Superintendent's Blog

May 6, 2011

National Day of Prayer

What a privilege it is to be able to pray, to learn about prayer in community, and to spend time in prayer --right in school. Today, our TBS elementary students were challenged from God's Word to pray and then were reminded of the many opportunities we have to talk to God throughout the day. Our high school student council led their chapel, with student leaders challenging their fellow students to not take prayer for granted, but to pray for the many areas of life their lives are engaged in. We know that God asks us to pray, promises to hear our prayers, and tells us He will answer our prayers. How wonderful that we can pray and trust Him to work out His perfect will in our lives.

Christian Education is Worth It!

Mon, Jan 30, 2012

Come visit our TBS campus this Thursday, February 2, from 6-8 p.m., and let us share with you why we are convinced that every penny you put into an education based on God's Word is worth it. Meet teachers who are dedicated to serving God first and then to the children they teach. Review a curriculum that challenges students to grow academically and is taught from a Biblical perspective. Talk to students who are enthusiastic about the education and training they have received at TBS.

February 7, we urge you to visit the Open House at the New Hope campus in Graham. There you will find teachers committed to Jesus and to their students. You will find a family atmosphere that blesses and builds confidence in each student. You will be able to preview a curriculum that encourages academic
excellence and is taught from a Biblical perspective.

A Christian education is definitely worth it! Come and see for yourself.

Worth It!

Fri, Jan 27, 2012

In a new book written by ACSI President Brian Simmons, he asks the question, "Is Christian Education worth it? From that question --and his well documented answer-- he titled his book, Worth It!. The book explores the fact that children are in school for about 15.000 hours and influenced greatly by their teachers and peers. Knowing that, is the money invested in a Christian school education worth it? In an easy to read format, Dr. Simmons builds a case for the value of an education built on the truth of God's word, taught by educators who love Truth and delivered in an atmosphere of love and compassion. He concludes -- it is Worth It!!

I will provide a copy of the book to the first ten people who email with their contact information. I hope you will be convinced that a Christian education is indeed WORTH IT!

New

Fri, Jan 6, 2012

There is something refreshing about "new." When we talk about the "new year" it means opportunity for starting again. It means hope. It means a new resolve. it means we can try again.

For New Hope Christian and Tacoma Baptist Schools, the new year offers opportunity for a new resolve. We resolve in this new year to be more faithful to our mission, to build stronger relationships with our students and to open our hearts in greater ways to the work of God. You are welcome to hold us accountable to our resolve.

Welcome to the Christmas Season!

Wed, Nov 30, 2011

I look forward to the Christmas programs, the caroling, the high school tradition of "Deck the Halls" and the parties and special dress days -- each event adding to the memories of this very special time of year. Most important, we consider again the birth of Jesus Christ. At SSCS, Jesus Christ is the center of Christmas. It is HIS birthday party. Come join us for one or more of our concerts. You will hear the true story of Christmas, and, you will be blessed.

Much to Thank God for!

Mon, Nov 21, 2011

Many people describe the community of South Sound Christian Schools as "family". Now in my third year at SSCS, I can agree that SSCS is indeed "family". I daily see people caring for each other, just like family. I see sacrifices being made, like a family would make. I see adults wanting the best for students, just like parents want the best for their children. Having family is a wonderful thing, and as we approach Thanksgiving day, I am thankful to God for the wonderful family of SSCS. I pray that your Thanksgiving vacation will be one filled with memories of family and that you will have a renewed awe for the great God we serve.

Our Heritage

Fri, Nov 4, 2011

I am so thankful for the countless men and women who have served our country so that we have the freedoms we enjoy every day. We will honor our Veterans on November 9 at 9:30 in the TBS gym. We welcome you to attend that very special chapel.

Homecoming Week October 24-28

Wed, Oct 19, 2011

Homecoming Week is October 24-29. What a special time! We invite our alumni to come back and visit, we offer a fun week of traditional, mixed with new activities for current students and we hope to win our Homecoming game!The high school student body enjoys a wonderful formal dinner Saturday night. We invite our school family to celebrate with us by attending our game and cheering for the Crusaders! Memories are made and good times shared. Come be a part of this special week!

