The heart of the matter
The other day I was talking on the phone with a prospective new Summit parent and she asked me a great question. She said,”I really like what I see on your website but what really makes Summit different from all the other Christian schools in the area?” My first thoughts were the Bob Jones curriculum that we use across the grade levels, and our small class sizes, community environment, safe campus, christian character emphasis, biblical worldview. But other schools have that, what really distinguishes us is our focus on our love for God!
When a community of Christians come together and truely love God they want to glorify Him with their lives! Their focus becomes their personal relationship with God and not judgement of everyone elses walk. It is a simple concept but has huge implecations! Frank Hamrik in his book “The Heart of the Matter” really expresses it well,
“The purpose of a Christian school is not to teach youth how to live but to magnify the majesty of God. Christian school teachers are not behaviorists, but cardiologists. They teach, not only so students will achieve academic excellence, but also so students will have a heart for God and zeal to exalt His name,” (Hamrick, 2005)
And our teachers model it every day, all day! Our exceptional teachers are mission/ministry minded with every child. Their discipleship mindset transforms the culture of the school!
But they also are exceptional educators! I’ve watched this week as they have selflessly labored to provide the best education for every child! When I’ve had a discipline issue, their concern was for the heart of the child. When we’ve had a curriculum need it is to insure the education of each and every child.
And their approach to their profession is to be the best to glorify God using a diverse approach to teaching. They don’t just “teach to book” but often I’ll see them integrating some of the latest learning research such as that of Howard Gardner. (Gardner and others in the secular educational arena have begun to discover what the scripture teaches that each of us is unique and wonderfully made),
Psalm 139
“13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
We also have a great staff of volunteers! Recently our long time Administrative Assistant, Debbie Schmitt, who was instrumental in the development of Summit over the summer, decided to take a new direction in her life and left Summit. Debbie will be greatly missed and her lagacy will live on at Summit for years to come. But immediately and quite naturally Sherry Ehrhart, Shelley Sharer, Jen Zambrano and other parents stepped in and enabled a smooth transition by volunteering their time in the office!
All of this happens because Summit is composed of people committed to glorifying God through their lives because they Love God with their whole heart! What a tremendous testimony to our God, the One Who is continuing to perform miracles in our midst that brings glory to His name!
