2022 Grandparent Day at MVCA

MVCA Grands, What a pleasure it is to welcome each of you to campus! We are thankful for you and want you to know we feel your prayers of support and covering over our efforts on a daily basis. MVCA is strong and thriving because of folks like you that set aside time to lift up this ministry in prayer and keep constant intercession on our behalf.

Dr. Greg Beasley Head of School 2015 - present

MVCA was founded by praying grandparents. This group of prayer warriors gained courage and wisdom to begin the work that we are cultivating today. For 26 years God has given us the strength and direction to preserve the 4 pillars the Academy is built on—those pillars being --Faith, Academics, Athletics, and Fine Arts. These are the keystones of every MVCA education. For the last 7 years, our MVCA Family has enjoyed the benefits of stronger enrollment and a stronger financial position. For such a time as this, God is blessing us with continued growth and expansion for our future. I would like ask you to continue to pray over MVCA for the coming years as we prepare to initiate growth and expansion plans.

Scripture depicts Jesus repeatedly teaching that God expects us to use what He gives us to grow His Kingdom, and that He will reward those who do so.

Matt 5:21 Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.

One blessing Jesus is clearly giving MVCA is an ever-increasing collection of faithful families who want to join our community. This is encouraging to us, because growth is critical for maintaining a thriving educational experience. It will increase the quality of Academics, Athletics and Fine Arts with more student athletes and performers. In addition, a larger student body gives us a broader and stronger tuition base, thereby ensuring our future independence and sustainability. We believe no family should have to choose between a Christ-centered education, and a superior academic, fine arts, and athletic experience that is affordable, and wisely pursuing growth is the path to get there.

We are committed to expansion with careful planning and dedicated prayer, and we are certain that God will lead us on the right path. We have recently purchased surrounding properties to give us flexibility for an expansion plan. These plans include new classrooms, expanded high school gym facilities, an updated Fine Arts staging, lights and preparation spaces in Founders Hall, and an enhanced spiritual life experience---just to name a few. It will take the next couple of years to follow through on these plans, but we couldn’t be more excited about where we believe God is leading us– towards an even stronger MVCA. I encourage you to set aside time to pray over our efforts as we seek to walk in His great commission for His ministry and all that He desires to do through MVCA. God Bless you and God Bless MVCA.

FORTIFYING THE 4 PILLARS Initiatives for a Stronger Future for MVCA:

Enhanced spiritual life experience

Additional state-of-the-art classrooms

Expanded gym with added seating

Improved chapel worship facilities

Added courses for broader electives

Re-imagined gender-specific discipleship classes

Phase 2 of: Strategic curriculum alignment with an interdisciplinary approach across grade levels

Workout facility with new locker and training rooms

Outdoor prayer and reflection space

Renovated theatre with new stage, increased seating, lighting, and backstage facilities New band room

THE BRINKLEY FAMILY Before coming to Miami Valley Christian Academy, we home-schooled our children. There are many blessings and wonderful aspects of this type of schooling, but we thought our oldest child would benefit from a more rigorous curriculum than what we were providing.

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For us, selecting a new school was about more than just academics. We would be trusting others to help raise and disciple our children. We knew a school setting couldn’t replicate the homeschool approach, but we still wanted our children to benefit from the core reasons we chose homeschool – a Christ-centered education, Christians living a faithful witness before them, and plenty of time to just be a kid.

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In addition to these central tenets, we had many other considerations. From practical matters like travel distance, to spiritual considerations like understanding and application of Scripture, to personal preferences like extra-curricular options, school amenities and such, the list was long! Finding a school seemed a daunting task and we thought it unlikely that one school could meet all of our needs.

We researched and talked with more than a dozen schools before narrowing the list to a few schools for in-depth interviews and visits. From the start, we could see a marked difference between MVCA and other schools. In most visits, we had to probe to determine if and how the school centered itself around Christ. At MVCA, it was just the opposite.

Through each person we talked to, faculty, staff and other families, examples of the school’s focus on Christ were mentioned. In some cases, easy for us to see. On a tour through one of the classrooms, the teacher explained the activity the students were working on. They were writing letters to graduating seniors including a Bible verse that would encourage them.

Added to all this, the genuine love for the students, and pursuit of excellence in all aspects – from sports, to academics, to discipleship – each of these examples made an impression on our family. We enrolled our children at MVCA! We’re going into our third year and it has been such a joy. When we visited the school, we heard about what made MVCA a special place, but since becoming part of the school we’ve been able to personally experience being part of the “pride.”

We set out to find a school that would meet as many of our criteria as possible. Never did we imagine that God would provide for us a school like MVCA that “checked all the boxes” and more!

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THE HALL FAMILY Our family decided to make the change from a public school to Miami Valley Christian Academy for the 2021-22 school year. Our daughter, Riley, was going to be entering into 5th grade. We began to explore private Christian schools throughout the city and after a few interviews, lots of prayers and a little research, we ended up at MVCA and we could not be happier. Riley is thriving in so many ways – she has grown so much spiritually, personally and academically.

At Miami Valley Christian Academy there is a very strong sense of community between all families, students and the staff. We have felt extremely welcome as a new family! The Academy is constantly sending out prayer groups to be a part of, volunteer opportunities, Grandparent involvement, etc. Our family has joined various committees and groups to serve and get to know others. We are greatly involved in the Athletic Boosters program and have enjoyed getting to know other athlete families.

Riley has received individualized attention from the teachers and is continuously pushed and challenged to reach her full potential with MVCA’s higher academic standards. With the small class sizes, the students are recognized as unique individuals and can receive one-on-one attention. The subjects that Riley struggled with at her previous school are now some of her best. She has even made the Honor Roll each quarter thus far!

