Crossover Preparatory Academy

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All-Girls School Launches this Fall

by Joanna Shrewsbury

Being invited to lead the inaugural team for the Crossover Prep Girls’ School has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It’s the fulfilment of a desire God began cultivating in me almost a decade ago to work in education with children and families placing Christ at the center. Although I joined Crossover in July 2020, I had been tracking their work for many years through my mother, Linda Shrewsbury. I was living in San Francisco at the time, fully immersed in raising my three young children and unaware I would ever return to Tulsa. I was busy discovering that not only did I love my children, but I also loved all children! I was serving on the leadership team of a co-op of families who did life together. Our purpose was to provide quality preschool programming for our kids, but we also shared meals, helped one another, and entered into each other’s joys and frustrations. I cherished living in an intentional community, but I was constantly aware that what our co-op really needed was Christ. I longed to be part of a community that was family-centered but as a natural extension of being Christ-centered first. When my mom would call, she would often tell me about a new community in Tulsa trying to do just that. She attended Crossover Bible Church and was serving on a board to launch a boys’ school as part of a larger plan to restore north Tulsa. Then through an unexpected journey, the Lord brought me back to Tulsa. And in his great mercy, God allowed a season of loss in my life that has enabled me to say with full confidence that God is able to bring his beauty from ashes. This is an important conviction for me because north Tulsa has a lot of ashes in our past and present. So, I am thankful to know on a truly personal level that even when we lack the vision, God always has a plan for restoration. Since I have joined Crossover Prep, I’ve seen the staff here be the hands and feet of God. When I started, the leadership team sat around our conference table and tried to plan for a school year where none of us knew what to expect. As we made decisions, I observed a steadfast commitment to our students prevail over our fears and uncertainties. When school started in August, I watched the staff stand as a faithful presence living out the life-changing power of Christ through small loving tasks. Staff members formed a band so students could enjoy live music at morning convocation. Teachers spent time reading their favorite books with small groups of students. When the weather was nice, Dr. Lepine rode his bike to school with students in tow. During a year when many kids felt the sting of having their support systems stripped away, Crossover students received an unbroken continuum of care. There was no grand plan or magic solution to get through this year. Instead, through a sea of small acts of love and commitment, our students thrived socially and made academic gains. And for 2020, that’s a big deal! When I watch the young men at Crossover Prep walk into school each morning, I see potential streaming in through the doors. I feel such an urgency to help equip them not only with academic skills but also spiritual truth so they can live fully as Christ intends. And the excitement and anticipation of working with our girls next year fill me with joy! My prayer for all the students God brings to Crossover Prep comes straight from Ephesians 3–I pray that from God’s glorious, unlimited resources he will empower our students with inner strength through his spirit. Then Christ will make his home in their hearts as they trust in him. Their roots will grow down into God’s love and keep them strong. And may they have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May they experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then they will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Eager Students representing for Crossover Prep!

I longed to be part of a community that was family-centered but as a natural extension of being Christ-centered first.

-Joanna S.

Joanna Shrewsbury joined Crossover Prep in July 2020 as a principal-in-residence to prepare for the launch of the Girls’ School in fall 2021. She lives in north Tulsa with her three children Lizzie (12), Michael (9), and Josie (8). Her strength is a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient. The way she loves the people around her reflects God’s great love and care for the world, and it will permeate Crossover’s All Girls’ School.

If you would like to learn more about Crossover Prep Academy, please go to www.crossoverprep.org.

Crossover Scholarship Fund

These students are our future health professionals, social workers, teachers, policy makers, and military men—they are the future of our nation.

We must do more. And with your help we can. If you would like to learn more about the Crossover Scholarship Fund, please go to www. crossoverscholarshipfund.org.