February 2018 We encourage you to forward this update to faculty, staff, board members, or other interested parties. The King’s University Events From the Director—Philip Hills How Rights Are the Best Way to Destroy Rights School News Updates from our Schools Events Youth Call 2 Prayer Administrator/Board Conference District Meetings Global Outreach Professional Development School Global Outreach News Student Activities School Mission Trips Teacher Conventions 2017–18 Classrooms for Africa Project

College Corner We Want to Serve You Events ACSI Canada Bookroom Open House Keep Us Informed Preview Days or Personal Visits Contact Us Peace River Bible Institute Events Rosebud School of the Arts Summit Pacific College

From the Director—Philip Hills

How Rights Are the Best Way to Destroy Rights Human rights exist because people believe in absolutes. In other words, there are some things that are right for everyone regardless of who they are and when they live. Though the governments are the ones who enshrine and enforce these rights, they do not create them. Governments recognize their existence and then shape laws intended on protecting and promoting them. I know that some of you are thinking that many people who support and protect human rights would call themselves relativists and atheists. But their efforts to advance just treatment of others exists in contradiction to their stated philosophy. Relativists must always live in tension with the universe and humanity. This is because the universe is impossible to understand without referring to order and design. Even the evolutionary worldview appeals to a sense of ascending complexity overseen by some type of ‘providential’ energy. The story begins with disorderly slime and ascends to complex humanity. [Return to top of page] The nature of humanity also contradicts the relativist. Inborn in every person is an innate sense of justice. Every child is outraged when treated unjustly. If there is no ultimate meaning and purpose to life, then the very quest for rights is a delusional and pointless pursuit. Some relativists will admit this, but most declared relativists cannot. They contradict their stated view of the nature of truth by their passionate cries against the violation of women’s rights or the oppression of specific identity groups. Which brings me to the strange real-world result of those who pursue the expansion of rights while being philosophically committed to relativism—real rights are destroyed. How can this be? Let me demonstrate with current events. The federal government is now asking any organization that applies for a summer student grant to indicate that they support reproductive rights of women (abortion being part of this). Organizations such as the Mustard Seed in Alberta and all Christian Camps are suddenly faced with signing away their right to hold a Pro-Life theology to receive government funds to hire students in the summer. Abortion is justified on the notion that a fetus, though human, is not a person and is not only outside of legal protection, but under the authority of the mother alone. She has the power of life or death over her fetus. The right to an abortion is characterized as a hard-won woman’s right (even though in Canada it is not a right and is only permitted because no law exists to define and control it). And the present federal government is insisting that to protect this right it will now actively discourage religious organizations from publicly opposing it (through restricting their access to government funds). [Return to top of page] All genuine human rights compliment each other because they all rest on the idea that all are created equal by God. Rights that are promoted by those who believe that we are self-defining beings ultimately erode genuine rights. The great irony is that the rights advocates are actually advancing the end of their freedom, not the expansion of it, because they are destroying the traditional rights that their freedom depends on. If we believe that we are meaningless beings, while fighting for greater freedom and justice, our efforts will actually destroy the very society we long to preserve and improve. The reason for this is simple. Genuine rights are not the product of our imagination—they are eternal and Genuine rights are not the product of our imagination unchangeable. They are discovered, not invented. They —they are eternal and unchangeable. are God-defined, not man-conceived. I guarantee that the current campaigns for an expansion of human rights will result in dramatic loss of rights for everyone. People of faith are faced with that already, but so will progressive rights advocates, because they are advancing all of us closer to the day when the government will realize that they are no longer accountable to any group. Governments without a sense of accountability to God and to the people of their nations always do terrible things (because they come to believe they are the ultimate standard of justice and truth). So please do not misdiagnose the efforts we are making to maintain the rights of Canadians to believe in God, run schools that reflect that belief, and hold government to account. We are not simply working to keep our schools open—we are hoping to keep Canada free for everyone. Transcendent, God-focused rights bring dignity and purpose to all people. Rights that arise from an atheistic orientation, ultimately dismantle free societies, and leave human authorities with absolute, destructive powers. The last century saw this in places like the USSR and China (as well as Europe under the Fascists). Let’s pray, lobby, and work to prevent our country from becoming a human rights violator in this century. If we are not willing to fight for our unalienable rights under God, we will experience diminishing rights under man. [Return to top of page] Events Find information and register for events on our website. The ACSI Events Calendar for 2017/2018 is posted on our Home page.

Administrator/Board Conference This year’s MB Administrator/Board Conference will be February 15, at Linden Christian School in Winnipeg, MB. Check here for online registration and updated information.

District Meetings The MB meeting will be held February 15, 2018, at Linden Christian School, Winnipeg. The BC meeting will be held March 2, 2018, at Cornerstone Christian School, Abbotsford. Agendas will be sent to member schools approximately one month before the scheduled meeting. Updated information is available on our website.

