Jesse Long Memorial Issue

y r o t is H n O k r a AM With gratitude to God for His servant, Jesse Long 1932-2014

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A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

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Leader 4

In their later years, many people retire or

his GAC office every day he could – and oh yes – every Spartan

find other interests they love. Not Jesse.

athletic contest possible.

Though he came to a point in 1996 when he informed the GAC Board of Trustees

He was patient with me when I didn’t deserve it, and offered

he would be stepping aside soon, it wasn’t

wise advice, but careful to do so only when asked. He tried to

for a rocking chair. His commitment

teach me, as he’d say in difficult moments or crises, to just “do

to Christian education still burned

the right thing.” That was Jesse.

brightly. He was just giving a young guy (that’s me) a chance to learn to lead with training wheels. Ride on his

His timely one-liners broke up many unnecessarily

coattails, as they say.

serious discussions in just the right way. In

W

moments of trying decisions or great victories, he hile Chancellor Long’s (1998-

reminded me who was King (and it wasn’t either

2014) role changed in his later

of us).

years, he continued to serve with

the same approachable dignity, gentle spirit,

A couple of times recently, Jesse and I talked

and kindness of his early days. I suppose those

about leading Greater Atlanta Christian for the

qualities were who he was to the core. He still

Lord, and why He’d placed us in our roles. With

attended Board of Trustees meetings, came to

his typical humility, Jesse gave me credit for

1961

1964

Incorporation of Greater Atlanta Christian School

Land purchased on Indian Trail Road

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

Humor remained sharp even when illness impaired his body.

1963

1968

Jesse Long appointed President

Classes began at GAC

accomplishments I didn’t deserve.

Like each of us, Jesse was built to count.

But he made for me a poignant

Not only chosen, but ready to live out his

statement. “Looking back,” Jesse

calling and all that went with it.

said, “God raised me up with the skills and heart to help start GAC.

All of Atlanta, along with tens of thousands

But David, you couldn’t have done

of children, and now hundreds of

what I did. Then when your time

thousands of extended families throughout

came, you took GAC places I never

the world are better because Jesse was

could have. We were each chosen for

chosen for a season. The kingdom of God is better because

a season.”

Jesse was chosen.

Chosen for a season – I suspect that’s true for each of us, if

We will miss you, Jesse. I’m still just riding your coattails.

we’re ready for what it means. Our personal agenda fades

Lots of us are. And we are thankful to have had the chance.

to the background, and God’s call takes center stage. In his book Divine Conspiracy, Christian philosopher Dallas Willard advised us that we are “built to count, as water is

Dr. David Fincher GAC President

“The story of GACS is the story of a group of Christian people who had heard of the value of Christian education.

They could hardly believe that they could build a school that was truly Christian and also capable of competing academically as well as in extracurricular activities.”

– Jesse Long

made to run downhill. We are placed in a specific context to count in ways no one else does. That is our destiny.”

1970

1972

1986

GAC’s First Graduating Class

Bradford Gymnasium completed

SACS Accreditation; Zenobia Tye Liles Media Center completed

1970

1988

GAC wins first State Championship (Boys Basketball coached by Jackie Bradford)

Junior High Building completed

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

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Friend

In 1947 in Canton, OH, a dedicated mother with a desire for her two young sons to receive an education with a Christian foundation packed up and moved to Valdosta, GA. She enrolled sons Jesse Long (15) and Bill Long (13) in Dasher Bible School. This was the beginning of God’s plan for Jesse Long to become His person for Christian education that has now reached thousands of students and has made a mark on the world.

I

first met Jesse in the early 60s at a GAC fundraising event, but our friendship really began at the GAC state basketball tournament in Macon in March 1972. My wife Becky and Jackie Long were chaperones for the cheerleading squad and Jesse and I visited and played golf.

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The Campus Church of Christ had opened in February that year and the Longs invited us as guests to “Friends Day” in March. Our home church in Cascade Heights had moved to South Fulton County and we began a move toward Norcross, GA. A new church home and new friends became the highlight of our 1972.

