MAGAZINE
A STUDENT PUBLICATION OF REACH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
ISSUE 10 SPRING 2018
Reach UD
Reach Church is headed to the University of Delaware campus.
ALSO INSIDE
Night to Shine
Reach Church hosted an unforgettable prom experience for people with special needs.
Artists
Tall Oaks students Sarah Zhu and Rita Dong paint award winning art.
AND MUCH MORE... WWW.REACHSCHOOLS.ONLINE
table of contents REACH SCHOOL Events 04-05 MRS. LEIGH ANN BETTERS 06-07 DR. nicholas didonato 08-09
10-11
mrs. sandy smith
12-13
night to shine
14-15
artists Sarah Zhu and Rita Dong
16-17
david willis: A baseball life
18-19
A Day in the life of the elementary school
julia hoopman: from music to law 20-21 reach ud 1 22-23 reach ud 2 24-25 naomi mengel: Tocs senior 26-27
28-29
matthew the magician
30-31
Spring Sports schedule
Reach Magazine SPRING 2018 ADVISER
Aaron Hamrick
EDITOR IN CHIEF Bria Dickerson
RED LION STAFF Zach Albano Bria Dickerson Kirsten Heusser Morgan Kline-Hill Kaitlyn Larson Kevin Mills Benny Nequist Tony Wright
TALL OAKS STAFF During the Night to Shine event on February 9, 2018, Glasgow Christian Academy student Leah Hoopman escorts her guest down the red carpet while volunteers from the Delaware State Police cheer them on. photo by Alex Feeney
Lydia Brown Delainey Gray Faith Hollister Naomi Mengal Katie Rippon
GLASGOW CHRISTIAN STAFF
each
M
agazine
Luke Papili, Adviser Joshua Betters Anthony Feghali Sophia Small Isabella Wicks
RED LION CAMPUS 1390 Red Lion Rd Bear, DE 19701
www.reachschools.online
302-834-2526 ON THE COVER University of Delaware students and Reach Church staff members stand in front of “Eleanor’s Place” just off of Cleveland Avenue in Newark, DE. The house is currently being renovated and will open in June to house UD students in a safe, Christian environment near the campus. photo by Aaron Hamrick
the
of
BEAT
REACH Here’s what’s happening around Reach Christian Schools
copy and design by Bria Dickerson
International Fair Feb. 2 The fifth graders celebrated cultures from around the world during the annual International Fair. The students picked a country and reported on it. Their report included the lifestyle of the country, food, population, and other details of their selected countries. Many of the students also dressed in traditional dress of that country. The International Fair gave the students an opportunity to explore countries beyond the United States of America and to learn what other cultures are like.
Photo by Linda Pargoe
Poetry Recitations Feb. 13-15 Tall Oaks Classical School held their annual poetry recitations as students performed their poems in front of a panel of judges for a grade. Family and friends came to watch as students performed their poem in the Tall Oaks sanctuary.
Photo by Aaron Hamrick
Night To Shine Feb. 9 For the second straight year, Reach Church hosted Night to Shine. This event was a prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation to benefit those who have special needs. There were approximately 150 guests who attended this prom escorted by buddies who spent the evening with them. The Coast Guard, Delaware State Police, Rocky Bluewinkle, the Chickfil-A cow, and YoUDee were in attendance. Every guest that was in attendance was crowned king or queen making their night one to never forget.
04
Reach Christian Schools
Ski Trip Feb. 16 Tall Oaks, Red Lion, and GCA combined and went on a ski trip to Jack Frost Mountain in Carbon County, PA. Although the weather was a little warm and rainy, students still were able to shred the slopes with each other. Some snow boarded and some skied making a memorable time with each other.
Senior All-Nighter Feb. 16-17 Many of the Red Lion seniors participated in an allnighter at school. They went to Launch Trampoline Park for some of the time and jumped around. They came back to the school and played video games, volleyball, and an intense game of sardines. When it was time to wind down, they watched the movies High School Musical 3 and Wait Until Dark. The seniors were able to create moments they would never forget from their senior year of high school.
Photo by Ruby Mercer
Basketball Playoffs Feb. 27
Pirates of Penzance March 1-3
The Red Lion boys’ basketball team earned their way back to the state tournament for the third year in a row. This season they were seeded 10th in the state. This gave the boys a first round home game against St. Marks High School. The stands were filled with fans from both schools, but the Lions fell short 36-24. Senior Christian Kennedy led Red Lion in scoring with 12 points. The Lions finished the season with a 15-5 record.
Photo by Aaron Hamrick
Red Lion music teacher and alumnus, Mr. Nathan Gioconda, directed Pirates of Penzance, his second musical in as many years. Pirates of Penzance is a comedic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. Many of the lead roles were played by Tall Oaks students. Frederick was played by Aidan Briggs, Pirate King by Sam McGarvey, Ruth portrayed by Jaylynn Brunson, and Mabel was played by Kaitlyn Booth. The character of Edith was played by Red Lion senior Claudia Glover. Over 800 people watched the performance in a three-night span. Mr. Gioconda said, “Doing the play was incredibly rewarding! I did Pirates of Penzance in college. In college, we did not do it nearly as well as we did it here at Red Lion. Our sets were better, and our cast was bigger and better. The students were able to connect with the play and enjoy it which was most enriching for me.”
Tall Oaks Senior Trip March 17-24
Photo by Aaron Hamrick
Start of Spring Sports March 1 March 1 marked the start of the 2018 spring sports season. Although it was not a perfect weather day to play sports, the teams managed to fit in practice. The baseball team is looking forward to a good season led by seniors Noah Dahloff and David Willis. The softball team is also looking at a great year led by captain Abbey Smith. The boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams are looking forward to the season although they lost many seniors from last year. The girls’ soccer team, coached by Mr. Ronnie Cheadle, are hoping for one of the best seasons in Red Lion history.
