A few weeks back, I wrote about a conversation I had with a friend of mine who teaches at a local public school. In that post, I mentioned that the conversation confirmed yet again to me Unity Christian School's role in our community. I also promised another story about a different conversation I had that week that further confirmed to me what UCS is all about.
Like that first conversation, the second one took place with someone involved in a local public school. This time, I was speaking with a high school student. The young man is a former student at UCS, and he told me about what he feels is his role at his current school. He said he knows that he is a missionary to his classmates, there not only to study and make friends, but to tell those classmates about the unfailing love of Jesus Christ. He told me about how he has gone about doing that, and about another student a few years older than him who helps serve as his mentor. As this former UCS student goes about growing in his relationship with Christ, he is going out of his way to make sure those in his current school know that they are loved and that God has an incredible plan for their lives.
But, he told me something else. He said, "I love UCS. I love Mr. Getchell and Mr. Davis." He told me how he was prepared to do what he is doing while attending Unity Christian School. He told me how he has learned from his parents, who have set an incredible example for him, and his pastors and others at church. He told me how his UCS teachers and coaches helped him mature, and without their influence, he wouldn't be able to make the difference that he's making (and in my opinion, going to make quite a bit of in the future).
This is a young man who God can use to change our community, and who knows what else? And, according to that young man, the teachers and staff at UCS, along with his parents and church leaders, have helped him become that young man that will make a difference.
Now, take a look at UCS' mission statement:
"We will partner with Christian parents committed to Christ-centered, Biblically-based education to promote excellence in academics, to equip students with Christ-honoring leadership skills, and to develop their God-given potential which empowers them to impact the world for Jesus Christ."
It's a lot more than just a statement, isn't it? It's reality. It's happening...every day. UCS students are going into the community and impacting their own world for Jesus Christ by sharing Him with their friends, teammates and others they come in contact with on an everyday basis. God is using UCS to bring our students closer to Him, and they are taking what they learn at UCS and giving the greatest gift anyone could receive: Jesus Christ.
I invite you to take a look at UCS. When you do, I bet you'll say the same thing I say all the time: "Look what God did at UCS today!"
What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment by clicking the "comments" link below each post.
Mickey Seward
Associate Director of Development
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
SPEAK video about Unity Christian: Watch!
Unity Christian has developed a campaign called "SPEAK" in order to capture the amazing growth that students experience while at Unity. The acronym "SPEAK" highlights the five major areas of student development: Spiritual, Physical, Emootional, Academic, and Kingdom. The first four areas of personal growth give way to the fifth wherein the child gains a greater sense of his purpose and responsibility as a child of God's worldwide kingdom.
We hope you enjoy the video! If you have any further questions about Unity Christian School, please visit our website at http://www.unitychristianschool.org/ or call us at 706-292-0700.
Auction Enthusiasm
This week our Auction Committee, made up primarily of parent volunteers and headed by Special Events Coordinator Jennifer Eddins, met for the first time to discuss plans for the 2008 auction to be held March 1st. Discussion was enthusiastic and the time incredibly productive! I was overwhelmed by how blessed Unity Christian is to have such supportive and involved parents. Without a doubt, we would not be able to coordinate such quality events for our student body as well as the community if it were not for the unwavering dedication of our parents! God used the fellowship and cooperation that I witnessed in that meeting to impress on me even more powerfully the true meaning of our mission to "partner with Christian parents committed to Christ-centered, biblically-based education".
Kingdom education employs the illustration of a 3 legged stool to explain the interdependence of the home, church, and school in the education of His children. This is an effective metaphor because without one, the other two cannot function properly. At Unity Christian, parents are urged to actively take part in the educational experience of their children and what an invaluable strength they bring to the atmosphere and success of the school! I am so anxious to see what plans God has for the auction this year because of the contagious optimism and helpfulness of the parents I saw at our meeting. Parents jump in to help with class projects, schoolwide events, general facility needs, and special programming. This is what sets us apart: we exist not to replace but to reinforce the parent and his biblical teachings and values.