Professional Development In keeping with our mission to enable Christian educators to effectively prepare students for life, ACSI offers professional development specifically designed to benefit teachers and administrators within our member schools. It is also a good opportunity to meet with colleagues and continue to build a support network for your school. The Island PD Day will be on February 9 at Campbell River Christian School in Campbell River, BC. Go to our website for online registration and more information. The PD North Day will be on February 23 at Westside Academy in Prince George, BC. Go to our website for online registration and more information. Registration deadline is February 9. [Return to top of page]

Student Activities The foundation of a good life is both an understanding of God’s Word and a commitment to live in a way that reflects His character. The most important thing we can do is to equip our students, then give them a life-applicable understanding of the Word. Our annual Spring Musicale for Jr. and Sr. High choir and bands will be held May 3–4 at Prairie College in , AB. For more information visit our website. Drama Xchange will be held May 15–16 at Rosebud School of the Arts in Rosebud, AB. This event for junior and senior high drama students presents an opportunity for your school’s drama department to showcase the work of your students for their peers as well as to interact with professionals in the dramatic arts community, and to discover how to become redemptive influences in this essential industry. For more information visit our website.

Teacher Conventions Our Teacher Conventions are focused on ways to continually improve as Christian schools. Brochures for all conventions will be sent to your schools. Check our website for more information or to register online. ACSI members go to my.acsi.org to join the Teacher Convention group on ConNEXUS for discussion and information. MB: February 16, Linden Christian School, Winnipeg | MB Teacher Convention

College Corner If any of our member colleges have an upcoming open house or other event that would be of interest to our students, please let our office know so that we can include the information in upcoming issues of the Communicator. [Return to top of page]

Prairie College Events Prairie College Youth Conference—“Deeper”: *NEW DATES for 2018 are February 9–11. Prairie Preview Days—are FREE one-day events that include information sessions, campus tours, a demo Bible class, a chance to meet with admissions staff, faculty, and coaching staff and enjoy a meal in the Dining Hall. Preview Days for 2018 are: March 9 and April 14. Prairie College Personalized Visits—we will personalize your very own FREE campus visit and create a customized experience that will meet your needs. Our Admissions Office is open Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM all year round to serve you. For more information or to arrange a visit email us or call 1.800.661.2425.

Ambrose University Open House You are invited to join us for our Winter Open House, Thursday, February 15 from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. Visit the Ambrose campus to experience our community and see for yourself why Ambrose University is a great choice for you. Meet with professors and learn more about our programs. Apply for free and enter to win a $2000 bursary. Attend a class and chapel. Tour the campus and residence. Learn more about residence and commuter life, career services, accessibility services, first- year experience, and athletics. Check out our Open House video on Youtube.

Vanguard College Preview Days or Personal Visits Are you curious to know what it is like to be a student at Vanguard? Join us at one of our open house events, designed so that you can not only check out classes, but meet other students, talk with professors, hear the heart behind each program, attend chapel and immerse yourself in Vanguard life. A Preview Day for the upcoming school year is scheduled to take place March 2. It is free to attend, and we offer travel assistance and a $300 bursary just for attending! If you can't make it to one of the Preview Days Open House events, contact us to book a personalized tour; we would be happy to arrange a visit. Please contact Enrolment Services at 1.866.222.0808 or check out our website. [Return to top of page]

Peace River Bible Institute Events eView - Come get a SNEAK PEEK into college life at PRBI! Experience Friday Night LIVE, Coffee House, Gym Activities, Dessert Social, the Classroom and much more! An absolutely FREE youth event on March 8–10 for Grade 10+. We offer a $500 eView bursary to ALL that attend! Contact us for more information. REACH Travel Program—Want to REACH out and live your faith in different cultures? Expand your understanding of the impact Jesus is having around the world? The REACH certificate is designed to lead you into a deeper faith through study as well as practical hands-on experience. Come join our 2018 REACH team as they plan to go to the Philippians. The REACH Certificate is designed to lead you into a deeper faith through study as well as practical hands-on experience. Visit our website or call 1.780.568.3962 for more information. PRBI Campus Visits - Plan a campus visit that compliments your schedule and get a full experience of our campus life! To arrange a campus visit, please email us or call Anne Laursen at 780.933.4144.

Rosebud School of the Arts Rosebud School of the Arts is accepting applications for September 2018. The application form is on our website. You can email us to book your scout week! Rosebud School of the Arts presents Shakespeare’s classic, A Comedy of Errors, April 2018. Contact Rosebud Theatre box office for tickets and information at 1.800.267.7553. Rosebud Theatre presents Driving Miss Daisy, April 6–May 19; Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, June 1– September 1; and The Amish Project, July 6–September 1. Tickets are available online or call us at 1.800.267.7553. Be sure to like Rosebud Theatre and Rosebud School of the Arts on Facebook to keep in touch.