In mid-March, a group of Tall Oaks seniors traveled to Greece and Rome for a week of sightseeing, cultural experience, and discovering more about the Bible. In Athens, Corinth, and Mycenae, students toured ancient Greek landmarks including the Parthenon, the Tomb of Agamemnon, and the Mycenaean Citadel. They also toured biblical sites including Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the men of Athens in Acts 17, the orator’s platform from which he addressed the Corinthians, and the road he would have taken from Athens to Corinth. Besides sightseeing, students had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of local foods such as gyros, souvlaki, and Greek coffee and to shop for handmade pottery, olive wood creations, and authentic leather. Photo by Naomi Mengel
RLCA Senior Mission Trip March 9-16 The Red Lion senior class traveled to Costa Rica on their senior mission trip. Led by Mrs. Laureen Davison, the class was able to help people in need and spread the gospel to children and all people alike. The class was able to see firsthand how people live in another culture. Many of the students said that this was a life-changing experience. Photo by Josh Maxson
www.reachschools.online
05
a life
e c n e i changing r e p ex She couldn’t have imagined being a homeschool mom and teacher, but Mrs. Leigh Ann Betters says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
W
Copy by Keri Betters Photos by Luke Papili
06
Reach Christian Schools
hile walking around Glasgow Christian Academy on a Thursday, you may see Leigh Ann. Besides being on the GCA committee, she is also a teacher. On Thursdays, she is there, working behind the scenes teaching high school and middle school students subjects including English, Algebra, and ACT Prep. Years ago if you had told Leigh Ann she would be a teacher, she would have said “No way.” While in high school, Leigh Ann’s math teacher saw a spark of teaching ability and encouraged her to become a math teacher. Leigh Ann did not know what she wanted to be when she “grew up,” but she, at that point, knew she didn’t want to pursue teaching. She earned a degree in business and took a job researching and writing for a non-profit in Newark. With the birth of her first child, Leigh Ann became a stayat-home mom while still working part-time. When that child approached schoolage, she started to think about education options that would teach Christian values. She decided to try homeschooling for a year, but one year turned into multiple years as Leigh Ann discovered unique ways to communicate the information in easy-to-understand ways for her kids. She also joined a budding homeschool co-op at her church which was later renamed to Glasgow Christian Academy. “I fell in love with the co-op [now GCA] because it allowed me to keep homeschooling,” Leigh Ann explains. “They taught the subjects that I didn’t feel comfortable teaching while connecting us with other homeschooling families.” Her passion for teaching her own children inspired her to take on a writing class at GCA, and her calling as a teacher was confirmed. Homeschooling also gave Leigh Ann the flexibility to pursue extracurriculars of her own. Besides hobbies like sewing, reading, and playing piano, Leigh Ann also has learned a lot about sports including basketball and football. “I’ve gained an interest in watching football,” she admits. “My youngest son has had the opportunity to play for Red Lion Christian Academy, and it’s been fun cheering him on from the sidelines.” Although Leigh Ann never thought she would be a teacher, let alone a homeschool mom for 20 years and counting, she would not change a thing. “Homeschooling changed my life,” she says. “Although there were hard days, it has all been worth it in the end.”
www.reachschools.online
07
BESIDES TEACHING AT TALL OAKS, DR. NICHOLAS DIDONATO ENJOYS TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, READING, AND BOARD GAMES.
TEACHER USES LOVE OF GAMES IN CLASSROOM Copy by Faith Hollister and Delainey Gray Photos by Aaron Hamrick
D
r. Nick DiDonato is a high school teacher at Tall Oaks Classical School who teaches Science, Western Civilization, U.S. History, Civics, and Economics. He received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and then became interested in epistemology, which is the study of knowledge itself. After working with technology for a little while longer, he was faced with a decision: learn more about AI (artificial intelligence) or study philosophy. He chose to follow philosophy and went to Princeton Seminary and then to Boston University for his doctoral work. At that point, he decided that he wanted to teach and became a teaching assistant at Princeton Day School, a private high school. Teaching at a university level meant he was not able to build relationships with students. He did not like teaching them for a semester
08
Reach Christian Schools
and then probably never seeing them again. He was even told not to get attached to the students as they were most likely not going to take the same class again. Dr. DiDonato said, “I thought that was sort of unfortunate, that advice to me was to ‘don’t really get to know your students that well because you’re never going to see them again probably.’” He preferred to build relationships with his students as he taught them, which he is now able to do by teaching at a high school. Most of his teaching methods are based on his own teachers who he thought were effective and also on what helped him best as a student. He said that the subjects he enjoyed most were the ones in which he could be an engaging member. That is why he tries to have his students lead the class discussions as well as to give them an opportunity to write or present about essentially any topic that interests them within
”
I take grading very seriously. I want to give people good feedback. I want to read every word that people write. I want to make sure that people know that I’m taking their work seriously, but that, of course, takes time.
”
a certain time period or course focus. He assigns essays and projects that give the students a chance to express their own opinion and use data to debate. One teaching method Dr. DiDonato uses is the Die of Doom. He uses this method to encourage his students to read the readings he assigns because if they do not, the discussion usually turns out to be somewhat boring. The Die of Doom is a foam die that is rolled to determine if there will be a pop quiz. The students roll the die, and if a one is rolled, then they take a pop quiz. The Die of Doom originated from Dr. DiDonato’s love of board games. He wanted to find a fair way to test that people were actually reading what he assigned and decided on the Die of Doom. Originally, if a student rolled a 1-5, there would be a pop quiz, but as the student did well on his pop quizzes, his own personal probability would decrease, so that eventually it might be only that if he rolled a one, he would get a pop quiz. As time went on, however, Dr. DiDonato had to simplify the method as he taught more and more students. Dr. DiDonato is married and has one daughter, Josephine, and he and his wife, Susanne, are expecting another child in July. When asked how he balances his family life with his job, he admits he is not a master at it, but he has found ways to keep the balance. He tries to leave school by 4:30 with his grading done so that he can spend his time at home with his family instead of being busy with work. He also tries to minimize the Saturdays he uses for work. Dr. DiDonato noted, “I take [grading] very seriously. I want to give people good feedback. I want to read every word that people write. I want to make sure that people know that I’m taking their work seriously, but that, of course, takes time.”