Page Thomas
Communications Coordinator
Kingdom education employs the illustration of a 3 legged stool to explain the interdependence of the home, church, and school in the education of His children. This is an effective metaphor because without one, the other two cannot function properly. At Unity Christian, parents are urged to actively take part in the educational experience of their children and what an invaluable strength they bring to the atmosphere and success of the school! I am so anxious to see what plans God has for the auction this year because of the contagious optimism and helpfulness of the parents I saw at our meeting. Parents jump in to help with class projects, schoolwide events, general facility needs, and special programming. This is what sets us apart: we exist not to replace but to reinforce the parent and his biblical teachings and values.
Page Thomas
Communications Coordinator
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Confirmation in a Conversation (Part 1)
I've been involved in a couple interesting conversations in the past few days. Each one confirmed to me part of Unity Christian School's role in our community.
The first conversation was started by a friend of mine who teaches at a public elementary school and who attends the same church that my wife and I attend. That teacher told a few of us that she was so encouraged because she saw a few of her students at our church's fall festival on Oct. 31. The next day, her students began to ask her questions about the church and if she is a member there. That fall festival, which reached plenty of neighborhood kids and their parents, opened a door for this teacher to answer questions from children in her class.
As excited as I was about her opportunity to talk about her church, I felt bad that she doesn't get to go out of her way to share the message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ with students who may not know or care about God.
I love the fact that teachers, faculty and staff at UCS go out of their way to make sure students know who Jesus Christ is, and that He loves them and has an incredible plan for their lives. I also love the fact that UCS' students don't keep that hope to themselves. You see, unlike Las Vegas, what happens here doesn't stay here. Growing up, I knew a Christian. That's right...one. But that friend made sure I knew that God loves me. In fact, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, what you've done or what's been done to you, God loves you.
Like that friend from my school days, our students are sharing their faith with their friends from outside UCS. Who knows, maybe my teacher-friend's students are benefitting from what God is doing at UCS.
I pray that they are.
Check back soon, and I'll tell you about that other conversation...
Mickey Seward
Associate Director of Development
The first conversation was started by a friend of mine who teaches at a public elementary school and who attends the same church that my wife and I attend. That teacher told a few of us that she was so encouraged because she saw a few of her students at our church's fall festival on Oct. 31. The next day, her students began to ask her questions about the church and if she is a member there. That fall festival, which reached plenty of neighborhood kids and their parents, opened a door for this teacher to answer questions from children in her class.
As excited as I was about her opportunity to talk about her church, I felt bad that she doesn't get to go out of her way to share the message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ with students who may not know or care about God.
I love the fact that teachers, faculty and staff at UCS go out of their way to make sure students know who Jesus Christ is, and that He loves them and has an incredible plan for their lives. I also love the fact that UCS' students don't keep that hope to themselves. You see, unlike Las Vegas, what happens here doesn't stay here. Growing up, I knew a Christian. That's right...one. But that friend made sure I knew that God loves me. In fact, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, what you've done or what's been done to you, God loves you.
Like that friend from my school days, our students are sharing their faith with their friends from outside UCS. Who knows, maybe my teacher-friend's students are benefitting from what God is doing at UCS.
I pray that they are.
Check back soon, and I'll tell you about that other conversation...
Mickey Seward
Associate Director of Development
Thanks, Pastors
On Wednesday, Unity Christian School held one of its two Pastors Appreciation Days this month. We'll have a second one next Wednesday, and after yesterday's experience, I can't wait to experience it again.
Several of the area pastors and children's ministers made their way to the UCS campus, where they heard from headmaster Glenn Getchell about the school's mission and the students' accomplishments. Mr. Getchell also told the pastors how much they and their churches mean to UCS.
Rob Davis, UCS' Upper Campus Principal, also spoke and related a story to our pastors about a young military officer, in his early 20s at the time, who was protected by God during the French and Indian War. During one battle, that young leader had not one, but two, horses shot out from underneath him; and four bullets went through his clothes with little damage to his body. Still, he remained alive, and he said the only reason he lived and continued on his path was because of God's providence. The young military officer was George Washington.