From that year, Jesse and I became best friends, visiting over a dozen foreign countries together – many in Communist areas – distributing Bibles and holding Bible studies, which were illegal in those days. We also traveled to churches all over Atlanta and outlying areas for fundraising events beginning in 1977. In those days we often struggled with expenses exceeding our income, even taking

1989

1996

GAC named a National School of Excellence

Long Administration Building completed

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

1994

1997

Bible Building completed

Early Childhood Village completed; Spartan Stadium completed

on two new schools in South Atlanta and helping them get on more solid ground.

We were able to pass those schools on to other leaders. School growth was made possible by the selling of 100 acres on Indian Trail across from the school buildings. While seeming unwise at the time, I can’t help but think it was God’s plan. Today, both of those South Atlanta schools are still in existence and GAC is stronger financially than at any time in her 50-year history.

Jesse was the primary instrument in our growth from a two-building campus in 1968 to twenty-three buildings today. It’s been said that GAC is one of the largest private Christian schools in the U.S. with approximately 1,800 students and 80 acres of land.

Jesse began his activities in Christian education as a 15-year-old teenager and continued with dedication for over 65 years to create a legacy that will seldom, if ever, be repeated. Jesse was a true giant in the growth and development of Christian education – a true giant in church growth and in the Lord’s Kingdom. I will miss him and will always remember and cherish our long, close friendship.

Thank you, God, for that time together and for Jesse Long, my best friend.

Jim Combee Chairman, GAC Board of Trustees

“The story of GACS is truly the story of God taking a group of ordinary people with not much more than a dream and using them to build a house more wonderful than their dreams.”

– Jesse Long

1998

2003

Jesse Long named Chancellor; David Fincher appointed President

Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex completed; Student Family Center completed

1999 GAC’s Elementary School named a National School of Excellence; Sara D. Williams Fine Arts Center completed

2006 Senior High Complex renovated A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

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Father

I

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t was the spring of 1974 when Jerry and Peggy Porter

was a little longer than

suggested that Jesse travel to Jackson, Mississippi to

what the school policy

visit a young widow and her two boys. I have a letter

allows” (hey it was

that Jesse wrote me later that summer in which he

1974!), but he didn’t see

told me about his feelings for my mom, and his hopes that our

this being a big obstacle

families could be united.

to overcome.

The letter reads in part “I know that it is sometimes difficult

Some of the greatest memories of my life

for a 42 year old and a 13 year old to communicate, but I think

happened between the age of 13 and 18 when we lived in

you and I can bridge the gap. I want you to know that if your

the house on the hill across the street from GAC. I can only

mother and I are married, I will expect to love you and treat you

imagine the prayers offered by Jesse and mom, and the

and Marc as my own sons. I do not expect to try and take your

patience and wisdom granted to them that allowed God to

dad’s place, as I know that your relationship with him is one

blend the seven of us into a healthy, functioning family almost

that was dear to you. Please know that I am your friend, that

from the beginning. To Marc and me, it was fun to gain Jess as

I care for you, and I look forward to helping you be the kind of

a big brother, so worthy for us to look up to and follow; also a

man that your dad would be proud of.” He went on in the letter

great new friend/brother in Mark, and Gay, a beautiful sister

to tell me about GAC, what great basketball teams they had,

who graciously accepted two more “little brothers.” Peggy

the great friends I would make, and what fun it would be to go

Porter started calling us the O’Longs (O’Briens + Longs). I

to school there … and a short section telling me that my “hair

not only enjoyed attending GAC, where I have truly made

2007

2010 - 2015

Freeman Aquatic Center completed

GAC named an Apple Distinguished School

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

2009

2013

Long Forum completed

GACS 1500 Center completed

lifelong friends, but Jesse fulfilled his promise to love me like

buildings and sweeping the sidewalks. He considered every

his own son and become my dear friend. When each of us left

child who entered the school one of “his kids” and prayed for

for college he said “Do right and pay the price.”

them, and cheered them toward excellence in every activity.