Dr. DiDonato loves board games, not like chess or Monopoly, but like Terra Mystica (his personal favorite) and Agricola. He especially appreciates board games that emphasize long-term strategy rather than randomness. Dr. DiDonato’s main game partner is his wife, who also loves playing. Concordia is one of their favorite games to play together. Dr. DiDonato has been to PAX Unplugged, a new board game convention in Philadelphia. He mentions that Uwe Rosenberg is one of his favorite game designers. Dr. DiDonato also loves reading. At the moment, he is reading Maximus the Confessor’s The Ambigua. He says it is “masterful.” Two of his favorite books are Sophist by Plato and Divine Names by Dionysius. He recommends Eric Perl’s Theophany to those interested in Medieval theology. To those who want to learn more about the history of religion and science, he recommends Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths About Science and Religion, which covers all the major myths. He recommends Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions and Paul Feyerabend’s Against Method to the ones interested in the philosophy of science.
www.reachschools.online
09
New Teacher
Ravens Fan
Mrs. Smith shows off her Baltimore Ravens pride with a flag hung behind her desk on her classroom wall.
Learn Time to
Some people never find their passion in life, but Mrs. Smith has known hers since before she can remember. Copy and design by Morgan Kline-Hill Photos by Aaron Hamrick
B
efore coming to Red Lion, Mrs. Sandy Smith worked at Wilmington Christian School. She was looking for a new job for the school year of 2018-2019 as a full-time teacher but was not having any luck. So she started to look for substitute jobs instead. That is when she found the opening for a full-time history teacher at Red Lion. Working with kids has come naturally to Mrs. Smith, and by the time she came to Red Lion to begin teaching history for high school students, she was already a pro. “I’ve taught elementary school, middle school, high school, and I’ve been a principal.” Unlike most people, Mrs. Smith has known from the time she was a little girl that she wanted to be a teacher. When asked if she knew that she wanted to be a teacher as a little girl, she said, “Oh yeah! When I was a little girl I would line my dolls up on my bed and give them papers, and I would grade them and I would discipline them. I would pretend they were raising their hands.” Mrs. Smith has been married to her husband, Brian, for twenty-eight years, and they have one son. She loves to spend time with them when she is not working. “I love to travel and go different places. I just really like to spend time with family. Whatever it is we’re doing, whether we’re at Longwood Gardens or going to a trip or seeing a movie, I just really like to do it with my family.”
10
Reach Christian Schools
Growing Up With Jesus Growing up, Mrs. Smith said that she didn’t always feel like she had that many friends, but when her mom sent her and her siblings to a Vacation Bible School for a week in the summer that changed. “I went to VBS at a church around the corner from my house. This was before my family went to church. In the summer my mom would just send us to the church to get rid of us for a few hours during the day.” “While I was at the church, somebody told me that Jesus was my best friend. I had struggled with not feeling like I had many friends and so to be told that Jesus was my best friend was something that appealed to me. So that was in fourth grade, and I asked him into my heart and have been serving Him ever since.”
www.reachschools.online
11
Kevin Caicedo and Emily Skelton
Isaiah Taylor and Emma Hines
I
saiah Taylor, a Tall Oaks student, participated in Night to Shine for the first time. Emma Hines, his guest, got her hair and makeup done as soon as the night started. They danced and played a few games. But, the highlight of the night was karaoke. “Karaoke was hilarious,” Isaiah
smiled. “The dancing was the most memorable moment,” Isaiah continued. “She was really having fun. I have been to other proms, and it was not sketchy just people having innocent and pure fun.” “I felt happy and kind of different,” referring to how he felt after the prom. “It taught me a lesson to always be content. These people who have disabilities do not care that they have a disability and are happy. They are living their lives and having fun. And for me, I go to a nice Christian school, and I’m an athlete. So I should be content and have fun, just like they were that night.”
12
Reach Christian Schools
E
mily Skelton volunteered for the second year at Night to Shine. Kevin Caicedo, her guest, spent all night dancing with his friends from school. “They danced the entire night and that’s all he wanted to do.” “My favorite part of the night was seeing how happy he was hanging out with his friends,” Emily said. Night to Shine provides an opportunity for people who have disabilities to let loose for the night with people just like them. As it is a big deal for them, it is also a big deal for the parents as well. Emily said, “His mom came to me in tears because she was so happy for her son.” There were appearances from different mascots such as the cow from Chick-fil-A and the Delaware Blue Hen. Kevin really liked them, and his face lit up when he saw them and danced with him. Helping to serve the Lord is a big deal and doing Night to Shine is a way to help his people. “I knew I was doing God’s work and showing love to Kevin and his family.”
WE SHINE
NIGHT TO SHINE
IS BACK
Ani daPonte, Tasheera Patton, and Janai Gibson
F
or Ani daPonte and Janai Gibson, this was the first time at Night to Shine. Unfortunately, Ani’s guest did not come, but she was able to help and float around with other guests. “I was one of the last people waiting for our guests, and we were joking saying ‘what if we get stood up’ and turns out I did,” as she laughed. But she was able to hang out with Janai and her guest, Tasheera Patton. Janai and her guest Tasheera were able to do everything the prom offered. They danced, did karaoke, rode in the limo, and got hair and makeup done. “The crowning was a special moment. All the guests got to realize that all of them are kings and queens,” Janai said. “It is really humbling to realize that it should not always be all about you. It is fun to give back to people around you and your community.” Ani reiterated, “The only way you can really have pure joy is when you are helping someone else. It feels so selfless because your job is to make them feel happy, and when you give your all into that, it becomes a humbling experience.”
