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Reflecting on Christian education and its benefits recently, I tapped into a memory of my college years. Yes, for me, my undergraduate college life was a long time ago–decades even. But in this fallen world, there are some things that never change. Here’s a story that may relate to our students that you, their parents, may find helpful as we partner together in preparing them for the “real world.”

I grew up in the “Bible Belt,” having spent most of my formative years in Upstate South Carolina. All my friends were Christians, sharing the same basic beliefs I embraced and guided by the same moral compass. In fact, my best friends attended the same church I attended. Growing up this way, I understood the world as a relatively safe place full of like-minded Christian believers. This view changed when I went to college.

I attended a conservative, private, women’s college in Georgia–still in the Bible Belt, still among generally conservative, southern young women. One of my first experiences, however, was in my freshman World History class. The professor did not believe in the flood story (you know the one, with Noah and his family surviving a flood on a giant boat filled with lots and lots of animals). Not only did she not believe it, but she belittled me for voicing my belief in the reality of the story. In my short life, I had never been in a situation in which my Christian beliefs were questioned or criticized. I returned to my dorm, prepared to pack up and transfer to a Christian college the next day.

After the Resident Assistant talked me off that ledge, though, I realized it was time to live the faith I’d long claimed. For this World History class, the syllabus included a research paper on an ancient myth. Guess which one I chose. Yep, the ancient flood myth held by almost every ancient society in the world. I poured everything into that research paper and, by the end of the quarter, I turned in what I thought was a masterpiece sure to convert the professor into a believer (or at least prove I was right and she was wrong).

I got an A on the paper. At the same time, the professor held fast to her belief that, while a flood “may have occurred in ancient times, it was virtually impossible that the lone family to survive did so on an animal-filled ark.”  At that point, I learned the meaning of the word “faith.”  You see, it didn’t really matter if the Noah’s Ark story was literal or figurative and it didn’t matter if I had somehow been able to write the most spectacular paper ever read by that professor. The instructor was not going to believe in God or any biblical stories without faith, but I was determined she also was not going to shake MY faith either.

The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  This is the purpose of Christian education . . . to give students the assurance that even when they leave our humble school halls and face individuals who are more educated, confident, worldly, respected, and self-assured than they are, they can stand firm in their faith in God and in His word. Our goal is to give them the firm foundation on which to stand when the world wants to see them fall. Our mission is that our students will be “guided by the presence of Jesus in attitude and action.”  This mission extends beyond our time with them and into their college, career, or family lives (and beyond). Thankfully, applying to our school does not require an in-depth research paper on ancient flood myths—just a willingness to partner with us in building a strong foundation of faith for your child. Give us a call and schedule your tour today! We can’t wait to hear from you!