Student Leaders

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

I work with high school student leaders. The time I spend with them gives me hope, because they care deeply about their school and are eager to do what is right. Along with their classmates, they appreciate an education that truly prepares them for university. They want to be taught from a biblical world view. These young leaders will one day lead in their own homes, serve in their churches and make a difference in their communities. New Hope Christian School and TBS are about today's disciples becoming tomorrow's leaders.

50 Year Celebration Picnic!

Mon, Sep 12, 2011

YOU ARE INVITED!!! This Saturday, September 17th, from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. we will be celebrating God's provision of 50 Fabulous years for Tacoma Baptist! This event will be held at the school, 2052 S 64th St, Tacoma, WA 98409. ANYONE who has attended, taught at, worked for or been associated with is welcome. We look forward to connecting with the past as we look toward the future of TBS. If you plan to attend, please call the school 253-475-7226, ext. 104. We hope to see you there!

Welcome Back Students!

Mon, Aug 29, 2011

This week we welcome back our students for another year of learning what it means to love God and live in relationship to Him. We are honored to be partnering with parents who desire that their children be world changes, be leaders, make a difference in their sphere of influence. As we disciple our students this year, our prayer is that they become leaders of tomorrow.

Welcome Back!

Mon, Aug 22, 2011

We are looking forward to welcoming back our students to a new year at
our New Hope campus in Graham and our Tacoma Baptist campus -- in
Tacoma! Whether the student has been at our schools since
Kindergarten or is coming this year for the first time, we are excited
to have a new member to our school family :) Every school year is
different, and this one promises to be one of growth as we CULTIVATE
our students to become leaders.

If you are still unsure about the value of Christian education, please
give us a call. We enjoy talking about how we disciple students to
become tomorrow's leader.

August is here!

Mon, Aug 1, 2011

We are anticipating a GREAT year at Tacoma Baptist Schools and at New Hope Christian School.

I just returned from ACSI's Leadership Academy. Again, we were reminded of the importance of Christian schools, of partnering with parents in this immensely important responsibility of training young people to know and love God. At TBS and NH, we nurture students, living out before them an example of the life of a Christ follower.

Come join us this year, for a year of CULTIVATION of Godly truth into the life of your child.

A Committed Faculty

Mon, Jul 11, 2011

Recently, the faculty of both TBS and New Hope spent two days at a Seattle workshop learning new skills in Differentiated Instruction. They learned how to involve students in more collaborative learning and how to adapt their teaching for all modalities of learners. The workshop was not taught from a Biblical perspective, yet I listened as each teacher processed the knowledge shared through an understanding of the truth of God's Word. I know how grateful our parents are for a faculty who puts everything they learn and teach through a Biblical grid. Our time in Seattle was worthwhile. We are looking forward to the difference our new understandings will make in our classrooms in the fall.

2010-11 School Year

Mon, Jun 20, 2011

The 2010-11 school year has come to an end. The Class of 2011 has graduated and each student is on his or her way to the next road in the journey of life. Test scores show that our students are ready academically. The scholarships given give testimony to the character, service and academics achieved by our students in high school. My hearts desire, however, is that each TBS senior has graduated desiring to glorify God with a life committed to His service. My hope is that each has a heart to serve God and, in doing so, serve others. And, there is much evidence that our graduates are going to make a mark on the world for Jesus Christ. Many are continuing their education at Christian colleges. Several are heading to Bible/Missions school. Others desire to make a difference in the work place or the secular school arena. Whatever their call, I will be praying for them. I look forward to watching each continue to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christian School

