Celebrating 40 Years | P1 FALL ISSUE | 2014 of Faithfulness

celebrating Classroom | P4 Communication

celebrating world | P6 changers

MATTERS Communicating Kingdom Education

Leadership View: Celebrating 40 Years of Faithfulness BY MARK SCHULTZE My dad is a good story teller, and many The Academy started small – during the in his generation can rivet your attention first year grades 7-12 met in one room - and emotions with tales of years gone by. I and did not have its first three graduates believe the Bible encourages us to pass on until 1977. However, the theme of the our heritage through story telling because it 80’s, “The Excitement is Building,” rang is a great way to recount God’s faithfulness. true and momentum quickly became Let me try my hand at a little story telling established. Sports teams began winning about the faithfulness of God at Maranatha. championships, the high school added Anatomy, Physiology, and Spanish, and God started the Maranatha journey the school moved into new facilities on through the hearts and minds of the leaders Lackman (South Campus). God was at of the Full Faith Church of Love (now known work bringing leaders and teachers to love as CrossPoints Church). They opened the and serve Him by equipping young people doors in fall of 1974 at the Kansas City, to do the same. Names like Hoduski, Kansas, campus that was considered rural Wagner, Smith, Burch, and Beck appeared suburban. The vision of the church leaders on the staff lists joining the likes of Yeldell, then resonates with the points of emphasis Payne, and the first lunch lady, Janet Zarda. today, “to prepare godly leaders for the church, community and country.”

...Continued on page 3 Table of Contents 1 | L eadership View: Celebrating 40 Years of Faithfulness MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2 | F rom the Editor: MCA is a Christian college preparatory school The Power of Stewardship 1 serving grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. 3 | Bo ard Report 4 | Celebrating Classroom Communication: An Interview With Michael Yates Accreditations: | Parent Perspective: 5 Accredited PreK-12 by the Association of Recollections of MCA Christian Schools International. 6 | Celebrating WORLD CHANGERS: Accredited K-12 by AdvancED Accreditation MCA Tennis Team Serves Up the Love 6 and School Improvement. of Jesus Leadership Team: 7 | Corporate Partner Profile: Axcet HR Solutions Mark Schultze, Superintendent 8 | KEY UPCOMING EVENTS Dr. Ron Fritz, Secondary Principal David Keener, Dean of Students and 8 Athletic Director MISSION STATEMENT Virginia “Gingie” Watt, Elementary Principal The Mission of Maranatha Christian Academy is to train and equip students Matt Schoenfeld, Director of Development for life and for service to Jesus Christ through a Biblical world view, character and Communications development, and academic excellence. Kevin Bergerhofer, Facilities Director Marilyn Daugherty, Preschool Administrator From the Editor: school board: Blake Welch, Chairman Stewardship is powerful. The changers for Christ. Your giving effects of practicing (or not has direct impact on the lives of our Sean Slattery practicing) biblical stewardship are students and the building of God’s Jim Marmon vast and multilayered. Kingdom. It is a joy to see how God Brian Howell One of the best definitions of blesses our families, businesses, stewardship I’ve ever heard is: and our school through the power Bobbie O’Keith of stewardship. It’s a cycle of “Stewardship is everything you do Rick St. Jean after you say ‘Yes’ to Jesus.” As God- joyous giving. chosen managers of our resources, Please feel free to call me any Maranatha Christian Academy admits the Gospel, our relationships, our time at 913-710-5012 if you have students of any race, color, nationality, or talents, and the earth. Stewardship a giving story you’d like to share. ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, is so much deeper than giving or God bless! programs, and activities generally accorded money management. Stewardship is discipleship lived out in the real or made available to students at the school. world. Matt Schoenfeld, It does not discriminate on the basis of Editor sex, race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin As we begin the 40th school year at in administration of educational policies, MCA, I want to express my sincere admissions policies, scholarship programs, appreciation for the tremendous generosity you show to the school. athletic, or other school-administered Above and beyond tuition, this year programs. To do so would be in violation more than $500,000 will be given to of Christian principles as set forth in God’s the MCA ministry of raising up world Word, the Holy Bible. PAGE | 2 Leadership View