Mr. Davis wanted the pastors to realize that we know that, as pastors and leaders, they face many obstacles everyday, but we see that they continue to follow God's path for them, and we appreciate that more than they might know.
After Mr. Davis spoke, the pastors, Mr. Getchell, Mr. Davis and I stood in a circle and prayed together. It's an awesome thing to see pastors from all over the area, from different walks of life, from different denominations and with different ways of worshiping all standing together to pray in UNITY to Jesus Christ.
After that we moved into the chapel room for chapel with 2nd-5th grade students. What an awesome time that was. With the students and Mrs. Cynthia Ivery leading worship and several 5th graders performing a skit that ultimately proved Jesus' love and willingness to die for our sins so we could have the free gift of life, it was an unbelievable time.
Finally, the students found their pastor and children's minister and prayed for them. How awesome is it that our students, who are prayed for constantly, would be able to pray for our pastors? Wow.
The funny thing about Pastors Appreciation day is that even though we wanted the pastors to know how much we love them, they were the ones who brought something special to the day. You should have seen the excitement on our students' faces when they saw their pastor came to UCS to specifically spend time with them. What a blessing to the pastors and the students who were able to share this day with one another.
Our next Pastors Appreciation day is Wednesday, Nov. 14. Pastors will be treated to an awesome time of worship with our middle and high school students. Pastors and youth pastors will not want to miss this day. It will definitely bless our pastors and our students. If you are a pastor or youth pastor and want to take part in this event, please contact Jennifer Eddins at 706-292-0700 or jeddins@unitychristianschool.org.
Mickey Seward
Associate Director of Development
Several of the area pastors and children's ministers made their way to the UCS campus, where they heard from headmaster Glenn Getchell about the school's mission and the students' accomplishments. Mr. Getchell also told the pastors how much they and their churches mean to UCS.
Rob Davis, UCS' Upper Campus Principal, also spoke and related a story to our pastors about a young military officer, in his early 20s at the time, who was protected by God during the French and Indian War. During one battle, that young leader had not one, but two, horses shot out from underneath him; and four bullets went through his clothes with little damage to his body. Still, he remained alive, and he said the only reason he lived and continued on his path was because of God's providence. The young military officer was George Washington.
Mr. Davis wanted the pastors to realize that we know that, as pastors and leaders, they face many obstacles everyday, but we see that they continue to follow God's path for them, and we appreciate that more than they might know.
After Mr. Davis spoke, the pastors, Mr. Getchell, Mr. Davis and I stood in a circle and prayed together. It's an awesome thing to see pastors from all over the area, from different walks of life, from different denominations and with different ways of worshiping all standing together to pray in UNITY to Jesus Christ.
After that we moved into the chapel room for chapel with 2nd-5th grade students. What an awesome time that was. With the students and Mrs. Cynthia Ivery leading worship and several 5th graders performing a skit that ultimately proved Jesus' love and willingness to die for our sins so we could have the free gift of life, it was an unbelievable time.
Finally, the students found their pastor and children's minister and prayed for them. How awesome is it that our students, who are prayed for constantly, would be able to pray for our pastors? Wow.
The funny thing about Pastors Appreciation day is that even though we wanted the pastors to know how much we love them, they were the ones who brought something special to the day. You should have seen the excitement on our students' faces when they saw their pastor came to UCS to specifically spend time with them. What a blessing to the pastors and the students who were able to share this day with one another.
Our next Pastors Appreciation day is Wednesday, Nov. 14. Pastors will be treated to an awesome time of worship with our middle and high school students. Pastors and youth pastors will not want to miss this day. It will definitely bless our pastors and our students. If you are a pastor or youth pastor and want to take part in this event, please contact Jennifer Eddins at 706-292-0700 or jeddins@unitychristianschool.org.
Mickey Seward
Associate Director of Development
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Parents: Kid-Free Outing Alert!
Need a couple hours with your spouse to rekindle the romance, plan your next vacation, or just take a nap? Well, here's your chance! Unity Christian School is now offering a new Parents' Night Out program that will be offered on Friday nights throughout the winter. The child-care service runs from 6 pm in the evening until midnight at Unity's Upper Campus at 2960 New Calhoun Highway. Childrem age 2 (potty trained) through 13 are invited to come learn, play, and create cool crafts and artwork with our well-trained staff members.
