Some of you are not old enough to remember the TV show called “The Waltons” about a family making do through the Great Depression, but I grew up a big fan of the show's early seasons, and I’ve long admired it’s creator, Earl Hamner Jr., whose voice narrated each episode (through the written journals of “John Boy," played by Richard Thomas).
In many ways, the show reminded me and my siblings of our own family “making do” through hard times as we built our home deep in some wooded acres in “the thumb” of Michigan. This was especially true for my mother who had grown up living in a three-generation household with her grandparents.
When I went off to college in 1974, this reading was on the Walton’s Christmas album. The words of Grandpa’s Christmas Wish came to me as I shot this video footage on the last day of school before Christmas Vacation. Heavy lake-effect snow decorated the outside while classes reveled inside. It was a beautiful day!
The full reading by Will Geer can be found at this link:
I
still remember arriving at Calvary Christian Schools in July of 2000. My wife and I
had served at a very similar ACSI school in Iowa for 18 years when I
accepted this position. These 23 years have been a blessing, and
they’ve gone by so fast that I sometimes forget that many of our
new families may not know the amazing story of Calvary Christian
Schools.
I firmly believe that knowing our story will bring joy to our giving this Christmas because it is an incredible gift to be a part of Calvary.
Ours is an incredible story. For instance...
Did
you know that, for our first 20 years, CCS was located right next
door to the old
The original CCS building on Clinton Street in Muskegon
Hackley Hospital in Muskegon (now the site of the
new Middle School)? The CCS Fruitport campus was completed in1999.
This building was one of the largest new construction projects in
the county. (The Lakes Mall came a couple years later along with
restaurants, banks, businesses. Soon after our move to Kendra Road,
more than 500 new residential addresses came to our neighborhood.
1998-99 Yearbook cover..
Did
you know that the original investment in the land purchase, clearing
/ excavation, sewer/water/utilities, construction and landscaping
was a nine million dollar commitment taken on by the
former host church? A school our size could never have made such an
investment. In the years to follow, the largest church in Muskegon
County met in our gymnasium (three services each Sunday for many
years). During those same ten years, that congregation paid down the
original mortgage balance to 3.5 million dollars. That’s amazing,
and had it not happened, CCS would not exist as we know it today.
Did
you know that in 2012, CCS became a Michigan non-profit and
independent 501(c)(3) governed by a board rather than a host church? That same year, Calvary Church relocated, and the school was temporarily displaced. Then in August the mortgage-holding bank allowed CCS to return and occupy the building for one year while the bank attempted to sell it.
Did
you know that, upon moving back into this building, the school budget
took on full responsibility of all utilities, inspections,
maintenance, and mortgage payments. This was more than $250,000
above tuition income and any previous budget. We sometimes refer to that year as a “loaves
and fishes” miracle because of how God provided through donors. (Our 501(c)(3) status means all donor gifts are tax deductible.)
Did
you know that the bank was so impressed with our ability to meet our
obligations while taking great care of their asset that they renewed
the lease for the 2013-2014 school year. It was announced at
Commencement, and many people wept for joy.
Did
you know that in 2014, after two years as renters, the bank
graciously applied every dollar we had paid them (including all
other building-related expenses ) to a negotiated purchase price
that was below half of the building’s appraised value. Ever since,
we have "owned" this building (with the help of a mortgage).
Did
you know that since 2012, the mortgage obligation has been paid down
a million dollars? Even so, our monthly payment on the
2.24M balance is over $15,000. While that is an
enormous commitment, our loan history is excellent and our
debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is about .33.
Did
you know that when we add in the cost of heating, cooling,
maintenance, inspections, trash removal, snow removal, insurance,
etc. to our mortgage payment, all building-related costs come to
over $324,000 / year. This does not include any salaries.
Did
you know that within a few years of 2012, God began using three
things to help lower the formidable costs of running an independent
faith-based school: First and foremost, a growing group of CCS
donors who want the mission of CCS to continue; second, a lease with
a wonderful local church that uses some office space and the
building on weekends; and third, our teachers who are qualified and
certified with servant’s hearts (some of whom are also contracted
in a share-time program that substantially assists that portion of
the CCS budget.
Did
you know that while also absorbing the overhead costs of this fine campus and
facility, CCS has also provided more and more families with
need-based financial assistance?. This ensures that CCS never
becomes a school only for those who can fully afford private
education. This assistance helps dozens of families who could
otherwise not share this wonderful journey with us. Providing this
help is a scriptural principle responsibly applied.
Did
you know that the need-based assistance CCS offers is unfunded?
Some people think that because FACTS processes the applications that the actual dollars awarded to
qualifying applicants are provided by FACTS or some other source. No.
There is always a strong correlation between each year’s GAP fund
(annual appeal for needed donor gifts) and the amount of need-based aid
awarded. CCS donors share the value of keeping CCS available to all
applicants who know both the cost and value of Christian education.
(Even so, unfunded financial
assistance never goes below half of the published tuition rate, and
families of all income levels are asked to help close the GAP.)
Thank
you for taking the time to read this short history of CCS. Now you know why we share
our need each year and why so many people in our community consider
CCS worthy of their support as this “loaves and fishes” story continues to unfold.
Now you know how such
a relatively small school (currently 243 in Pre-K through 12th
grade) enjoys such a fine campus and building while constantly
“learning to lean” on the Lord each year. It’s because CCS is a
family of believers, educators, and donors who
believe “learning to lean” is the first step in Christian
education. Thank each of you for doing your part.
