents to differentiate between two philosophies of life—God’s way (theism) or man’s way (humanism). If children are taught by teachers who reject, deny, or hinder the teaching of Bible truths, could one conclude that the teaching-learning process has stepped outside the boundaries established by God?
Likewise, could it be that some well- meaning Christian parents are honestly unaware of what the Bible says about education? Could they also be naive about what is happening in secular schools? Pursuing these questions further, is Christian education a choice or has God taken choice out of the question? God is jealous for His children; He wants them to be educated His way. Parents must remember that God thinks in view of eternity and man thinks in view of the “here and now” (Isa. 54:13; 55:8-11). Unfortunately, too many Christian families with school-age children will ignore these questions, will minimize the importance of these questions, or will never read or hear these questions.
In conclusion, Bible study and prayer are a part of every school day in Christian schools. The uniqueness of Christian education is also found in the way in which academic facts and knowledge are interpreted. Reality is taught in view of God being the author of all truth and what is not truth is not of God. Furthermore, Christian school teachers are committed and dedicated to helping their students grow academically and spiritually.
Application
Is Christian education a biblical directive—yes or no? In formulating a response, first, read and think about the Scripture references listed in this article. Second, consider the application of these verses to education.
Jesus Christ should occupy first place in everything, and, as such, receive the preeminence He is rightfully due (Col. 1:18). Thus, parents and teachers need to instruct their children in biblical truth and to ensure that these truths are an integral part of the teaching-learning process. This is the foundational basis for choosing Christian education. So, what is the answer to the question, “Is Christian education a biblical directive- yes or no?” The answer must be “yes.”
A Publication of the American Association of Christian Schools