Parents' Night Out is not your average babysitting service either! Kids will be able to make different crafts, play indoor and outdoor games, make art in various mediums, watch movies, and have free play in our clean and safe school facilities. Children will also have the opportunity to join in for praise and worship as well as story and chapel time. For the younger tykes, sleeping matts will be provided in separate rooms when it's time to quiet down.
Our dates so far are November 16th, December 7th and 21st, and January 25th. The cost for your first child is $30 for the entire night with each additional sibling at a cost of $15 apiece. And don't worry about supper....your child can have dinner here for only $3 extra.
Proceeds from the Parents' Night Out program go toward our student missions fund. So not only do you get some much needed time off, but your resources are also going toward growing the Kingdom for Christ! And your kids are sure to have a great time! What a deal!
Don't let this stress-freeing opportunity pass you by! For more information or to reserve your spot today contact Marjorie Lambert at 706-292-0778 ext. 301. You must reserve your place by noon of the previous Friday. Visit our website at http://www.unitychristianschool.org/ to print the reservation form now. Look under the "News" header for the form.
Parents' Night Out is not your average babysitting service either! Kids will be able to make different crafts, play indoor and outdoor games, make art in various mediums, watch movies, and have free play in our clean and safe school facilities. Children will also have the opportunity to join in for praise and worship as well as story and chapel time. For the younger tykes, sleeping matts will be provided in separate rooms when it's time to quiet down.
Our dates so far are November 16th, December 7th and 21st, and January 25th. The cost for your first child is $30 for the entire night with each additional sibling at a cost of $15 apiece. And don't worry about supper....your child can have dinner here for only $3 extra.
Proceeds from the Parents' Night Out program go toward our student missions fund. So not only do you get some much needed time off, but your resources are also going toward growing the Kingdom for Christ! And your kids are sure to have a great time! What a deal!
Don't let this stress-freeing opportunity pass you by! For more information or to reserve your spot today contact Marjorie Lambert at 706-292-0778 ext. 301. You must reserve your place by noon of the previous Friday. Visit our website at http://www.unitychristianschool.org/ to print the reservation form now. Look under the "News" header for the form.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Racing for Jesus
As I begin writing this entry, my pen can barely keep up with my mind or perhaps more rightly, with my heart. Oh! God has shown His mighty hand at work and I am overflowing with thanksgiving for what He is doing in the children here at Unity and also in me! And how appropriate that God is giving me so many reasons to be thankful as we enter into this season of national thanksgiving as we remember the men and women that first founded our nation on faith and search our own hearts for the many blessings he has bestowed.
On Friday I attended the Great Pumpkin Race at Berry Elementary School to see some of our 2nd through 5th grade girls and boys participate in ½ and 1 mile races with other students their age. All of our runners ran hard and pushed themselves to do their best, several finishing in the top 5 or 10 of their race. Their valiant efforts and determination made me incredibly proud to be part of a school where student seek “to do all things through Christ who strengthens them” (Philippians 4:13). Yet it was what I witnessed before one of the races had even begun that spoke most profoundly and poignantly of the difference that Kingdom education is making in the lives of children at Unity.
As I walked about taking pictures of our runners and families, I passed by a group of our girls discussing preparation for their upcoming race. One of the moms had reminded them to stay loose and stretch as the race prior to theirs began. All nodded in agreement. Then one of them, obviously going through her pre-race routine in her mind, exclaimed, “We have to remember to pray!”
“Wow!” I thought to myself, “Now that is a Christ-centered, biblically–based education at work in the minds and hearts of young people.”
The young runner had taken that moment to be a Christ-like leader out of a pure desire to commit her efforts and the achievements of her team members to the Lord. Because the girl realized that her strength comes from God, the team prayer held a weighty significance to the team's preparation for the race. It was far more than a tradition or formality – it gave meaning to the endeavor itself and helped to physically, mentally, and spiritually prepare the athletes for their competition. This moment epitomized for me what I hope each student and athlete at Unity learns – to believe in God for all things and to honor Him with excellence – in the classroom, on the field, and in our daily interactions with one another.