Board Report 40 years! God is good. He has blessed Maranatha for 40 years, and I’m confident he will continue to bless us for 40 more. No doubt you recognize the significance of the number 40 in the Bible. It’s interesting that the number 40 often represents a period of testing and trial. It also represents a time of completion followed by a new paradigm or a change. The school board is committed to following God’s call for MCA, wherever that takes us. I’ve included below several significant 40-year (or day) events from the Bible. I hope your faith is strengthened as you see how BY MARK SCHULTZE God is sovereign and providential in the lives of His people, MCA Superintendent even here at our great academy! Celebrating 40 years of faithfulness • Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). (Leadership View continued from p.1) • Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deut. 34:7). God continued to build an Academy that leaned on Him through • David reigned over Israel for 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11). the good times and bad. Dr. Larry Daugherty was brought on board as the new superintendent in the 90’s along with faculty names of • Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13). Gordon, Peck, Reinke, Attwood, and Rooks to serve the school. A • Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3). KinderPrep was established in 1996 to help the Academy connect This year the school board welcomes two new members, Bobbie O’Keith and Brian Howell. Bobbie is married to Bob, with and serve more parents. Tennis champion, Kevin Braun, won who is a student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Maranatha’s first state title, and the school’s enrollment reached They have two children, Faith (5th grade) and Joshua (4th as high as 582. grade). Bobbie is currently an independent consultant who helps businesses identify areas of improvement and During the 90’s, Maranatha became independent from the growth. She has a passion for our kids and our school and church and went through all the turbulence caused by that kind of has been an active volunteer in many areas. The O’Keith’s change. The tough times continued through the early years of the are members of Lenexa Baptist Church. new millennium. It was a time of faith testing for all involved and Brian is married to Emily, and they have three girls: Lydia finances got so tight the school was within a day or two of closing. (2nd grade), Hannah (1st grade), and Rebekah (age 3). Brian and his wife are both CPAs, and Brian operates his However, God provided in miraculous ways, and, as He does own business consulting firm, BAR Management Solutions. today, He showed Himself strong. In the last decade, Kansans Brian and Emily are also members of Lenexa Baptist became more aware of the small school in Shawnee as prowess Church. in academics (2 time Scholar Bowl Champions) and athletics Debbie Siemers resigned her board position after (State Championships in soccer, track, and cross country) raised completing two years of service. She is homeschooling Daniel (9th grade) this year. The board wishes to convey awareness. our heartfelt thanks to Debbie for her service, and we pray God still has His hand on Maranatha Christian Academy. Did for a great year with Daniel. you notice that theme throughout this story? Everything that was Last, I wanted to provide a brief update on our enrollment. and is being accomplished here is for His glory. This is His story. We begin the 2014-15 school year with 455 students (K- 12) and approximately 95 preschoolers. This represents He chose to work through people to have the school thrive for 40 5% growth over last year and two consecutive years of years, graduating over 1,100 students. He drew dedicated faculty, enrollment growth. Praise God! staff, and leaders from around the world at just the right time to As I’ve mentioned before, the board covets your prayers for meet the needs of the students and families. His truly awesome wisdom and discernment. Please continue to pray for us, power and wisdom can be clearly seen in the life of Maranatha. our faculty, and our school that God’s will be done at MCA. That same power is still available today, and we rejoice this year Blessing to you and your family, as we celebrate 40 years of His faithfulness. Blake Welch, Chairman of the Board

