m o u n t a i n
m i s s i o n
CHALLENGER The Newsletter of Mountain Mission School
SPRING 2018
CARE E W W O E: H
FOR
s e g A l l a f o s d i K INSID
20 18 Hom ec omin g • 2 01 7 A nnua l R e p o r t Grundy, VA USA
Serving kids in need in the name of Christ since 1921. mmsKids.org
From Hunger to Hope A Resurrection Story
“B
y the age of ten, I was a thief and an atheist,” says 14-year-old Emmanuel. “Almost every night I had to steal crackers from the pantry just to survive.” Emmanuel’s mother was not well, and for years, for reasons known only to her, she did not feed him, even though she did feed his older sisters. When they could, Emmanuel’s sisters would bring food to him at night. But more often than not, he had to sneak out and steal crackers for himself. Eventually local Social Services discovered the situation, and Emmanuel was removed from the home and placed into the care of his grandmother. “I call Grandma my salvation—first for taking me in, and then for sending me to MMS when her health started to fail,” he says. When Emmanuel arrived at Mountain Mission at age 11, he was still in rough shape. He stole often, he got in fights and arguments, he threatened anyone who would listen, and he even vandalized property. And as he said, he had no belief in God: “I hate to even say it now, but I used to mock my grandmother when she prayed.”
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 3:5-6
On Easter Sunday of his second year, he decided he was ready for a change. He realized that he’d been sinning all the time, and he felt bad about it. “But it felt good that someone would pay the price for my sin.” And so he got baptized. Then he started reading his Bible. “It was talking about trusting in the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding. So I did! I felt a tiny spark. I basically just woke up. And my behavior started getting better.” But not without help. One of his hall parents, Ermias Mekonnen, told him he was willing to help him change, but only if Emmanuel would make the effort to help himself. Throughout the next year, Emmanuel says, every time he would steal or do wrong, Mr. Mekonnen’s words would pop back into his mind. “I got a feeling that God put Mr. Mekonnen in my life to let me know I had a chance if only I would take it!” The transformation in Emmanuel’s life has been obvious to all. Always one to devour books, he now reads his Bible every day and plans to become a minister or a missionary. “The Great Commission inspires me,” he says. “Jesus called tax collectors, fishermen, tentmakers— even the one who He knew would betray him.” And at Mountain Mission School, He called a 12-year-old thief. “MMS has given me a chance to start a better life, a chance to wake up every morning to people who love me.”
Emmanuel strolls from class with math teacher Shawn Taurone.
Come back to Mountain Mission and enjoy being on campus with no assignments, no tests, no homework! This year’s MMS Homecoming celebration promises to be one to remember, serving up an entire weekend packed with activities for all ages. Food, fireworks, athletics, drama, games, worship, fellowship — plus more! Catch up with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a weekend that’s sure to be fun, meaningful, and memorable.
Just $25 covers all meals and event admissions, visit:
mmsKids.org/alumni/homecoming and register today! Scholarships available for those in need. YODIT KIFLE - MMS ‘05
blessing “It’s always an honor and where ce pla to come back to the love and rd Wo d’s Go of ds the see de ma has It . were planted in me .” nce ere diff all the
JON PLATT - MMS ‘93
r life “What’s your song? Is you e? playing the same old tun Let Jesus rewrite it.” Psalm 96:1-3
TENTATIVE HOMECOMING ITINERARY (Schedule and details subject to change.)
F R I D A Y
8:00a
4/20 Normal classes for MMS students
12:30p Lunch
1:00p
Registration in Hurley Hall foyer
2:00p
Breakout into Small Group Workshops led by Alumni
5:00p
KICK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA! • Cookout • Soccer games • Music • Bounce house and dunking booth • Coffee House – coffee, tea, hot cocoa, pastries • Camp Fire with s’mores • Fireworks
S A T U R D A Y
4/21
8:00a Men’s Golf Tournament • “Pay to Play” with the Big Three: Ernie Hertzog, Steve Barnett and Gary Runyon
9:00a
Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast with Yodit Kifle • For Alumni, staff and junior/senior girls
11:00a Brunch
11:30a Registration Gift Shop Coffee House 12:30p Alumni Basketball Game • Half time show o Dunk contest o Class competitions o Mini Me Challenger relay
3:00p
Barter Players present “Call of the Wild”
6:00p
Silent Auction (Baskets donated by local merchants or alumni)
6:30p Banquet - Keynote address by Paul Platt • Honor long-time staff members • Announce winner of treasure chest • Honor alumni who have passed away since last homecoming (candle ceremony) S U N D A Y
4/22
8:45a
Normal breakfast for campus
9:00a
Men’s Prayer Breakfast with Jon Platt • For Alumni, staff and junior/senior boys
10:30a
12:30p Lunch
Worship Service with Ernie Hertzog
2017
ANNUAL REPORT FIGURES What does it cost to efficiently operate a home, school and church for more than 200 children and 50 staff members? These numbers from our most recent annual audit tell the full story. Our total expenses average out to about $15,000 per child per year, an incredibly low amount compared to similar enterprises. And because we accept no government money, we’re always mindful that every dollar we spend in each of these categories comes from generous donors like you. We strive to be good stewards of those resources every day—and thanks to you, we continue to operate debt-free.
EXPENSES
13–14 (14)
14–15 (15)
INSTRUCTION
$797,129.03
$658,347.31
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
$134,536.93
$134,151.43
ADMINISTRATIVE
$961,841.94
$927,479.18
AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES
$640,667.22
$624,637.79
STUDENT SERVICES
$192,610.86
$141,090.08
$1,217,962.03
$1,078,391.78
$3,944,748.01
$3,564,097.57
PHYSICAL PLANT
ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THE ABOVE FIGURES HOME, HEALTH & FOOD
$2,051,240.11
$1,844,119.65
EDUCATION
$931,665.96
$792,498.74
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
$850,667.52
$778,243.99
FUNDRAISING
$111,174.42
$149,235.19
$3,944,748.01
$3,564,097.57
o provide We’re able t utritious n 0 0 0 1, ly r a ne for less meals a day er than $2.00 P Serving.
ginia The State of Vir ge of Spends an Avera ent $11,237 per stud et annually. We g by on $3,796. This covers upkeep on our entire campu s, with a dozen buildings.
15–16 (16)
16–17 (17)
$726,019.14
$754,126.32
$126,103.20
$138,028.71
$976,618.38
$900,291.45
$680,524.15
$633,915.98
$166,189.17
$160,792.99
$1,042,273.22
$1,003,607.29
$3,717,727.26
$3,590,762.74
$1,888,986.54
$1,798,316.26
$852,122.34
$892,155.03
$774,424.40
$746,956.35
$202,193.98
$153,335.10
$3,717,727.26
$3,590,762.74
50% Home, Health, and Food
HOW EACH DOLLAR IS SPENT
25% 21% Education
Institutional Support
4% Fundraising
mmsKids.org
Mountain Mission School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
1760 Edgewater Drive Grundy, VA 24614
A Legacy of Hope As Mountain Mission School approaches its 100th Anniversary in 2021, we are ever mindful of our beloved founder, Sam Hurley – a self-made man who started Mountain Mission School with a simple vision of “reclaiming the child.” Generations later, that vision continues. By including Mountain Mission in your will, your own legacy lives...and makes it possible for more children to live a life filled with faith, hope and love. Will you consider providing a Legacy of Hope by including MMS in your will?
For more information about Planned Giving, please contact: Greg DePriest, Director of Development, at (276) 935-2954 or gdepriest@mmskids.org