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Posts Tagged "donor development"
A Season of Miracles: Reflecting on Calvary Christian School's Journey in 2024
October 24, 2024
Welcome to the Fall of 2024! As I reflect on these past four years, it’s hard to believe I’ve been blessed to serve at Calvary Christian School for this long. This year marks my 40th in Christian education, and I can say that my current role at Calvary is a dream come true. Through the highs and lows, I’ve witnessed God’s hand at work, guiding this school through challenges, victories, and growth beyond what we could have imagined.
A School with a Rich History
Calvary Christian School has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Starting in 1979 as a small ministry of the church, the school often faced questions about its survival. Could it continue with limited resources and support? Would the church be able to sustain it? Despite these uncertainties, Calvary pushed forward, and by 2012, we took a major step by establishing our high school program, leading to our first graduation in 2016.
Looking back, it feels like a series of miracles. Just as the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 fought for victories they would never see, the leaders of Calvary laid the foundation for the thriving institution we have today. Without their vision and perseverance, none of the incredible growth we’re experiencing now would have been possible.
Mission and Momentum
At the heart of our success is our unwavering commitment to Christian education. Under the leadership of Ryan Hyde, our Head of School, we’ve developed a program that nurtures the heart, soul, spirit, and mind of our students (Deuteronomy 6:4). Our mission extends beyond academics to include athletics, fine arts, leadership, and discipleship relationships, all centered on God’s Word. It’s a joy to see adults mentoring kids on their spiritual journeys while also excelling in academics and extracurriculars.
Still, challenges remain. Space constraints, limited resources, and a lack of a dedicated gymnasium are just a few of the obstacles we’ve faced. But when a community comes together to champion a cause, God works through His people in magnificent ways. We’ve seen this time and time again, and it’s a powerful reminder that when we align ourselves with His mission, incredible things happen.
Growth by the Numbers
The last four years have been marked by significant growth. Consider these numbers:
- Enrollment: From 230 students in 2019 to 482 in 2024, with projections reaching 655 by 2030.
- Budget: Our operating budget has grown from $800,000 in 2019 to an impressive $4 million in 2024.
- Staff Expansion: We’ve increased our team from 28 to 65 dedicated teachers and staff members.
- Assets: What started with $0 in assets has grown to more than $11 million.
These numbers tell a story of God’s provision and the dedication of our community. But the true impact of these changes goes beyond figures on a page—it’s reflected in the lives of our students.
A School Where Christ is at the Center
Every day at Calvary Christian School, we celebrate moments that matter for eternity. I’ve seen students accept Christ into their hearts and publicly declare their faith through baptism. I’ve watched teachers dive into the Word with their students, guiding them through spiritual formation. Our athletic teams, too, are living out their faith, joining hands in prayer with opposing teams after games and showing their allegiance to Christ in everything they do.
In a world that is increasingly hostile to Christian values, Calvary Christian School is standing firm. We are equipping our students to face the challenges of today’s culture with the truth of God’s Word, and we’re doing it with passion and purpose.
The Road Ahead: Phase 1 and Beyond
We’re not done yet! Since 2021, we’ve embarked on a major building project, starting with Phase 1, which saw the construction of new classrooms and administrative spaces. In January 2023, we moved into our new facility, but Phase 2—a 50,000-square-foot expansion including a gymnasium—is well underway. By December 2024, we expect to complete construction and, God willing, move the entire school to our new campus in January 2025.
This project is a monumental undertaking, and we’ve already raised over $5 million towards our $9 million goal. We still need to raise about $500,000 to fully complete the project, but I am confident that, with God’s help and the continued support of our community, we will reach this goal.
How You Can Help
As we approach the finish line, I invite you to consider joining us in this endeavor. Whether you’ve contributed before or are considering giving for the first time, your support will help make Christian education more accessible and impactful than ever before. We’re planning to honor our donors with a special recognition board in the foyer of our new gymnasium, and we’d love for your name to be part of that legacy.
Thank you to all who have supported us over the years. Your prayers, contributions, and encouragement have been invaluable. Together, we’re building something that will impact generations to come. Let’s continue to lean on God’s faithfulness and pursue His mission with passion and perseverance.
This journey has been nothing short of miraculous, and I am grateful to walk alongside so many faithful servants of Christ as we continue this mission. We’ve come a long way, but the best is yet to come. Will you join us in finishing what we’ve started? Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of students for eternity.
You can read the full Development Report for 2024 to see all the details of our journey and growth, including more stories of God’s faithfulness and the milestones we’ve reached along the way.
Click here to read the entire report.
In His service,
Dr. Bragg
Calvary Christian School
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Posted in
The Christian Education Movement
A Testament to God's Provision: $250,000 Grant Received!
August 14, 2024
A Testament to God's Provision: $250,000 Grant Received!
In moments of reflection on this incredible journey to build our new school, we can’t help but stand in awe of God’s provision. The dream of a new facility, one that will build a biblical worldview, nurture young minds, and shape future leaders seemed daunting at the outset. Yet, here we are, having just received another miracle…a $250,000 grant—an amount that is nothing short of miraculous.
The Power of Faith and Community
When we embarked on this mission, we did so with faith in God’s plan and confidence in our community’s support. Time and again, we’ve seen how God moves through the hearts of His people, prompting generosity and a shared vision for what this school represents. Each donation, large or small, has been a testament to the power of collective faith and the willingness to invest in the future. This recent grant was the result of a senate fund that was earmarked for projects that were community based. We went through the application process last spring and followed up with several meetings both at Calvary and in the Ohio Statehouse. We are thankful to be 1 of only 5 school in Ohio that received any funding!
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Raising $250,000 is no small feat and we are thankful for the continual miracles that are making this new campus a reality. Our plan is to use the $250,000 to pay for items in the gym including our new gym floor and gym bleachers. But just as importantly, this achievement stands as a reminder that when we place our trust in God, He is faithful to provide!
The Finish Line is Near: $300,000 More to Go
While we rejoice in this accomplishment, our journey is not yet complete. We now turn our focus to the final phase of initial funding for the phase 2 project, raising the remaining $300,000 needed to equip the inside of the building. The kick here is we need to raise this money by the end of December! This timeline is crucial because that's when our invoices for the inside of the building items will be due.
Stepping Out in Faith
As we look ahead, we do so with the same faith that has brought us this far. We believe that God, who has provided for us so abundantly already, will continue to move in the hearts of those who share our vision. Whether through financial contributions, prayers, or spreading the word, there are many ways to be part of this final push!
A Call to Action
We invite you to consider how you might contribute to reaching this final goal. We know this is going to be a campus that transforms the lives of students and families for decades to come. Your support will not only help us complete the physical building but will also play a vital role in shaping the lives of countless students who will walk through its doors.
Let’s continue to trust in God’s provision as we work together to see this dream fully realized. With $300,000 more to raise, we know that with God’s guidance and your support, we will cross the finish line.Thank you for being part of this journey, and for believing in the future we’re building together!
Anyone wishing to donate online can do so here Race to the Finish of Phase 2!
We’d also love to meet with you! Meet with our Development Director Dan Bragg and hear more about this project by emailing dbragg@calvarybellefontaine.org
Posted in
The Christian Education Movement