Later, as I walked by the starting line for the girls’ race, I asked them if they were ready to do their best. Immediately and unabashedly one of the girls shouted, “Yes! This one’s for Jesus!” Again, God used the strong faith and devotion of a child to renew my commitment to and enthusiasm for my small part of God’s plan here at Unity Christian School. And the best part of it all is that these two highlights aren’t even the end of the story of what God did that day!
That’s a story for another day…
Page Thomas
Communications Coordinator
On Friday I attended the Great Pumpkin Race at Berry Elementary School to see some of our 2nd through 5th grade girls and boys participate in ½ and 1 mile races with other students their age. All of our runners ran hard and pushed themselves to do their best, several finishing in the top 5 or 10 of their race. Their valiant efforts and determination made me incredibly proud to be part of a school where student seek “to do all things through Christ who strengthens them” (Philippians 4:13). Yet it was what I witnessed before one of the races had even begun that spoke most profoundly and poignantly of the difference that Kingdom education is making in the lives of children at Unity.
As I walked about taking pictures of our runners and families, I passed by a group of our girls discussing preparation for their upcoming race. One of the moms had reminded them to stay loose and stretch as the race prior to theirs began. All nodded in agreement. Then one of them, obviously going through her pre-race routine in her mind, exclaimed, “We have to remember to pray!”
“Wow!” I thought to myself, “Now that is a Christ-centered, biblically–based education at work in the minds and hearts of young people.”
The young runner had taken that moment to be a Christ-like leader out of a pure desire to commit her efforts and the achievements of her team members to the Lord. Because the girl realized that her strength comes from God, the team prayer held a weighty significance to the team's preparation for the race. It was far more than a tradition or formality – it gave meaning to the endeavor itself and helped to physically, mentally, and spiritually prepare the athletes for their competition. This moment epitomized for me what I hope each student and athlete at Unity learns – to believe in God for all things and to honor Him with excellence – in the classroom, on the field, and in our daily interactions with one another.
Later, as I walked by the starting line for the girls’ race, I asked them if they were ready to do their best. Immediately and unabashedly one of the girls shouted, “Yes! This one’s for Jesus!” Again, God used the strong faith and devotion of a child to renew my commitment to and enthusiasm for my small part of God’s plan here at Unity Christian School. And the best part of it all is that these two highlights aren’t even the end of the story of what God did that day!
That’s a story for another day…
Page Thomas
Communications Coordinator
Friday, November 2, 2007
"Look What God Did at UCS Today!"
Welcome to Unity Christian School’s official blog. This blog is not meant to replace our official website, located at http://www.unitychristianschool.org/, but to enhance it and create another form of two-way communication between our administrators, teachers, students, parents and community members.
There is so much happening at Unity Christian School, and in this day and age, we wanted to use this forum to share those things that God is doing in the life of our school. We serve an awesome God, and He is doing so much in and through the people involved with UCS that we felt you needed to know how incredible He is.
So, what’s in store for the blog? Honestly, we don’t fully know. We have plans, that’s for sure. We envision several different administrators sharing stories of what is happening in their particular area of focus; teachers telling of incredible spiritual and academic growth of their students; students informing us how they are taking what they are learning at UCS and at church and in the home, the incredible gospel of Jesus Christ, beyond the walls of the school and their respective churches and into the community to minister to those in need of a message of hope; parents sharing examples of how they (to paraphrase Proverbs 22:6) are training up a child in the way he should go and watching as that child does not depart from that way. We’re pretty sure we could fill a blog for a long, long time with just that plan. Plans are good. But, as you can read in Jeremiah 29:11 God knows the plans he has for us, and I'll take His plan over mine any day of the week.
God’s plan. Wow. I’ve been working at Unity Christian School for just two short months, and I’m in awe of what I’ve seen here. I’ve been in a chapel and watched as several students asked Christ to be their savior and lord. In that same chapel, I saw a room full of people of all different walks of life rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ. I often walk past classrooms and overhear teachers telling students how a particular subject relates to God. I've watched high school students take on the responsibility of being a role model to younger students.