PAGE | 3 Classroom Communication

Michael Yates has been a secondary Bible teacher at Maranatha Christian Academy since 2007. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies from Evangel University and has completed master’s course work in Secondary Education from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He lives in Overland Park with his wife and three young children. Q&A with Michael Yates – Celebrating Classroom Communication BY MATT SCHOENFELD Q. I’ve heard you’ve been having some great Q. When a potentially provocative topic like this comes conversations with students in your freshman and up, how do you handle it beyond the classroom? sophomore Bible class. What stands out to you? A. In instances like these, I always send out an e-mail to the A. A couple times a year God moves and we wind up having students’ parents that day to alert them of the conversation. a completely unplanned and unexpected conversation that My goal is to turn these special classroom conversations takes up an entire class period. Recently, the talk turned into dinner conversations so that parents can reinforce and very deep, very quickly, and I was so encouraged with the correct as needed. I know I don’t have all the answers, so I’m students’ transparency and honesty. We wound up discussing just trying to get a better grasp on biblical truth as I help the the issue of missing an opportunity to witness to a friend or kids do the same. family member who then dies unexpectedly. It actually got pretty emotional when a student recounted about a friend who Q. What do you want to see from parents when it comes was killed. The discussion was rich, open, and redemptive. It to communicating with you? allowed us to explore the mystery of free will and why some A. I realize that past elementary school parents can feel choose wisely and some choose foolishly. like there is almost no communication with junior high and high school teachers. I want parents to contact me with any Q. How did you help instill a biblical worldview on such questions or concerns, and I encourage reminders from mom a difficult topic? and dad about what’s going on with their real life issues or A. First off, I reinforced that it is ultimately the Holy Spirit’s job questions they may have about their student’s academics. I to determine and convict regarding salvation. We discussed love being a resource to students and parents about enforcing having a repentant heart if there was something God a biblical worldview. Please e-mail me any time! called us to do that we did not do, and then we realized the importance of being obedient to speak as God requires in the future. I shared a number of encouraging scriptures as well. With this being the school’s 40th anniversary, I know we are But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father celebrating all God has done over the years. To me, this was will send in my name, will teach you all things and will a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the importance of living remind you of everything I have said to you. out a biblical worldview every day so that those we come in John 14:26 NIV contact with can see and experience the power of God.

PAGE | 4 Parent Perspective

Recollections of MCA

“We felt “We “Since arriving at blessed to wanted MCA in 1988, I be able to a place have witnessed send our where students battle daughters to our kids to win mock Debbie Hamil Maranatha. Steve Gordon could elections, Mark Hodusky God always provided for us get instruction from a Biblical determine the law of the land in mock financially, even during the worldview on a daily basis and Supreme Court sessions, corral stray cattle self-employed years. Rebekah not just once a week in Sunday on long drives to Abilene, learn history on Hamil Allen, ‘01, and Jennifer school. We got much more than the heights of Little Round Top and among Hamil Borel, ’04. are both that. Our children ran around the camps of Valley Forge, and resolve working in public education, with other kids who were getting impossible world crises while attending the pouring their passion of English the same instruction, and so their Democracy Foundation. And much like and Art into their students. friends and their fellowship took the locust tree planted in front of the high I will always be thankful for on an integral nature from which school entrance, I have had the joy to watch Maranatha, the teachers, and they all benefitted. Maranatha hundreds of young people grow in their faith staff who sacrificed to teach built leadership qualities in our in Christ, causing them, like the roots and here. And I continue to work kids and equipped them to have branches of the locust tree, to reach out and here because I love the family confidence in their lives and provide life and shade to countless people of Maranatha!” walk in faith as young adults). and places. God has used MCA for 40 years to impact eternity, I am excited to see where we will grow to next.”

Matt Gordon, Justin Medford, Jamie Neeck, Jennifer Hamil Borel, ’04 Working the Annual Cattle Drive Erin Reynolds, Patrick Gordon Rebekah Hamil Allen, ‘01

Jerry Kolb, Ardy Kolb, John Borel, Jennifer Borel, Debbie Hamil, Ed Hamil, Rebekah Allen, Alba Allen Teaching at Gettysburg PAGE | 5 Wedding photos courtesy of Love, Elizabeth World Changers

Back row: Karen Wagner, coach, Madeline Hartwig (12), Abby Bouvier (11), Cassie Stock (12), Sadie Prowell (11), Alayna Marmon (9), Candace Asbell, Head Coach. First Row: Brooke Bowlin (11), Mattie Schoenfeld (9), Brin Eisley (9), Blythe Asbell (11) Front: Anna Poleleyev (9) (JaCori Edgley (9) not pictured.)

