“Passionately pursuing Christ by providing families with a Christ-centered education” is the mission statement of Baptist Christian School. As a ministry of First Baptist Church, our mission statement falls under the overall ministry mission statement which reads,  “We are a church family passionately pursuing the knowledge of Christ, the love of Christ, and the proclamation of Christ, for the glory and pleasure of God.”

So how does our school mission statement show itself in our school ministry? Recently our teaching staff discussed this very question and they came up with specific examples of how we live out our mission.

Our mission statement is what we do all day long! It is reflected in all aspects of our teaching, as Christ is central in all we do. The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:18 that “He (Christ) is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” In our entire curriculum, Christ is central. Everything that is taught and all extra-curricular activities are done from a biblical, Christ-centered perspective.

Christ is central in our training of students in “real life” situations which is seen in the way we disciple and discipline. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Sometimes encouragement is what is needed. Sometimes correction is necessary. A relevant question can always be asked, “What would Jesus do?”

Our staff is passionate about Christ. Our faculty and staff model Christ both in the classroom as well as when they are not in school. All are actively involved in church ministry. They also model what “family” really is as they care for each student and regularly pray for our students and their families.

We see our mission statement lived out when we see Christ-like actions among our students. It is a blessing to see students sharing their faith on field trips and at local outreach events. It is a blessing to see students sacrifice to provide for the needs of others. It is a blessing to hear of graduates who are serving Christ, many in full-time ministry and many more in leadership positions in their local church. That is what it really is all about … passionately pursuing Christ!

At a recent staff meeting I posed a question to our teaching staff. I asked them, “What makes Baptist Christian School philosophically unique?” In just a short amount of time the staff came up with a great list that explains what BCS is all about from a philosophical viewpoint (vs. program, activities, etc. that we offer).

Christian education is not merely religious instruction in the midst of otherwise secular subjects. It is not simply having Bible class, student and teacher prayer, or teachers who are Christians. It is not just freedom from evil influences or better academic results that constitute Christian education. It is much more than that!

Baptist Christian School starts with God’s Word as both its standard and final authority. In fact the Bible, which is both inspired and inerrant, serves as the basis for our philosophy. We unashamedly believe, teach and practice a literal interpretation of God’s Word. That means that we look at all issues of life through the lens of Scripture. If the Bible says it, then it is true! For example, this begins with a literal view of the Creation account which includes the definition of marriage as a lifelong, faithful union between one man and one woman.

Baptist Christian School is Christ-centered. That flows right out of our mission statement: “Passionately pursuing Christ by providing families with a Christ-centered education.” This permeates all aspects of BCS, but is especially evident in our biblically integrated curriculum. All truth is God’s truth and therefore all that is taught brings glory to Christ. Jesus taught us in the “Great Commission” to go, make disciples, and then instruct the new disciples to follow His commandments. That is what we desire to accomplish at BCS. Each student will hear the gospel message. Each student will be taught the commandments of Jesus. Each student will be taught to go and tell others the gospel message.

Baptist Christian School partners with families. Scripture is clear that it is the parent’s responsibility to train (educate) their children in a way that is clearly biblical and God honoring. Ideally, we provide a Christian education to students who are from Christian families who desire their children to be educated based on a biblical worldview. We are committed to fostering both a high academic standard as well as teaching biblical values, thus facilitating academic and spiritual growth.

Our faculty and staff all give testimony of placing their trust in Christ alone for salvation. Being a ministry of First Baptist Church means that the faculty and staff share a unity in doctrine and fellowship. Our teachers view their role as a calling to ministry, and not just a job. There is a genuine camaraderie amongst our staff which is reflected in the way they nurture the students who are entrusted to them. Even though we are a ministry of First Baptist Church, we have students from over 30 different area churches represented in our student body.

Baptist Christian School is a safe place. Safe physically, safe emotionally and safe spiritually. In other words, BCS fosters a protected environment … in a good sense. This is due to the biblical values that we operate under and live by. The Scripture teaches us that by nature we are sinners, yet also tells us that when one is redeemed by Christ they receive a new nature. The Scripture is also clear that the believer battles with the flesh – the struggle with doing what pleases God versus serving ourselves (sin). Realizing this, our system of instruction and training is built upon the goal of each student becoming Christ-like in all areas of their life. Our expectation is that students will live by the biblical standard.