​Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it?  Is. 43:19

Our theme for this school year has been “Moving Forward.” This was ideal since we celebrated our 30th  anniversary last school year and we discovered that the number 30 in scripture represented beginning and devotion. For the past 30 years, MVCA has been devoted to providing quality Christ-centered education to thousands of families. Moving Forward, we are committed to continuing our mission and ministry with the same devotion, commitment, and compassion.

With the beginning of a new year, there is always something new on the horizon. In the above passage of scripture from the book of Isaiah, God is telling us that He is going to do something new. We don’t know what it will be, but it will be good, because every good thing comes from above, and it will happen. But God asks us if our eyes are going to be open to seeing it? That is the thing about moving forward, your eyes have to be open, and we have to be moving and aware of the things happening around us. There is always something better waiting for us, we just have to look forward, and stop dwelling on the past. What we need to remember is that what happened yesterday is done and gone and we can’t do anything about it. We live in the present, and we have hope for the future. The apostle Paul shared this with the Philippian Church, but it is also true for us today.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” Phil. 3:13

Moving forward is an active process. We do not wait for the right moment, we take the moments that God presents and we use them for His glory. The apostles were never called to wait once the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Holy Spirit is always moving forward, and MVCA will continue to move forward, producing well-adjusted, morally sound individuals equipped to transform society.

As we reflect, but not dwell, on the past year, we see how we have been moving forward with the renovations of the kitchen and the boys restroom. We see the five modular units moving forward to where they will become a pod of additional classrooms. And, we look to the future with great hope and anticipation for a new school building that will house all K-12 students, and allow for future growth.

We invite you to “Move Forward” with us, and ask that you continue to share your MVCA Difference story with others who you feel would benefit from a Christ-centered, Biblically based education.

Have a Blessed and Joyful 2023!

The ninth chapter of the book of Isaiah gives great hope for anyone who chooses to accept the record of the birth of Jesus. The names He will be called sheds a lot of light on what He will do for those who choose to accept Him. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

The Prince of Peace. That one attribute title of Jesus is what really gets me thinking. I like the idea of peace. I can imagine we all like the idea of peace. I like being in the midst of peace. A peaceful setting with peace and quiet. Sitting in the mountains looking over a lake or stream. Listening to the birds sing, the wind blowing softly through the pines. Breathing in the clean, fresh air. To me that is peace. Now, I understand peace can be seen in different ways by different people, but the results of peace are the same for all.

Jesus coming as the Prince of Peace was never meant to be the end of wars and conflicts, which is quite evident as I write this and ponder the increase in violence in our society and the ongoing war overseas. I believe that Jesus coming as the Prince of Peace was to bring an end of the hostility between man and God, and man and himself. The birth of Jesus ushered in a new hope, a reconciliation between Man and God. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The result of this inner peace leads to more love and compassion, more serving our friends and neighbors, more trusting, more civil conversations with people who may not share our beliefs and values, and the ability to be who God has called us to be. We can, and should ray for world peace, but I believe we have to find inner peace before we can have outer peace.

When we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we celebrate the peace that came with that birth. The inner peace we all desire to have in our lives. Jesus promised that we can have that type of peace if we follow Him. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

This Christmas my prayer for you is that you know the Prince of Peace. That you grow in your relationship with Him, and you truly feel the inner peace that you can have through Him on this "Most wonderful time of the year."

MERRY CHRITMAS, AND GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!