Copy and Design by Bria Dickerson Photos by Alex Feeney and Morgan Taylor
Cameron Harrison and Camryn Kerr
T
his was Camryn Kerr’s second time serving as a buddy. “I really enjoyed serving in that role, so I decided to sign up again this year,” she said. Her buddy was Cameron Harrison which was funny because they both have the same name and were referred to as “Cam and Cam” all night. She and Cameron danced the night away. They only took one break which was to eat food. “I had asked Cameron if he liked to dance, and he had shrugged and smiled at me. Little did I know he was preparing to literally dance the night away.” Cameron was with his group of friends all night dancing. His face lit up when the DJ played a song he recognized, and he loved all the attention from the cameras and the circles formed around him when he danced. “That was my most memorable moment.” “Participating in this event was amazing. It was truly a night of selfless service to others. It meant so much to me to see the excitement from the guests and even their parents. Seeing the smile on Cameron’s face the entire night was such a blessing. I am also so thankful to Sandi Gasorek for bringing NTS to Reach Church,” Camryn said. www.reachschools.online
13
TALL OAKS
Copy by Naomi Mengel Photos by Aaron Hamrick
Sarah Zhu
Sophomore Sarah Zhu hails from Beijing, China, and has attended Tall Oaks since seventh grade. She began drawing at a young age and first picked up oil painting, now her favorite medium, at age nine after watching her dad paint. Sarah’s father, a painter himself, has been a great influence on her art, but Sarah said that their individual styles vary. Sarah said, “I don’t try to be like him; we are very different. Both of us do traditional realist oil painting, but it’s our natural instincts that we paint, so we can’t be the same.” Sarah enjoys painting with her dad and views art as a form of interpretation. “I like to see something, understand it, and put it in my own way, to interpret things,” Sarah explained. “The thing about realism is that you’re not trying to imagine something; you’re literally drawing what you see, God’s creation, and that’s fascinating. I would say that when an artist draws something, it says something about the artist, and sometimes I wish people to learn about me and my thoughts by looking at my artwork. And artwork is a reflection of God. It helps us to see God’s creation. He is the best painter, He is the best artist, and we are just trying to copy God’s creation and trying to put it in a form of art. I like it because when you are drawing or painting, you are learning more about God’s creation.” In her career as an artist, Sarah has received several awards for her paintings. At the Delaware Scholastic Art Awards, she has won three Gold Keys, a Silver Key, and an Honorable Mention. Additionally, she won a Gold Medal at the 2018 National Scholastic Art Awards for her painting Back to the Books. Sarah does not have a particular favorite among the works she has created. “I love painting humans; probably all the portraits I’ve done are my favorite,” she admitted. Her favorite artists include Cézanne, Rembrandt, Manet, and Rouault. “Art is my interest. But you have to be really good to live on making artwork,” Sarah said. “I love art, and I will be a painter my whole life, but I will probably also do something else.” In addition to art, Sarah enjoys practicing music, languages, studying theology, and reading literature. In her words, she likes “everything associated with the left brain, art and music and languages, but not the math part.”
14
Reach Christian Schools
ARTISTS
Rita Dong
Rita Dong, a senior, has attended Tall Oaks since ninth grade. A native of Beijing, Rita has been interested in art since the age of four. She traces the beginning of her real passion for art to sixth grade. “In sixth grade, my mom was trying to find something for me to do over the summer, so she signed me up for this art studio where you could go every single day to do art. That summer, I went every single day for about two months, and that’s where I think it started,” she recalled. Rita’s favorite artist is J. M. W. Turner, and she emulates his paintings in some of her own work. Rita explained, “I just love his work; it’s very colorful. It’s impressionist, and that is the style that I like. I also do very realist sketches of still life and portraits.” Rita’s preferred media are “oil, watercolor, and pencils. I don’t like acrylic. I don’t know why.” “I do creative drawings with oil paints and watercolor, and I do portraits and sketches for other people. I mainly do art as gifts,” Rita said. “When I do art, it’s mostly to give to other people as a present. Everything that I work on, most of it goes to other people. So that’s kind of a purpose for me, for my art, to give to other people.” One of Rita’s favorites among her own works is a scratch painting of a wolf that she completed last year. “I really like it because it’s just a really cool medium,” Rita explained. “The black against the silver and the reflective material really conveyed the fierceness of the animal. It’s difficult because it’s not something you can erase or redo, so it was a new experience for me. And the wolf is my favorite animal.” Through her art, Rita hopes to reveal truth, goodness, and beauty to the viewer. Last year, she wrote her junior thesis on “Modern abstract art fails to fulfill the divine task of the artist.” She observed, “Art is a message conveyed through artistic means, and its ultimate goal is to reveal the glory of heaven, the radiance of God, which is beauty. So it’s inextricably linked to beauty, and if it’s cut off from reality or beauty or goodness, then it cannot be really art.” Although Rita loves painting, she plans to pursue a career path in a different field. “For me, art is more of a skill I can use to bless other people,” Rita said. “I will want to paint different projects, but it’s not where my ambition is set. So I’m going to go to Franklin and Marshall to study psychology and communications and minor in art.” Rita’s perspective on art is best summarized in her own words about her enchantment with art and its meaning. She said, “I found that even the tiniest pencil stroke is significant in making a sketch alive. It was like conducting a symphony; every line I put down crescendos into a fusion of beauty…As I described in my junior thesis, art is a message, controlled by true insights into reality, communicated through artistic means, and leading to the opening of truth. It is the evidence of that search for beauty and truth, toward ‘that which makes life worth living.’”