He loved GAC plays and chorus performances and he loved

We’ve had a closeness and a fellowship for 40 years that made

GAC athletics.

me want to be like him. Spending so much time with Jesse has made me want to have his faith in God, share his values, and

Jesse Long, whom I am proud to call my dad, is alive. He is

try to mirror the way he loved and treated people.

with Jesus. It is just like David said in II Samuel chapter 12 when he had prayed so hard for his

I remember many times over the years

son, but God took him anyway, “I

driving around the state of Georgia with

will go to him one day, but he will not

Jesse and he would tell us stories about

return to me.”

people who helped him start and build the school. We might be in Rome for a

I want to thank God publicly for

state tournament and he would point

allowing me to have Jesse as my

to a building and say, ”That used to be a

father for 40 years, knowing that

church, and in 1968 I met with 100 people

he was a father-figure to hundreds

in there and they gave me $5,800 because

of others through the years. How

they believed we needed a Christian school in Georgia.”

different my life (and so many others) would be if there

Passing through numerous small towns on the way to St.

were no Jesse Long, no GAC. We might not live in the same

Simons Island, he told me about people in each town who had

city, have the same spouse, have the same job, have the

donated land or given money to help him establish GAC. He

same friends, attend the same church, and

always remembered fondly some who pledged $5 a month

share in all the many blessings we have

and prayed for the school.

received from God through what he did

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“God raised up leaders, donors, teachers, parents, and students … He gave them a dream, a vision of what it would take, and showed them how to work together to make it happen.”

– Jesse Long

through Jesse. ou could tell by the way he talked about these folks that he loved and appreciated every one

Jesse…THANK YOU for the sacrifices you

of them. He loved every person that worked

made for me, my mother, my brothers and

side by side with him to build this school with

sister, and what you have done for so many

their blood, sweat, tears, money, and prayers. Jesse loved

others. We love you with all our hearts and

many things. He loved God, his family, God’s beautiful

look forward to being with you someday

creation, Campus Church – which he started with a small

for the rest of eternity.

group of dedicated brothers and sisters in 1972, and where he preached for 16 years. He loved God’s word, playing golf, he

Your loving son,

loved helping with his own hands to build some of GAC’s first

Ned O’Brien A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

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“Jesse greatly influenced my life. He inspired students to be focused, to be visionaries, and to do all things with excellence. But above all, he wanted his students to live for the Lord.” — Terry Davis (GAC Class of 1989)

“As a student and an athlete, Jesse was one of my biggest supporters. You always knew he was rooting for your success. Looking back now as a GAC parent, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Jesse’s vision, commitment and perseverance to create a school of excellence based on Christian principles.” — Janna (Stringer) Jenkins (GAC Class of 1982) 10

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

“Throughout my life, Mr. Jesse has been an extraordinary example of what it means to be a Christian man, leader, and friend. He had a gift for making everyone he met feel special and appreciated.”

— Blake Harper (GAC Class of 2009)

1961: That was the starting point for GAC’s early pioneers who believed Atlanta needed remarkable, faith-filled education. They worked to that end, with scant resources and against all odds.

Thanks to God, they had more on their side than human odds could offer.

All that effort was underway 50 years ago…planning, praying, and sacrificing for a Christian school to come to life. And in 1968, it did just that. Though they couldn’t have pictured the work of GAC and the thousands of lives that would be impacted by 2014, they knew God would do great things if He was King of their efforts.

The torch is being passed – to you and me. There’s vital work to be done, and looming challenges are just ahead. In the 20-teens and beyond, Christian education and excellence are being challenged in news ways. Issues and risks rock the world of our children and families like never before, ranging from poor learning to global unrest to waning values.

Yet, with God’s help, and with new servants who stand in the gap, GAC will be training young men and women to reshape their world, their work, their families, churches, and communities. GAC students and alumni will be building a better world, making things right because they are learning; they are being prepared for a purpose. His purpose.

So are you ready to take the torch for the next 50 years? If not you, then who? I challenge you to live a life of volunteering, sacrificing, support, prayer, and service to impact faith and youth for the next 50 years.

If you would like to know how you can help shape GAC for the next 50 years, contact Katherine White, Vice President of Development at kwhite@greateratlantachristian.org.

A Mark on History | Remembering Jesse Long

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