During our interviews with other schools, what set MVCA apart the most were the clear value systems. The Academy is extremely mission driven which was important for our family. The entire faculty shares in the same moral values taught in our home. Each day the students start with reading the Bible and end the week with Chapel. The entire curriculum stems from the Truth about God’s Word and it is used as a foundation for all subjects – especially including history and science. Riley’s faith has deepened by integrating that with her studies.

MVCA puts a very heavy focus on life outside of the classroom and teaches the students the importance of serving and character development, starting at elementary age all the way through young-adult years.

The Academy recognizes that all students have different skills and provides several opportunities to develop those talents. There are a variety of extra-curricular activities, programs athletics and volunteer opportunities to give back to the community. Riley plays basketball for the school and plans to play volleyball in the fall. She was also able to be a part of her first musical in the Christmas play and has gained experience in the arts she wouldn’t have had elsewhere.

We could not be more pleased with our decision to attend Miami Valley Christian Academy! We have made friends with other families and know that Riley is surrounded by positive influences with her peers.

MVCA has encouraged development in all areas of Riley’s life and our family is beyond blessed to be here – we are proud Lions!

THE MORELAND FAMILY Sitting in choir practice in the spring of 1997 we were told, “you should bring Rachel to this new little school in Newtown”. Andy Lowe was the headmaster and sang bass. Rachel was 5 and we had not even considered anything other than public school. We agreed to check it out and have never left. Rachel is now 29 and a physician in WV. She was followed 5 years later by the twins, Sarah and Lukas. We weren’t sure how we would pay tuition for 3 but God always provided, even when the 4th, Seth, was born. We are so glad that we came to MVCA to equip and prepare our children. Sarah is nearing completion of her master’s and working with autistic children. Lukas is an engineer at Ariel Corporation in Columbus. Seth is finishing up at The Ohio State University in Film Studies and German. Through the years we have seen God at work in all areas of the Academy. Lukas was part of Mrs. Way’s 2nd grade that prayed for a football team each morning. His senior year he was named to the All State team. Just one more example of His provision.

While talking to my business partner during a corporate meeting, he shared that his wife worked for a philanthropist/foundation. His wife’s responsibility was to guide the foundation on where to allocate their funds. I knew the school was in need, as the heating system had just completely failed. I connected the 2 parties and not only did they fund the new heating system, but they also provided new insulated windows to make it more efficient. Since that introduction, this same foundation has been a source of support over the years for MVCA and has contributed over $2 million in improvement projects across the campus.

Although my children have graduated, I have not. I continue to support MVCA providing their photography. I see the blessings, large and small, on a regular basis.

God’s faithfulness has never failed this academy. He has always provided every need. God knows the hidden connections that are at your fingertips that could potentially bless our school. In your moments of prayer, ask God what he could do through you.

WHO do YOU

know?

God knows the hidden connections that are at your fingertips.

Contact Deanna Powell, Deveopment Director, dpowell@mvca-oh.com

JACKSON BURKE Co-Valedictorian Class of 2022 Miami Valley Christian Academy was my home for eight years.

Throughout those years, MVCA never failed to support and push me to success in an environment where I felt comfortable and my efforts appreciated.

On June 27th, 2022, I reported to the United States Military Academy at West Point to begin my six-week basic training called, “Beast.”

Regarded as one of the top public universities in the United States, West Point prepares young men and women to become future officers in the military through a focus on academics, military training, physical fitness, and character building. These future officers are trained to lead the country’s sons and daughters in protecting our founding ideals.

Ironically, this was never a dream of mine. I never had a dream school or a singular career path that I wanted to follow through on when I got to the college decision-making process. However, when my endeavors led me to West Point, it was evident that MVCA had a profound influence in preparing me for such an opportunity as the United States Military Academy.

To say MVCA prepared me for this opportunity is an understatement. The person I have become, as well as my perspectives on morality, humanity, and purpose have been heavily influenced by my school experiences. These ideals are the foundation of my development into a soldier who is willing to risk his life for something that I actually believe in. MVCA also taught me to confidently make commitments and then trust God for the strength required to fulfill it.

My third grade teacher’s class slogan was, “Do your best and let God do the rest!” Alongside Psalm 23:46–“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” These two foundational principles formed by belief system early on and most recently gave me peace to make my decision for West Point and eased the pressures and “unknowns” that weighed on my shoulders.

When it was time to enter high school, swimming had become my first love, and MVCA did not have a team or a pool. As my family and I discussed my swimming future, the possibility of me attending another school became real. One option was me swimming for my district high school while still attending MVCA. But that just wasn’t how I pictured my high school swimming career. After some tenacious creativity, my club coach and the Athletic Director discovered how I could continue to attend MVCA and even swim for MVCA. It was everything I had ever wanted, and I couldn’t believe that MVCA had gone out of their way to make it happen for me. Just me. Many people would say being on a one-man team would be boring or tough, but I wasn’t truly alone. I had the support of the entire MVCA community behind me and eventually my coach became the head coach of the Loveland High School swim team.

My MVCA high school swimming career saw me make the OHSAA State Swim Meet three times between 2020 and 2022, become a five-time Miami Valley Conference champion in multiple events.

MVCA will always feel like home no matter the time or place. I am extremely grateful to everyone who poured into me while I was at the academy, and I owe them a thank you for all they have ever done for me.

Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, nor would I be reporting to the USMA at West Point.

All glory to God.