by Pastor Phil Ellsworth

In the fall of 2000 I was disheartened by the extensive division in our nation that caused the Presidential election to drag on into December. Not since the Civil War has our nation been so divided. Conservative Christian values were losing ground every year to the humanistic philosophies of public education. This country has raised almost two generations of children who do not possess even a basic Christian/Biblical knowledge. The leaders of the next generation have been effectively steeped in secular humanist worldviews. The future of Christianity in the United States was looking bleak. To be sure, some Christian leaders have already accepted defeat in the battle for the hearts and minds of our nation. I cannot. I will not.

For 20 years I publicly said that I would not start a Christian school. They were expensive, distracting to church ministry, and I, personally, didn't like the product I had observed coming out of them. But, on the morning of November 8, 2000 (the day after the national elections) I woke up with a strong conviction that GCFC was to start a Christian school that would emphasize education based on a Biblical worldview, Christian leadership, and public speaking. It is not my goal to simply raise a generation of Christian-educated people. Too often they disappear into society rather than affecting it. We don't need leaders who just have a “private Christian faith.” This nation needs Christian leaders who know what they are talking about and can communicate those ideas because they have a good grasp of the English language. This is the calling of Grace Christian Academy.

Within days I asked Linda Holloway (former Kansas State School Board Chair who led the Creation/ Evolution controversy to national attention) to establish the school and be its Director.

Because of space limitations in the church and the fact that most children have already established their valued system by age 13, the school started with only Grade School ages. The first year we had a director, 1 full-time teacher, and five students. Because of growth we have hired an additional part-time teacher (5 half-days), and a third experienced teacher for one full day a week. We also have several faithful volunteers who give special attention to tutoring, music, physical education and more.

The curriculum is as good as any in the region and the staff is superior. Come check us out. I know that you will like what you see.