Honoring Al Leinbach

Al Leinbach

The Treasured Face of Heritage History

If Heritage Christian School’s history had a face, it surely would be that of the sole individual who has been part of that history from nearly its very beginning. If the school’s history were personified, one man would represent the school’s spiritual, academic and athletic impact over many generations.

But if you ask Al Leinbach, his role in the Heritage narrative simply has been one of a participant and a witness to God’s provision and blessing over the past 56 years. His life’s work has been to pour into the lives of the nearly 4,000 students who have graduated from here.

Interestingly, education was not a path that Leinbach would have chosen. The son of a pastor/street preacher, he initially pursued his interest in medical missions. But in his sophomore year at Indiana University, he left his pre-medical studies and transferred to Columbia Bible College. It was a life-changing experience. On a summer mission trip to Colombia, South America, Leinbach established a relationship with Wycliffe Bible Translators and discovered a latent interest in linguistics.

He planned to work as a missionary for the organization after his college graduation in 1966. He and his fiancée, Donna, made preparations for summer linguistics training and future missionary work with Wycliffe.

In the meantime, Leinbach sought income through temporary work. A friend told him about a new Christian school that had just formed on Indianapolis’ northeast side. Leinbach applied for a teaching job at Heritage in April of 1966. On a day in late May, he and his bride-to-be had their bags packed, ready to leave for Oklahoma for linguistics training with Wycliffe.

Coming to Heritage was not by my design. It was specifically by God’s design. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, I knew that God had led me here.

That very morning, Kye Harris, the school’s first administrator, called to set up a job interview. The men met that afternoon at a location in the then-remote Castleton area, on Indianapolis’ northeast side. The Leinbachs left for Oklahoma immediately following the interview. On July 7 (which just so happens to be Leinbach’s birthday), Harris called to extend Leinbach an offer for a teaching position. He needed an immediate answer. The couple talked it over and decided to return to Indianapolis in August to take the job. “Coming to Heritage was not by my design,” explains Leinbach. “It was specifically by God’s design. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, I knew that God had led me here.”

Leinbach attended in-service teacher training at Heritage at the end of August 1966. The training concluded on a Friday. The couple married the following day and Leinbach began teaching when school opened its doors at Victory Baptist Church on the following Wednesday. He taught 7th grade Geography, 8th grade American History, World History, Physical Education and Health.

In the absence of a sports program, Leinbach pioneered and coached the school’s basketball team that same year. It was a crazy, busy time of transition for the newlywed couple. But, says Leinbach, “by the end of that first year, I knew that God had changed my mission field, my direction and my heart toward teens.”

Leinbach was himself surprised by the joy he discovered in teaching. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Middle School and High School students,” he says. “I loved engaging the students spiritually, and even socially. We were learning to have a lot of fun while we were trying to learn.”

Leinbach has attended every commencement, except one, due to extenuating circumstances. He has seen his own children graduate from the school (Ed in 1990; Jodi in 1992; and Lori in 1994). One of his six grandchildren is a current Heritage student. This year, Leinbach will be part of graduation ceremonies for Heritage’s 55th graduating class.

He takes pride in Heritage alumni because, he says, “they are a great part of what we want to accomplish here. In the years after their graduation from high school, it’s exciting to see the outgrowth of their commitment to Christ.” Leinbach says that he felt privileged to assume his current role as Alumni Relations Coordinator in 2007. He attends class reunions, weddings, funerals and other big events in the lives of graduates. Facebook has given him a venue for regular communication with alumni. On graduate’s birthday, he sends each of them a greeting and devotional thought via social media or email. Remarkably, he remembers details and graduation years for many of these former students, just off the top of his head.

Sure, some things have changed since those early days of the school’s beginnings. Buildings have been constructed, programs have been established and grown, the student body has grown in size. But the fundamental values upon which the school was created, says Leinbach, have never wavered. “We stand on the shoulders of the men and families who founded Heritage Christian School,” he explains. “Even though it wasn’t written down at first, our mission always has been, and always will be, to glorify God through the discipleship of our students and the pursuit of excellence in education, with Bible as our foundation and Jesus Christ as our focus.”

Al Leinbach: For 56 years, he has served in faculty and leadership roles at Heritage Christian School. His faith and ministry have influenced generations of students and their families.

Studio Thirteen Photography