Wed, Jun 8, 2011

This past weekend I celebrated my niece's graduation from a Christian high school. What a celebration it was! A young woman who could have been sucked into the horrors of the Portland Public School System instead graduated with Christ in her heart and a purity ring on her finger. For that to happen, my sister made many sacrifices. Raising a daughter as a single mom is a difficult challenge. Putting my niece through a Christian school made her mom's finances even more challenging. But as we all prayed, we saw God take care of them in amazing ways. Bags of groceries showed up on her doorstep. Women in the church "kidnapped" them and provided shopping trips for clothes. Christmas and birthday gifts were generous and met needs. Even with an income of under $1000 a month and paying 50% Christian school tuition (thanks to the school's generous financial aid program), they lived frugally but comfortably. Only an amazing God could accomplish that. I personally am convinced that when my sister purposed in her heart that her daughter would be taught in a place where His name was lifted up and where she would be taught His Truth, God provided her every need. He is a God of miracles and He provides for what is His will.

MEMORIAL DAY

Tue, May 31, 2011

To many Americans, Memorial Day is just a day off, a day to enjoy the sales, a day to picnic with family. For me, it is a day to remember the great sacrifice so many Americans before me made so that I can be free. I am so thankful and very indebted to those who have given their life for my freedom.

Even more, I am thankful for the freedom I have in Christ. Because Jesus died, I am free. I am free from eternal punishment, free from the bondage of sin, free from a life of emptiness. Since Christ died for me, I have eternal life, freedom from the clutches of sin and live a full and abundant life in Him.

Today I celebrate freedom!

National Day of Prayer

Fri, May 6, 2011

What a privilege it is to be able to pray, to learn about prayer in community, and to spend time in prayer --right in school. Today, our TBS elementary students were challenged from God's Word to pray and then were reminded of the many opportunities we have to talk to God throughout the day. Our high school student council led their chapel, with student leaders challenging their fellow students to not take prayer for granted, but to pray for the many areas of life their lives are engaged in. We know that God asks us to pray, promises to hear our prayers, and tells us He will answer our prayers. How wonderful that we can pray and trust Him to work out His perfect will in our lives.

Christian Schools Do Not Shelter Students

Tue, Apr 5, 2011

Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide them from their children; We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done."  

Christian schools do not shelter students from reality. Instead, they prepare students for real life by teaching them the whole truth about the real world while honoring the presence of the source of truth, Jesus Christ. Christian schools partner with parents by teaching the next generation about God's standards/commands for life. As teachers walk alongside students, as they sit with them at lunchtime and enter into discussions, as they talk in classrooms, sharing facts and concepts, they constantly challenge students to think about God, His purposes and His plan for their life and for this world. In doing that, the realities of life are laid open for discussion. A biblical worldview is presented for students to compare to other world views. Christian schools do not shelter students.

Thoughts from the TBS Auction

Tue, Mar 22, 2011

What a great time was had by all those who attended the TBS Auction March 19th! The fellowship was sweet, the 50's theme was fun and the generosity from those who attended was GREATLY appreciated! The Fund-An-Item brought in almost $7,500 needed new technology for our classrooms :) Our elementary students will benefit from Automatic Response Systems, helping the teachers assess their understanding as new concepts are taught. The secondary students will benefit from LCD projectors in the classrooms, bringing the technology up to date.  

Thanks so much for supporting Christian education!! Now -- we look forward to the auction at our New Hope campus on April 8th!! The public is welcome!

The Importance of Christian Education

Fri, Mar 4, 2011

We talk a lot about mission and vision at South Sound Christian Schools. I was reviewing some notes from a seminar I attended last year and saw this reminder which gave me cause to think again about the importance of Christian schools.  

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (NIV) Imbedded in this verse is both mission and vision. Our mission is to train children in the way they should go, with a biblical world view and knowing God in a personal relationship. Our vision is that when they are old they will continue to choose to live by God's standards of love and will know God in intimate relationship.  

At both New Hope and TBS our heart's desire is to partner with parents to train students to know God and to understand His loving commands. Our passion is to share with our students our relationship with God in a way that will challenge them to also want to know Him. We hope that we see the mission and vision of Proverbs 22:6 fulfilled in the lives of TBS and NH students.

Happy Birthday to TBS!!!

