Dear ACA family,
Those of us who are employed at Ankeny Christian Academy are humbled by the many parents who choose to entrust us with something as important as the spiritual and academic education of their children. We have had a great start and I have some important things to report.
Our school verse for the year will be Ephesians 4:14: “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” The context is speaking of the gifts given to the church for the purpose of maturing the body. Here at ACA that is Job one; taking the young members of Christ’s body and using our gifts to make them mature believers. In several public situations I have already noted that my goal at ACA will be to do all that I can do to ensure that our students remain believers for their entire lives. This verse has been chosen to match that goal.
The high school retreat was an enormous success as students grew together socially and spiritually. Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Willoughby were the speakers. Mr. Schroeder spoke on David and Goliath, challenging our students to seek God’s help in all of life’s challenges. He taught them that eyes of faith don’t see challenges as real problems because God is in control. Mr. Willoughby used the parable of the Laborers in the vineyard to warn us against the complacency that sometimes affects Christian teens. He encouraged the students to push and grow, accomplishing more for the Lord. The worship and sharing times were led by our students and led the group closer to the Lord. I am particularly happy to report that one of our students accepted Christ during the retreat. Our teachers have done a great job preparing hearts for the retreat. In addition, I would credit our students in encouraging this young person to come to Christ.
The middle school retreat was also a success as the students learned from Becky Waugaman of the Vineyard Church about the Amazing Race we Christians are on. The students took part in an “Amazing Race” adventure here in the school building. The middle school retreat was also a time of team building and spiritual growth.
For years I have said that all schools need to be K-12 schools. The advantage is that the younger ones can be led by the older ones. The older students can look back on their earlier years and see how much they have grown. The sense of family that this brings cannot be replicated in age-segregated schools. I would like to see our younger students see events like the retreats so that they can look forward to being a part of our secondary level.
Another unifying event will begin next week as we kick off our Project Serve fundraiser. In addition to bringing in funds for our school, our students learn the value of service work. The unity of effort across all levels brings us together as we demonstrate what our Lord would have us do to help feed those in need. I am looking forward to learning how this powerful event will change lives. I hope that all students will participate to help ACA and the world in which we live.
Sorry for the length of this communication but it’s an exciting time at Ankeny Christian Academy.
In Christ,
Dr. Robinson