www.reachschools.online
15
Swinging For the the story of DAVID WILLIS AND BASEBALL
P
fences
laying sports in college is a huge goal and an accomplishment for a high school athlete. Many high school athletes’ dream is to go D1 in their sport and school of choice. That dream does not fall short for David Willis. Willis has an opportunity to play Division 1 baseball at James Madison University. His baseball career started at a young age of four. “My dad and I, we always had these boomer bats and whiffle balls. And we have these home videos of me in the backyard hitting them all day long. That’s how it started.” David’s dad, David Willis II, was the person who got David into playing baseball. “My dad started me at a young age. I would always do fly balls with him. With T-ball, he was my coach, and he was really supportive and at every game. He was so passionate because he loves baseball.” For David, baseball was not his only sport he played growing up. As an athletic guy, he tried many different sports. “I have played every sport: baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and football. I almost quit baseball for lacrosse. It sounds kind of weird, but basketball is my favorite sport.” David has always played two sports at once until his sophomore year. With a promising career in baseball, he had to focus on that and drop all the other sports. “I had to get focused for college. Baseball is a year-around sport. In the summer I am playing, and the off-season is the biggest part. I couldn’t play basketball because as soon as basketball ended baseball started up. I love basketball and I probably could have played both but I needed to get to the point where I needed to focus on just baseball.” As far as James Madison University (JMU) is concerned, “It’s a weird story,” David explained. “I was not really supposed to be scouted by them. I was supposed to have a tournament off, but I ended up helping out and playing with an old coach.” The tournament was at Hartford Community, and David played a great game. Ever since that game, he was on James Madison’s radar. David was not even planning to consider JMU until that day. He had a list of a lot of colleges that wanted him such as Ohio State, Tulane, Campbell, and Liberty. “But everything about JMU is for me. Nice campus and environment. Everything about JMU was perfect for me,” he said. “It is a perfect distance away from home.” The coaching staffs at JMU have a strong interest in David. Coach Daniel Bowman saw David play first. “They are all real cool. You can talk to them and they are really good coaches.” They even helped David out with his swing which really helped his game. David was able to talk to a few guys from the team. “All baseball guys are alike. Once we all get together, it’s a good experience. I am sure we will be good friends,” David laughed. “My family is everything. My dad has put so much time and so much effort in. My mom is really supportive. My sisters get really emotional talking about our relationship. They come to all of my games and support me throughout my whole career. I think going off to college I will be good. It is so good to have a support system.” David attended Caravel Academy his freshmen and sophomore year and played baseball. “I was behind three other players. I learned to be patient. A couple things did not work out, but I learned a lot while I was there, and I am thankful for them.” During his junior year, David transferred to Red Lion Christian Academy. “I came here to grow as a player, and I was able to get a couple of reps in last season. Coach Pusey has a big say about how we act. Everyone is cool to each other, good comradery. We have respect for one another. It will be a good season if we stick to it.” This season looks to be a good season for Red Lion baseball. The school is now in the Diamond State Athletic Conference. “It is a pretty tough conference, but we will be pretty good this year.” As a player, David has grown a lot. From being a little leaguer to a college baseball player comes with progress and hard work. “My last four years have been a process. Finding my swing... I am a lot more confident in the box. I am a lot more focused this year. I have a lot to work for. This year is a big preparation for college.” “I am trying to get time right away. I want to go in and make an impact. I am going to get down there, and I know everyone wants to play but there are only nine spots.” Aspirations for David Willis are impressive. “I am going to ride baseball as long as I can. I am going to play as hard as I can. I think I have a shot to get drafted, for sure, if I just keep playing well.” When asked if there is anything you could say, any advice you would tell your younger self. David said, “God has a plan. Stay patient and stick to the grind. Keep your head down, and don’t do as much talking. Just stick to it and keep working.” David and his family are active members at Reach Church and attend the Fair Hill campus in Maryland.
16
Reach Christian Schools
“
“
God has a plan. Stay patient and stick to the grind. Keep your head down and don’t do as much talking. Just stick to it and keep working.
Copy by Bria Dickerson Design by Kevin Mills Photos by Aaron Hamrick
www.reachschools.online
17
DAY IN THE LIFE OF Elementary School copy by Kirsten Heusser design by Bria Dickerson photos by Josh Maxson
First grade teacher, Mrs. Amanda Schoenberger, answers a question from her student as she teaches her class about math.
18
Reach Christian Schools
The kindergarten teachers are Mrs. Julie Tokarski and Mrs. Kim Jackson. The kindergarten student’s day begins with prayer in the gym, and then they do a small paper every morning. Each student is also assigned a job. Every day begins with the pledges to the American and Christian flags, then to the Bible. They learn a verse that begins with each letter of the alphabet. They recite each of those verses at kindergarten graduation. The children take field trips to Greenbank to learn about colonial times and then to Ashland Nature Center where they learn about bugs. In the spring, they go outside and plant things such as sunflowers. Students also learn about different countries around the world.
K
The first graders are taught by Mrs. Joy Corbett and Mrs. Amanda Schoenberger. They go to Historic Odessa in the fall and Franklin Institute in the spring. Every morning begins with morning work, and then they move into Bible and phonics. After that, they have reading and grammar before lunch and recess. In the afternoon, they learn reading comprehension and math. In Bible class, the kids learn how to be a friend. They learn about the story of Samuel, God’s gift to children, God’s gifts of friends, and the story of David. Since first graders are still very young, they don’t have many projects. The only project they have is their 100th day of school assignment.
1
Mrs. Jenny Hardcastle teaches second grade. As a second grade class, the students visit Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, where they have a hands-on experience with taking nets and go fishing in the water. The kids enjoy their specials (gym, library, and computers) and recess. Their biggest project is a book report and a collage where they collect eight pictures from their story and write sentences about the pictures. Their biblical focus is the Israelites and how God protects them and provides for them as they leave Egypt. They learn that when the plagues came God still protected the Israelites and how He guided them through the desert.
3
The fourth grade, taught by Mrs. Rachel Murphy, goes to the Philadelphia Zoo and Fort Delaware. They enjoy having science and math every day. The students have reading, grammar, and spelling before they go to lunch. In the afternoon, they begin with math before they have recess, and then have science and history. In Bible class, they learn about the Trinity. They do a major project called “Planet Project.” They have a report on a state, where they make a big state float, and they have a little parade of all their states in front of the entire school.