MCA Tennis Team Serves Up the Love of Jesus by Matt Schoenfeld

Love-Love. Not only is that the score that the person calls out who is serving to start a tennis match, it’s also what our girls’ high school tennis team has been serving up to our competition – a double volley of love. So far this season our competitors – Sumner Academy, St. James Academy, and Barstow to name a few – have sought out Candace Asbell, the team’s coach, to let her know what a difference they have seen in our players. The team has been serving up a steady dose of Christ’s love. “Our focus is on honoring Christ as we play with our three crowns: 1) positive attitude 2) full effort 3) good sportsmanship Although we have not won all our matches, our victories have been the example of ‘living for Christ.’ Every coach has pulled me aside to comment on the kindness and attitude of my players!” As a way to be world changers for Christ, before each match, team captains Blythe Asbell and Cassie Stock have been asking the other teams to pray together. Additionally, the other team’s players are noticing the difference in our girls. They have repeatedly commented about how nice our players are and what an enjoyable time they have had playing matches with us because of the good sportsmanship our girls have shown. This is why we play sports at MCA, so our teams can be a witness of Christ’s love. In one humorous situation, a rival player elected to not participate in the pre-match prayer. When she subsequently lost her match, her own teammates were ribbing her that if she would have prayed the outcome might have been different! While prayer equals victory is not the message we were trying to send, the fact is the pre-match prayer had others talking and thinking about God. Coach Asbell concluded, “I’m very proud of our team and what a terrific job our young ladies have done showing the light of Christ. We have had fantastic response and will continue our season improving our tennis skills and honoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Celebrating world changers.

Matt Schoenfeld is MCA’s Director of Development and Communications.

PAGE | 6 2014-15 Corporate Partners Corporate Partner Profile

SOLUTIONS E Big Benefits for Small Businesses 8325 Lenexa Dr.C #410, T Lenexa, KS 66214 (913) 383-2999

Axcet HR Solutions provides big benefits for small businesses, including Maranatha Christian Academy. As a long-time corporate partner of MCA, they also are a big blessing to the school. Axcet is a multi-year, diamond level corporate partner.

Axcet helps take the human resources load off of small business so that business owners can focus on what they do best. Offering payroll, benefits, insurance, and compliance services, Axcet serves as the HR department for small businesses to help them cost-effectively outsource all aspects of HR management.

Axcet HR Solutions maintains partnerships with hundreds of companies in Kansas City and the surrounding region, representing a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, travel, health care, real estate, and a host of other consumer and business services.

Vice President, Eric Kesselring, has several grandchildren that attend MCA (the West family), and he puts it this way, “When I continue to see the quality young men and woman that MCA produces, it’s obvious that the school is making a big difference in the lives of students. Our company is pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause as the MCA tuition assistance fund.”

For more information about how Axcet might assist your small business, please visit: www.axcethr.com.

The Corporate Partner Program exists to provide financial support to Maranatha. We anticipate more than 25 local businesses will provide backing for Maranatha’s tuition assistance program. This year our goal is to raise $150,000 through the corporate partner program to benefit the tuition fund. A number of benefits are available to our partners. You can receive more information about the program by visiting: http://mca- eagles.org/community-support/business- partners.

PAGE | 7 Upcoming Events

October 23-24 | Teacher Conferences (Elementary) No School

November 7 | Gala Auction, 6:15 P.M. Lake Quivira Country Club

December 16 | Elementary Christmas Program, 7 P.M.

23-January 6 | Christmas Break

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