Growing Futures One Seed at a Time
The Legacy of a Grandparent
Sowing: Modeling a life devoted to Christ
Like the Apostle Paul, who urged others to imitate him as he imitated Christ, grandparents have a powerful opportunity to model a life devoted to Christ.
Grandparents are uniquely positioned to provide added spiritual guidance by modeling Christ-like character, such as faith, patience, hope, and joy, even in difficulties. Their consistent godly living supports and reinforces parental teaching and demonstrates the abundant life found in Christ. By intentionally demonstrating godly devotion through actions and attitudes, grandparents plant seeds of faith in the hearts of their grandchildren, showing them what it means to follow Christ authentically.
Grandparents become living embodiments of 1 Corinthians 11:1 in ways that are both profound and beautifully ordinary. In the classic Sunday School song, “Be careful
little eyes what you see,” the lyricist calls the believer to tread carefully on the path of righteousness as little eyes are taking in actions and character beyond words alone.
Research has shown that grandparents can have a profound effect on key aspects of their grandchildren’s development. This includes cognitive and verbal abilities, mental health, and overall well-being.
Grandchildren (and their friends) benefit tremendously by having a consistent and compassionate adult who provides invaluable emotional, social, and cognitive support that enriches their lives.
They plant with hope, knowing they may not always see the harvest, but trusting that seeds sown in love, and in faithful imitation of Christ, have a way of finding light in the most unexpected seasons.
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Watering: The Gift of Unhurried Time
If sowing represents the initial planting of faith’s seeds, then watering is the steady, consistent cultivation that helps those seeds take root and flourish. For grandparents, this watering often takes the form of their most precious commodity—time—freely poured out in service to the next generation.
You Don’t Retire, You Refire: The Legacy of Bob and Peg Johnson
Bob and Peg Johnson, longtime champions of Maranatha Christian Academy, have left a lasting impact on Maranatha that’s still felt to this day. From their hand-making the original basketball uniforms in the ‘90s to launching the school’s first parent partnership committee, Bob and Peg helped lay the foundation that Maranatha’s still building off of today.
“We’re from the beginning,” Peg began when we had the chance to sit down and catch up with the Johnsons this summer. “When MCA came into existence [...] we were there.”
running, but also in helping make the school feel warm and inviting.
“I did the stage curtains,” Peg smiled, “I did the banners in all the hallways, I did the homecoming robes (which are still used today!), I did all of the table coverings.”
Bob and Peg were pivotal in setting up MCA not just in terms of getting certain committees up and
Back then, if no one stepped up to volunteer, those extra touches simply didn’t happen.
“It was a lot of parent hands on,” they both laughed.
One thing that pushed Bob and Peg into being so all-in at Maranatha was when they brought up the need for more parent involvement. “Well,” they were told, “if you suggest it, you have to do it. If you’re gonna talk about a problem, then you have
to be a part of the solution.” That mindset energized the Johnsons and paved the way for other school groups to emerge.
In life, we often have to make big decisions around things like what career path to take, where to live, and more, that then ends up impacting the thing after that—and the decision of choosing where to send our cherished kids to school is perhaps the biggest decision of all!
The truth is that much of a child’s thought process, intellect, and social skills are formed during their school years. Bob and Peg recognized this and chose to put their kids through MCA, where they’d be daily surrounded by what was dearest to their hearts: Jesus.
“We wanted our kids,” Peg paused, “because we were first-generation believers—wanted our kids to have a base foundation of the Word of God.” Even though this meant long commutes to and from Maranatha, the Johnsons wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Since beginning their involvement at MCA that started many years ago now, two more generations of Johnsons have walked these halls. Bob and Peg’s eldest son, Robbie, graduated in 1998, and their second son, Jamie, graduated in 2002. Robbie’s daughter,
Tori, then graduated in 2017, and son, Logan, in 2021. Although not at MCA, Jamie’s two daughters currently attend a private school in Florida, where he wants them to receive the same values he did from growing up at MCA.
Reflecting on all that MCA has meant to their family throughout the years, Bob and Peg are so grateful for the support system that MCA was in lifting them up and being there for them through some tough times. “Maranatha was truly a godsend for us.”
To the Johnsons, MCA was a place of genuine connection, purpose, and sanctuary.
Today, Bob and Peg live in sunny Florida, where they continue to advocate for Christian education and educational reform. Although Bob and Peg may have “retired,” they haven’t stopped investing in the next generation—in fact, they’re just getting started! As Peg says, “You don’t retire, you refire!”
Reaping: Giving so the Next Generation has Access to Excellent Christian Education
You have prepared your living will, but have you considered your lasting will?
You’ve carefully prepared your living will, thoughtfully considering how your wishes should be honored in your final days. But have you considered your lasting will—the legacy that will continue to bear fruit for generations to come? For grandparents who have spent years sowing seeds of faith and watering them through faithful presence, the reaping season offers a profound opportunity to ensure that excellent, Christ-centered education remains within reach for generations to come.
Consider the mathematics of spiritual legacy: a grandparent who establishes an educational fund doesn’t just impact one grandchild’s elementary years, but potentially influences that child’s entire worldview, their future spouse’s perspective, their parenting philosophy, and ultimately their own children’s spiritual foundation. The return on investment isn’t calculated in percentages, but in souls shaped, values transmitted, and faith strengthened.
Today, we invite you to contribute to the Maranatha Fundm, a sacred investment in the future of our school. Your gift, whether modest or substantial, joins with others to create a margin of excellence that guarantees our school can continue providing transformative, Christ-centered education for generations to come.
When you donate to the Maranatha Fund; you’re not simply giving money, you are extending your spiritual influence far beyond your lifetime. You are ensuring that the biblical truths you hold dear will be taught with excellence and passion. You are making it possible for children, perhaps your own grandchildren and their peers, to develop a robust Christian worldview in an increasingly secular culture.
Will you prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to contribute to this lasting legacy? Your gift today plants seeds that will continue to bear fruit that will outlive us all.
To make a contribution to the Maranatha Fund, please complete the enclosed envelope and return it along with your scripture card (see insert). Thank you for investing not just in education but in eternity.
For questions or more information you can email give@mcamustangs.org or call 763-488-7929.
October 20 Lower School Grandparents Day Chapel (8:15-9:45 a.m.)
November 11 Veteran’s Day Chapel (HS: 11 a.m., MS: 2:30 p.m.)
December 18 HS Christmas Concert (6 p.m.)
December 19 LS Christmas Concert (8:30 a.m.) MS Christmas Concert (2 p.m.)
April 18 Gala Fundraiser (5-8:30 p.m.)
May 15 Experience Maranatha! (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)
May 28 Pre-K Celebration (6 p.m.) Kindergarten Graduation (7 p.m.)
May 29 HS Commencement (6 p.m.)