Mon, Feb 7, 2011

The sound of 350 TBS Pre-Kindergarten - 12th graders shouting "TBS!! TBS!! TBS!!" still rings in my ears. That is how we ended our TBS Happy 50th Birthday celebration last Friday. The entire campus gathered to sing "Happy Birthday" to TBS in a grand finale to our week of celebrating 50 Years of God's blessing on this school. It was a wonderful way to end "Decade Week". We enjoyed dressing up, beginning with 1960 clothes on Monday and ending with dressing in 1990's outfits on Thursday. Friday, of course, was Blue and Gold day -- and students demonstrated their school loyalty in a major way. As students filled the bleachers for the birthday party Friday, a sea of blue and gold met the eyes. What fun!!

Christian education is vital to the fabric of America. Through Christian schools, a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty is taught. Although we recognize the issues we face in this country, we still know that we live in the greatest country on this earth. Christian schools are dedicated to teaching young people to love God, family and country. TBS plans to partner with parents in providing an education with a Biblical worldview for many years to come.

Happy Birthday, TBS!!

TBS Celebrates 50 Years of Christian Education!

Wed, Feb 2, 2011

The 50 Year Celebration Kick-off proved to be a very special event as approximately 230 TBS fans gathered to celebrate all God has accomplished through the ministry of the school since 1960. Guests enjoyed fellowship and finger foods as many re-united with old friends and shared stories of days gone by.

TBS current and past faculty and staff enjoyed visiting with their "grown up" students, while other guests met friends of TBS for the first time. Jim Olson, current School Board President, shared his family's rich history with TBS: Jim's dad helped build the first TBS school building, Jim graduated from TBHS as well as his three sons, and currently has grandchildren attending TBS! Several other TBS alums shared best memories to the delight of the guests. It was more than fun!!

I was thrilled to be able to share the vision of TBS looking forward, and to encourage our guests to pray with us as we continue to accomplish all God has in His heart for us. We are now looking forward to several more 50 Year Celebration events throughout the spring, culminating in our Anniversary Dinner on October 15th!

Equipping Students With a Biblical World View

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

I am a fan of Jeff Myers, a man who is passionate about equipping Christian young people with a Biblical world view. Recently I read an article by Jeff entitled, "College: Are Parents Getting Their Money's Worth? Are They Getting 'More' Than They Bargained For?" Jeff talked about the two million students that head to college each fall. He states, "A recent study confirms what many parents have long suspected, that going to most colleges can make kids forget the things that are important and embrace values that are counter to what they learned growing up."

It challenged me to reflect back on the many seniors I have seen go off to college. Some have held strong through the onslaught of humanistic teaching; most attribute that to a continuing mentoring relationship with strong adult believers. Too many have questioned their faith, joined the party scene, decided to live for now, and ended up with many regrets.  

At TBS we are equipping our students with a Biblical world view. In every class, teachers challenge students to make faith in Jesus Christ their own, and require them to think about the subject matter and current issues in relationship to the truth of God's Word. It is our hope that students will continue their Christian education at a university where they will be further trained to impact their world for Christ.

Happy New Year!

Tue, Jan 4, 2011

January brings hopes for new beginnings, new opportunities and for new ways of living. I am challenged to continue to ponder the sovereignty of God and to know Him in a deeper way this year. I hope for more opportunity to serve Him and more opportunity to see Him in His unlimited power at work at South Sound Christian Schools.

At SSCS we are committed to challenging our students to believe in the God of new beginnings. We put before our students new opportunities for learning about our Creator in science, our Sustainer in history, the Author in English classes and the Constant One in math. Our students are challenged daily to strive for excellence in their academic work while they understand God in new ways. All instruction becomes an opportunity for avenues of careful thought as well as "outside of the box" thinking as teachers challenge students to think critically about their world.