4
Mr. Bill Petrauschke teaches fifth grade. They have three field trips: Maryland Science Center, Junior Achievement Biztown, and Washington D.C. They enjoy learning their math and reading during the day. They also learn about Christ’s second coming. Fifth graders have three major projects. They participate in the International World Fair, where they dress and create a display for their country. They also create a 3D cell project for science class. Their third big project is a biography where they choose a person and dress and speak in front of others like they are that person.
Third grade is taught by Mrs. Connie Short. They go on two field trips: New Jersey Aquarium and to the Philadelphia Historical Site. They enjoy the multiplication challenge where if they master their multiplying, Mrs. Short buys them a pack of M&Ms of their choice. They complete a 3D fish project and also do a Black History Month project. They had a project where they traced their bodies on paper, colored organs, and placed them in the correct spots on the body. Third graders study the life of Joseph and the life of Daniel, and they learn character traits, both good and bad.
2
5
www.reachschools.online
19
20
Reach Christian Schools
Julia Hoopman from music to law Copy by Keri Betters Photo by Luke Papili
THE GCA SENIOR ENJOYS MUSIC, LOVES EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT CULTURES, IS A COFFEE LOVER, BUT, MOST OF ALL, DESIRES TO FOLLOW CHRIST.
T
ake advantage of every moment and opportunity!” Julia Hoopman, a senior at Glasgow Christian Academy, said when asked what she would tell her younger self. “I would also tell myself to pursue quality Christ-centered relationships. I feel so grateful for the incredible friendships I have made and strengthened during high school. Most importantly, I would remind myself to daily seek Christ.” You may see Julia playing piano in one or both of the worship teams she is a member of. Music is a major part of her life, and she admits she cannot imagine a life where she is not constantly sitting at the piano. It is difficult to choose whether she would rather listen to music or play music because she absolutely loves music. Piano isn’t the only instrument Julia knows, though; she is also teaching herself ukulele. “I’m not very good yet, but I definitely enjoy it,” Julia admits. However, Julia is not interested in pursuing a music degree post-graduation. Instead, her interests focus on economics and law school. Julia gained an interest in her father’s family company and having that personal connection with a business, piqued
her curiosity about both the economic and legal operations of companies. To focus on this interest, Julia plans to attend a four-year university once she graduates from GCA in the spring. “I am not 100% decided yet, but I am leaning towards Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia,” Julia says. Julia has traveled to Kenya twice, which has sparked her interest in traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. When she is studying, Julia prefers indoors. “In Bible class, I actually have a reputation for being the only person to vote against moving class outside!” she says. She is also a huge coffee lover. “If you know me, you probably also know the strength of my dislike for tea!” As Julia prepares for the next step, she knows the importance of faith. Psalm 46:10 and Esther 4:14 are two of her favorite Bible verses because they remind her of God’s perfect sovereignty. High school is an exciting chapter of Julia’s life, but she admits the next chapter is unknown and a little bit scary. “At only seventeen, I don’t feel ready to decide the course of my entire future!” Julia says. “However, I know that God has a plan for me, and in this, I find peace.”
“I feel so grateful for the incredible friendships I have made and strengthened during high school.”
www.reachschools.online
21
Reaching out to the community at University of Delaware, Reach Church is renting out a house to fourteen UD students beginning in June 2018. 22
Reach Christian Schools
UD
REACH Copy by Gwen Schoenberger Photos by Aaron Hamrick
Ralph and Eleanor Watts, the grandparents of Reach Church Senior Pastor Chuck L. Betters, built many churches in our area and are well known in the local Christian community. When they passed away, their seven children didn’t know what to do with their house in Newark.
A brick wall leading up one of the stairwells to the second floor entrance door adds some character to the stairwell.
T
he house had been in the family since the late 1950’s and, of course, held lots of sentimental memories. Jim Watts, the second oldest son of Ralph and Eleanor, as well as the other siblings, felt the house should stay in the family, but, more importantly, he felt it would someday be used for ministry. The house sat empty for four years, until Jim and his sons received approval from the city of Newark to convert the home into apartments, using the current home as the structure. This home was the first house in Newark approved to be renovated for this purpose. The result is “Eleanor’s Place” with apartments being ready for occupancy in June 2018. Several significant structures have been added to the home. The result will be brand new beautiful apartments with full kitchens and laundry on each floor and a total occupancy of fourteen. In its first year of operation, Reach Church began renting out “Eleanor’s Place” in order to house fourteen University of Delaware students in hopes to challenge them to put their faith into practice, receive
This is one of the three full kitchens in the house. There is also a washer and dryer on each floor.
personal discipleship, form deep relationships with one another, and be a part of the local church. The college years are, arguably, the most formative years of life. At Reach Church, we believe that deep discipleship and living in intentional Christian community leads to a stronger faith and creates future Christian leaders in churches, families, and workplaces. We desire to use our resources as a church to create a place that fuels this development. Senior Pastor Chuck Betters of Reach Church said, “We believe that these students will be given a great opportunity to reach other students for Jesus, specifically on the campus of UD. We want to challenge the students in Reach UD to put their faith into practice by reaching out to their peers, building relationships with them, and inviting them to church. There will be chances to do this through Bible studies, social programs, outings, worship nights, rides to church on Sundays, and much more - all planned by the students who live in the house.” This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for current University of Delaware students who are seeking deep spiritual growth, mentorship, and being part of a local church body, and we cannot wait to see where the Lord takes this ministry in the purpose of living to reach all people with Nothing But Jesus!
Workers are putting in carpet in one of the bedrooms on the third floor. Renovations are close to being finished.
Checking out the house for the first time, Jesse Nguyen, Katie Betters, and Cora Vasquez walk up and down the steps between the second and third floors.
“Not only will living at Reach UD strengthen and grow the faith and relationships of those living there, but I believe this community will be able to reach students at UD in unique ways.” Tyler Schoenberger, Reach Church Director of Youth
www.reachschools.online
23
&
MEETGREET
Residents of the Reach UD house share their feelings for living in a house on the campus of University of Delaware that will set itself apart from the other houses on campus.