Summit Pacific College Campus Tours—Want to check out our campus? We’d love to show you around and tell you more about our school! Book a tour on our website or contact our Recruitment Department at 604.851.7222. Guest Speakers—Looking for a guest speaker for your next event? SPC has quality speakers to share at your chapel service, assembly, or other special events. Contact Nathan Boldt by email or call him at 604.851.7222 for more information. [Return to top of page] The King’s University Events Personal Visits—We can arrange for you to meet one-on-one with an Admissions Counsellor. Personal visits can be scheduled Monday–Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Please contact Admissions at 780.465.8334 or by email to book an appointment.

School News We would like to encourage you to email newsworthy information about your school to be included in this section of the monthly Communicator.

Updates from our Schools A southern Alberta school prayer team was praying for AB MLA’s. They sent out cards of encouragement to each MLA and said they were praying for them. They received some positive responses back to their initiative. One MLA wrote saying he had been suffering from some heart complications and now is completely healed. You can imagine the excitement of these young prayer warriors. One MLA even showed up at the prayer group leader’s church one Sunday just to attend the service. God is at work!

Alberta Youth Call 2 Prayer The Association of Christian Schools International and Prairie Centre for Christian Education is partnering with the Alberta Youth Call 2 Prayer to host a province wide day of prayer. The invitation is being extended to all our K-12 Schools, Colleges and Universities to gather on their campuses on Thursday, February 22 for a concentrated time of prayer for our Provincial Government leaders. You will be partnering in prayer with a student prayer team from Fort Saskatchewan Christian School and students from Shawahnekizhek Christian Academy on the Saddle Lake Reserve who will be on site at the Legislature that day. Let us commit to gathering together whether it be in our individual classrooms or in a school assembly, to seek God on behalf of the government leaders of Alberta. We want to let our Alberta Government know that we are praying for them and more specifically, the names of the schools and the number of students praying for them on February 22. Please email your response by completing the following statements to Elaine Baillie: [school name] will be participating in the Alberta Youth Call 2 Prayer on their campus Thursday, February 22. [number of staff and students] will be praying. [Return to top of page]

Global Outreach

School Global Outreach News One of the reasons our schools are so strong is because of their passionate concern for exalting Jesus among the nations. We will be highlighting your stories in the Communicator to encourage each other with how our schools are doing this. Please forward stories to our office from recent mission trips and/or mission projects if you would like to share what your school is doing in support of reaching the world for Christ.

School Mission Trips Many of our schools will be sending student groups on mission trips this year. Please send us your school name and the dates and destination of your trip so we can pray for you as you travel and spread God’s love around the world. • Morweena Christian School students are on their annual trip to Jamaica January 30–February 8. • Brant Christian School high school students will be leaving for Tijuana, Mexico on January 31 for 8 days. • Prairie Christian Academy will be taking a group of 10 Grade 12 students to Bogota, Colombia February 9–20. • Airdrie Koinonia Christian School students will be going on their biannual mission trip to Mexico March 28–April 7. [Return to top of page]

2017–18 Classrooms for Africa Project Each year ACSI Western Canada selects a project to support. For the 2017–18 school year our project will be to continue raising funds for the Dust to Desk Project. Last year ACSI teachers and schools contributed $14,500 which provided desks for nearly 800 students. This year the goal is to raise $20,000 which will provide seating for over 1,000 students. The cost per student works out to approximately $20. The donations collected at some of this year’s ACSI Teacher Conventions will go toward this goal. More information on this will be available at the conventions. To donate online go to www.classroomsforafrica.org/take-action. A promotional PowerPoint and a video are available for schools and teachers to use for their students and school communities. Please email us or check out our website for more information.

We Want to Serve You

ACSI Canada Bookroom Check out the Bookroom website at acsicanadabooks.com for the latest prices and ordering information. Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you.

Keep Us Informed Please notify us ASAP of administrative changes (principals, heads of school, email addresses, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers) in your school. This is very important in helping us keep in contact with you. Your Feedback is Important to Us! We welcome your feedback concerning this newsletter or any of the information in this newsletter. Please contact us with questions, comments, or suggestions by sending an email to [email protected].  [Return to top of page]

Contact Us

ACSIWC Office ACSIBC Office 44 Willow Brook Drive NW, Airdrie, AB T4B 2J5 PO Box #211 Stn Matsqui, Abbotsford, BC V4X 3R2 Phone: 403.948.2332 Fax: 403.948.2395 Phone: 604.851.6983 Fax: 604.357.5255 [email protected] acsiwc.org acsiglobal.org [email protected] Executive Director—Phil Hills [email protected] Assistant Executive Director—Cheryl Miller [email protected] Consultants: MB Consultant—Tim Reimer [email protected] BC Consultant—Dave Neufeld [email protected] ACSI Canada Bookroom PO Box #211 Stn Matsqui, Abbotsford, BC V4X 3R2 Phone: 604.851.6983 Fax: 604.357.5255 [email protected] acsicanadabooks.com

Unsubscribe—We hope that this newsletter is a valuable source of information for you and your school; however, if you would like to be removed from the email list, please send a request to [email protected]. [Return to top of page]