Reaching Out to Those in Need

Mon, Dec 13, 2010

December 13, 2010

Reaching Out to Those in Need

Christmas seems a great time to allow children to see that others are in need. Adopting a family and choosing gifts for children of like age is a wonderful way to teach your children to give. Even better is to ask your children to earn their own money to purchase a gift for someone in need. Participating in "Angel Tree" or "Operation Christmas Child" are other avenues of teaching the joy of giving.

At New Hope, TBS Elementary and TBS Secondary, students are challenged to reach out to others during the Christmas season. We hope our students grow into young adults who truly have a heart for those in need.

Thoughts taken from "Raising Kids Who Care" by Martha Fay, Readers Digest, December 2008.

I was reading an article this weekend about raising kids who care more about themselves. The article suggests that we must "start them young", if we want teens and adults to care about others. As young children begin to understand that there are others who do not have all the advantages that they may have, compassion and concern are developed for those less fortunate. Involving children in charity work at a young age exposes them to the needs of others and can invoke compassion and kindness in young hearts.

Christmas seems a great time to allow children to see that others are in need. Adopting a family and choosing gifts for children of like age is a wonderful way to teach your children to give. Even better is to ask your children to earn their own money to purchase a gift for someone in need. Participating in "Angel Tree" or "Operation Christmas Child" are other avenues of teaching the joy of giving.

At New Hope, TBS Elementary and TBS Secondary, students are challenged to reach out to others during the Christmas season. We hope our students grow into young adults who truly have a heart for those in need.

Thoughts taken from "Raising Kids Who Care" by Martha Fay, Readers Digest, December 2008.

Veteran's Day Chapels

Fri, Nov 12, 2010

Honoring Veterans November 11, 2010

I am so glad for the heart of Tacoma Baptist Schools and New Hope Christian School. Among many important heart throbs, the one for the importance of patriotism beats strongly. Our students know the importance of our Judeo-Christian heritage. They understand that honoring God and adhering to the founding principles of this country is crucial. Watching our students give gifts and cards to the veterans who attended our special chapels was heart-warming. Observing our junior high students escort the veterans to the reception in their honor was a blessing. Hearing the songs played and sung by our students caused me to fight tears. We live in a uniquely blessed country and we must never forget the great cost of our freedoms. Our deeply felt gratitude to ALL veterans and soldiers who have paid the price to keep our country free!

Pastors attend SSCS chapels

Thu, Oct 14, 2010

In our weekly chapels this morning, we welcomed Pastors to our TBS campus. Our mission states that we desire to “support the Christian home and church” and today we stood beside and honored our Pastors for the wonderful work they do to challenge our young people to a closer walk with their Lord.

Twenty-six pastors attended the elementary chapel. As our students shared poetry, sang worship songs and gathered around our pastors and prayed for them, many hearts were encouraged. And -- our students learned the importance of blessing those in authority above them.

Jeriah, Spiritual Life Student Leader, welcomed nine pastors to the secondary chapel and encouraged them with words about well known Old Testament saints. Each pastor was encouraged to share his name, church, ministry and several prayer requests. What a blessing it was to see the students then gather around the pastors and pray for them. Our hope is that Pastors left encouraged, knowing that they are loved and appreciated by the family at TBS!

A week of anniversaries

Sun, Oct 10, 2010

In church Sunday, we celebrated Pastor Jerry Mitchell for 30 years of ministry at my church, Crossroads Bible Church, Bellevue, WA. It is an accomplishment to be at one place for 30 years -- and to have had impacted so many lives. I honor and appreciate my pastor and am so thankful for the challenge to spiritual growth that I benefit from each Sunday.

Tacoma Baptist Schools is celebrating 50 years of Christian education this year. WOW! That is an even greater accomplishment in terms of years! And, think of the thousands of lives that have been impacted for Christ over those 50 years. I know just a little of the story of those early days. I do know that much sacrifice made it possible for the vision for a Christian school in this area to come to fruition. January 28-30, 2011, the TBS family will celebrate this very special anniversary. Our celebration team is praying and working so that we will have an awesome time of celebration with the many people who have been impacted for Christ through TBS. My prayer is that many will join us and be blessed...

Tue, Nov 30, 1999