WILSON FORNEY
“There were multiple things that drew me to Reach Church that gave me the desire to want to become more plugged in. The people are welcoming, inviting, and I could tell they genuinely cared about me. I instantly knew that their care for me stemmed from their relationships with Christ, and the overflow of love from their lives was something I had only felt once previously (with InterVarsity). The theological leanings of Reach were also very appealing to me. I recently started learning more about Reformed Theology, and when I realized that Reach is a Reformed Presbyterian church, I was very excited at the opportunity to continue to learn about God’s Word. Also, the commitment to Nothing But Jesus threw me for a loop. At first, I thought it was just some trendy tag line to attract people. But, the more time I spent with members of the church, the more I realized it was a way of life. The fact that their entire lives are changed, affected, and driven by the knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior sealed the deal for me. “When I heard about the opportunity to serve in the Reach UD ministry, I jumped at the chance to be involved. I have been involved in campus ministry with InterVarsity for all four years of college, so ministering to college students is not new to me. What sets Reach UD apart for me is the intentionality of the location. The house is seated right at the heart of the party scene, a place where there is basically zero Christian presence. This excites me because this opens the doors for people who have never or may never be exposed to the Gospel to have that opportunity. One of my passions is to disciple college students. That has been a huge part of my life for the last few years, and the chance to continue that with Reach Church is something I am looking forward to. I want us as a church to use the location of the house for the glory of God. I want us to have an intentional presence in the community through things like events where we not only invite people into our space but go out and give to our neighbors, all in an effort to make Christ known. “University of Delaware is a very liberal and post-modern campus, and the message of Nothing But Jesus that we will bring has the potential to reach out and help so many hurting people, as well as give purpose to those who feel purposeless. So many college students in today’s society are drifting through life, but we know that there is so much more, and I think sharing Nothing But Jesus with them will give them direction and will fuel so many students into a relationship with Him.”
24
Reach Christian Schools
MICHAEL MARKAKIS “All throughout high school and church, I was taught that it is super important to get plugged into a Christian community. With all the perversion and distractions on campus, it’s easy to get pulled in, so joining a Christian fellowship is the best way to have a positive influence. “My hope is that the Reach UD ministry will be a house that is a light on campus. That means it should be a house that stands out from the rest. I hope that anyone who comes into the house will see that the relationship between the house members is much different from what they would see in any other apartment or such. “I am most excited about living on my own for the first time. It will also be nice to have a place of rest that is on campus besides the student centers and the library. My hope is that I will be able to invite my engineering friends to the house to do homework, and they will be able to see the relationship I have with the house members. “The best advice I can give students at Reach Christian Schools is to take the time to start thinking about the question, ‘What does it mean to glorify God while on campus?’ There are a ton of opportunities on campus, but if God is not glorified, they are all vain.”
KATIE BETTERS “I would love to see the Reach UD house be a place of consistent discipleship, worship, and fellowship for the Christians who live there. I hope that through this ministry we can be a united force of sharing the love of Jesus as we connect students with the Reach Church family that I love so much. I hope that through interactions with the students who live at the Reach UD house, many students who hang out with us on campus and at the house will come to understand and live out Reach Church’s message of Nothing But Jesus (I Corinthians 2:2). I hope the Reach UD house will be a place where all students who walk through the doors, Christian or non-Christian, feel welcome, loved, and safe. I am so excited to live at the Reach UD house where we will have a spiritually encouraging home environment which will strengthen and motivate us to reach others for Christ.”
www.reachschools.online
25
naomimengel
“My teachers and classmates have also shown that love to me and have taught me to love learning, and I think that’s what has made my experience at Tall Oaks so amazing.”
26
Reach Christian Schools
Photo by AnnaClaire Schmeidel
I
Copy by Katie Rippon Lydia Brown
t’s hard to find something Naomi Mengel does not enjoy. Whether in sports, arts, or academics, she is always willing and ready to give all she has and serve others with a cheerful heart. While she keeps busy in her many pursuits, she especially enjoys cross country, piano, and photography. Naomi is a senior at Tall Oaks, where she has attended since kindergarten, and she has loved every moment of it. In her words, “I would not trade my experience here for anything; it’s been amazing.” When asked about her favorite grade, she says that every year has been different and exciting, and it is hard to pick a favorite one. Ninth grade was when her class started doing a lot of things together outside of school and really getting to know each other well. She concludes that her classmates are “the awesomest.” She really enjoys being a senior. She remembers being in kindergarten at Tall Oaks and looking up to the older students, and she hopes that the seniors can be good influences on the younger students. While she is not quite sure yet where she wants to go to college, Naomi would like to attend either Gordon College or Union University. She plans on doublemajoring in communications with a focus in journalism and Spanish. Naomi says that she has learned so much from Tall Oaks, not only in the classroom, but through building relationships with other people. “I’ve been at Tall
Oaks practically my entire life, and I am so, so incredibly grateful for this amazing community of people. Not only the students, but also the teachers and all that they have invested in me,” she reflects. “I also love classical Christian education and the way it has opened my eyes to be able to see God in everything, to love Him, and to love others. That’s something I’ll take with me as I go off to college and then out into the world.” Naomi has been involved in many different sports over the years. She has participated in a summer swim team, played volleyball for the Tall Oaks Titans from eighth to tenth grade, and played Titans soccer from grades seven to nine. Starting her junior year, she ran cross country for Red Lion. She didn’t expect a lot from herself when she started and did not believe that she could run long distance. However, she has grown to enjoy it very much, especially observing that it is such a mental sport. Through running, she has learned to “push myself beyond what I think my barriers are.” She noted that she enjoyed seeing all of her teammates grow throughout the season, and she loves how running provides a great community for everyone participating in the sport. Naomi also excels in the arts. She loves creative writing and really enjoys photography. Naomi’s insight on photography is that “photography is unique among the arts. It takes the photographer’s perspective and puts
