"Giving the Charge"

To me it was a big deal and a great honor.  

Yesterday, Tuesday, August 6 was the opening day of classes at Modesto Christian School.
   

Modesto Christian is a truly great school that was initiated in 1967 by the late Pastor Roy Blakeley, a true visionary and founder of Neighborhood Church Assembly of God where my son, Tim has served on staff for 16 years now. Many years ago Pastor Blakeley was able to acquire 40 acres of choice land in northern Modesto for building the school.  More recently the church, which now uses the gym for services, has purchased an additional 15 acres.  

This school has grown into a wonderful instrument of the Lord touching the lives of hundreds of children.  Both of our grandchildren, Michelle and Evan started in kindergarten here and Michelle just graduated from MC high school with honors.  Evan is now a junior, while Michelle will start at Azuza Pacific University next month.  

On the night before classes start it is customary to gather all the teachers, staff, board members along with their husband or wife for a kickoff celebration.  Doug Wesson, the chairman of the board invited me to be a part of this event, to eat with them at a restaurant and then to “Give the Charge” and to lead them in prayer.  

So Monday night nearly 100 of us gathered in a crowded room of the restaurant.  

The “Charge” from the Lord was not only to provide excellence in education, but to be “passionate” about leading these children, adolescents and youth to a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, while modeling that Christian life before them.  

Yesterday 65 new students stepped onto MC’s campus.  Many of them come from non-christian homes.  Some are foster kids.  Some are international students.  

In fact Tim and Cheryl are now hosting two 14 year old Chinese boys straight from China for the entire year.  So 16 year old Evan will have two new brothers, Tyler and John.  

I just called Tim and found  him helping the boys with their homework. 

Welcome to the world of being the "daddy" of three boys!  I think I know something about that... and wouldn't trade it for anything!

Ralph