Last year, MPC athletics embarked on the inaugural season of the Mount Paran Christian fishing team. Our school ventured into sport fishing due to several students already fishing through local bass clubs. Because MPCS is blessed with having Lake McDonald on campus, it was a natural fit to have our own fishing team. Athletic Director, Mitch Jordan, and Outdoor Education Teacher/Coach, Connie Arnold, gave the green light to proceed with this amazing opportunity for our school.

I had an occasion recently to review an article written by the American Culture and Faith Institute which has, as its sole purpose, to educate, motivate, and activate Christians to engage in cultural transformations in ways that are consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The article, entitled “Americans Worried About Children,” provided a sobering analysis of a 2017 survey, which was conducted among adults in the United States. It attempted to identify the impact of the contemporary culture on the lives of our children and the views of Christians in regard to this phenomenon.

In the winter of 2017, a committee of head coaches began the process of developing a clear and compelling vision for the Mount Paran Christian athletic program. We posed a series of questions: What is our current athletic program’s culture? Is program success measured in only wins and losses? What does a championship culture look like? Championship teams and programs have a winning way of doing things. Collectively, we want our student-athletes, teams, coaches, parents, fans, and community to share a winning way of conduct on and off the field of play.

#BeKind is a focused effort to teach students to value the God-given uniqueness of every child, friend, teacher, coach, staff member, etc. It is more than just acting nicely - it is learning the core values of good character and effective interpersonal skills. It is a way to develop relationships - crossing cultural, developmental, and socioeconomic boundaries, and encouraging intentional acts of kindness, big or small. It is about being "salt and light" by modeling Christ-like character to all of those around us. You may have already heard of the #BeKind "movement" and we have now brought it to MPCS in every grade-level! 

Today we will experience a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon... the eclipse! Solar eclipses are an amazing phenomenon. As the moon slides between the earth and the sun, the sun’s brilliance gradually fades. Its light grows dim as if there’s a layer of dust on everything you see. The effect is most dramatic on a bright cloudless day. While the eclipse is in full force, it’s easy to forget that the sun is still there in all its force and glory.

2 Corintians 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...

When a student serves on a mission trip, he or she will often get a glimpse into the heart of God. We serve a big God that has amazing  plans for his people and the nations. While on a short-term mission trip, students sense God's amazing compassion for "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9). Once one grasps the compassion of God, it becomes easier to engage in Kingdom-building. The Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28, is not a suggestion; it is a command. We must be willing to accept the calling that God has placed on our lives.
 

As the new year begins, we often spend time reflecting on the year that has just passed. We glow in memories of joy, success, and contentment, and we ache over hardships, struggles, and trials. As I reflect on the past semester as the head of Mount Paran Christian high school, I can honestly say there were hardships – but far more moments of sheer joy.