The day after Robert Rogers served as the keynote speaker at our benefit dinner, he spoke to our middle school and high school students. As Robert played the piano in worship, several students knelt at the altar, many weeping, and laid their burdens at the foot of the cross. Right there, with their friends watching, those students made a commitment to live a life of no regrets, a life where they will honor Jesus Christ no matter the circumstance.
I grinned as Mr. Davis, our upper campus principal, joined the students in the Boosterthon Fun Run and saw the smiles on his students’ faces because they love to be around such a positive person with so much energy. Not long ago, a student walked into Mr. Davis’ office and asked Mr. Davis and Mr. Getchell, UCS’ headmaster, to pray with her, because she knows they are men of God who are sincere in their faith.
People often ask me how I like my new job. Almost every time, I begin to laugh because I can’t help but to think of all the things I’ve watched God do. And almost every time I tell them that when I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get to work, because I can’t wait to see what God is going to do at UCS that day. And almost every night, I drive home from work and think, “Look what God did at UCS today!”
I read something interesting yesterday. Psalm 73:28 says, "But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do." (HCSB)
We can't wait to tell about all He does. This blog is just another way to do that.
It’s an honor to be a part of what God is doing at Unity Christian School.
I hope you enjoy the blog.
Mickey Seward,
Associate Director of Development
There is so much happening at Unity Christian School, and in this day and age, we wanted to use this forum to share those things that God is doing in the life of our school. We serve an awesome God, and He is doing so much in and through the people involved with UCS that we felt you needed to know how incredible He is.
So, what’s in store for the blog? Honestly, we don’t fully know. We have plans, that’s for sure. We envision several different administrators sharing stories of what is happening in their particular area of focus; teachers telling of incredible spiritual and academic growth of their students; students informing us how they are taking what they are learning at UCS and at church and in the home, the incredible gospel of Jesus Christ, beyond the walls of the school and their respective churches and into the community to minister to those in need of a message of hope; parents sharing examples of how they (to paraphrase Proverbs 22:6) are training up a child in the way he should go and watching as that child does not depart from that way. We’re pretty sure we could fill a blog for a long, long time with just that plan. Plans are good. But, as you can read in Jeremiah 29:11 God knows the plans he has for us, and I'll take His plan over mine any day of the week.
God’s plan. Wow. I’ve been working at Unity Christian School for just two short months, and I’m in awe of what I’ve seen here. I’ve been in a chapel and watched as several students asked Christ to be their savior and lord. In that same chapel, I saw a room full of people of all different walks of life rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ. I often walk past classrooms and overhear teachers telling students how a particular subject relates to God. I've watched high school students take on the responsibility of being a role model to younger students.
The day after Robert Rogers served as the keynote speaker at our benefit dinner, he spoke to our middle school and high school students. As Robert played the piano in worship, several students knelt at the altar, many weeping, and laid their burdens at the foot of the cross. Right there, with their friends watching, those students made a commitment to live a life of no regrets, a life where they will honor Jesus Christ no matter the circumstance.
I grinned as Mr. Davis, our upper campus principal, joined the students in the Boosterthon Fun Run and saw the smiles on his students’ faces because they love to be around such a positive person with so much energy. Not long ago, a student walked into Mr. Davis’ office and asked Mr. Davis and Mr. Getchell, UCS’ headmaster, to pray with her, because she knows they are men of God who are sincere in their faith.
People often ask me how I like my new job. Almost every time, I begin to laugh because I can’t help but to think of all the things I’ve watched God do. And almost every time I tell them that when I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get to work, because I can’t wait to see what God is going to do at UCS that day. And almost every night, I drive home from work and think, “Look what God did at UCS today!”
I read something interesting yesterday. Psalm 73:28 says, "But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do." (HCSB)
We can't wait to tell about all He does. This blog is just another way to do that.
It’s an honor to be a part of what God is doing at Unity Christian School.
I hope you enjoy the blog.
Mickey Seward,
Associate Director of Development
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