Photo by Aaron Hamrick
In addition to athletics and photography, Naomi has learned to play piano. She notes that her dad plays piano as well and that she likes playing for fun and enjoys making up her own arrangements of hymns. She has also participated on the Tall Oaks Science Olympiad Team every year since 6th grade, giving a strong performance at the state competition. “It’s been awesome learning about God’s creation, studying different disciplines of science, and just laughing with my teammates.” She lists Forestry and Invasive Species as two of her favorite events. Naomi explains, “It takes work, sweat, and a whole lot of Google Docs study guides, but the competitions are always fun. I’ve learned so much about everything from reptiles to fluid mechanics to topographic maps to the human body, as well as life skills (like how to cram all the words from an entire PowerPoint presentation onto one page when making a study guide).” She has won several medals,
but the rewards of learning and building relationships have been much more important to her. “I’ll definitely miss studying God’s creation with such a great group of people.” Volunteering as an exhibit guide at the Brandywine Zoo over the summer gives her another opportunity to express her love for science. Naomi has been involved in missions as well. Last year, she went to Mexico for the Tall Oaks Jr. and Sr. Trip, where she had the opportunity to work with the welcoming community at Iglesia Biblica La Roca. She noted, “They have such an awesome community there. It was a lesson to all of us on the trip in what Christian community should be like.” When asked how she fits everything in, Naomi responded that she has learned how to manage time, especially along with looking at and applying to colleges. Her first focus is on her schoolwork. “You’ve got to set goals for yourself. It’s really just important to focus on each day and how you’re going to use your time best on that day.” For the rest of her senior year, Naomi summarizes her goals in this: “I want to be an example of Christlike love and joy for everyone I interact with. My teachers and classmates have also shown that love to me and have taught me to love learning, and I think that’s what has made my experience at Tall Oaks so amazing. I want my legacy to be founded in the beautiful Christian culture that exists at Tall Oaks, and I hope that I have been able to contribute in some way to the growth of that culture and its values of excellence, perseverance, and joy.”
Photo courtesy of Naomi Mengel
Photo by Naomi Mengel
Photo by AnnaClaire Schmeidel
it into context of a larger worldview. It’s impossible to do photography without thinking about the beauty in the world. Photography shows how ratios are inherent in the world, because God ordered them that way. It captures your emotional view of something and puts it into a rational sort of grid. Photography is also very flexible and reasonable at the same time. There is such a variety of subject matter. Photography is a challenge to not only look for the beautiful thing but how to show the viewer that it’s beautiful. I also love that feeling you get and that rush when you get the perfect shot.” She says photography is all about finding the perfect moment and capturing it. She enjoys sports photography, especially of her former swim team in summer, and has taken pictures of the school play as well. She especially likes taking candids and nature pictures. With candids, she loves the challenge of taking a person’s emotions that are written on their face or body and putting it into a still motion image so that the viewer can understand what emotions are being expressed. One of her favorite pictures is one that she took in Mexico of a man winding a tie around a bundle of henequen. “I didn’t actually realize it when I took it; I was just trying to take a picture. A lot of times, that’s how good photographs happen. I really like it because of the way it portrays the guy’s emotion; that’s what he does, day after day. I really like how you can see the contrast between his darker, wrinkled hands and the smooth henequen, and then his white shirt.”
www.reachschools.online
27
W
o n de r & A ma zem en M
Copy and design by Kevin Mills Photo by Aaron Hamrick
Talented Middle School Magician Matthew Chua
Matthew Chua is a new student bringing a feeling of magic to the campus. Matthew moved to the United States last year from the Philippines, where he was born and grew up. Matthew began attending Red Lion this year and is in eighth grade. He chose Red Lion because it was important to his parents that he attended a Christian school. This past summer, Matthew was inspired by his friends at summer camp to learn how to do card tricks. His friends said, “Man, it’s so boring here. Could you do something cool for us?” Matthew said, “Give me some time, and maybe I can do some card tricks.” He then went on YouTube that night and learned a trick to show his friends the very next day. News of his talent spread like wildfire at camp. He was very popular with his tricks. “After I did the card tricks, everyone got happy and then I got well-known there. After that I began practicing even more complicated tricks.” Coming to Red Lion in the fall from another country was difficult for Matthew to make friends, but then his mother had a suggestion. Matthew said, “My mom gave me an idea. She said, ‘Matt, why don’t you do some card tricks and maybe you can meet some friends.’ I thought that was a pretty cool idea.” He thought that something like learning jokes to impress his friends was overrated and thought learning magic tricks was something that was more original. One of the first times that he showed his card tricks at Red Lion was in
a study hall. Matthew said, “One day my regular study hall got moved to different study where there were a bunch of seniors. My friends told me to do a trick for the seniors, so I did. Their reaction to my trick was like a normal teenager. They were amazed and jumped around and shouted, asking how I did that. People ask me all the time how I do a trick, but I never tell them.” Matthew’s most popular trick is the false-card trick. In this trick Matthew uses deception in order to single out the card of the person that the trick is being performed on by slowly segregating the person’s original card out from the rest using distraction techniques. This trick always provided a huge reaction from the person who the trick is being performed on. Not only have these card tricks helped Matthew meet some friends and get fans, it also has made him feel good about learning something new. “I feel very satisfied that people enjoy my card tricks. It feels good for me that people actually love my effort to learn the tricks.” Card tricks aren’t the only thing that he does. He is also involved in sports such as cross country, basketball, and lacrosse. He said the transition to the US was not that difficult but the one food he doesn’t really like is pizza. Matthew wants to continue to get better and to perform for more people as a hobby because it brings him a great sense of accomplishment that it brings people joy and amazes people of all ages.
“I feel very satisfied that people enjoy my card tricks.”
28
Reach Christian Schools
&nt www.reachschools.online
29
Spring Baseball March 22 March 24 March 27 March 29 April 5 April 10 April 12 April 14 April 17 April 19 April 24 April 26 May 1 May 3 May 8 May 10 May 15 May 17
Softball
Brandywine HS Charter School Delcastle HS Newark Charter School Woodbridge HS First State Military Academy Middletown HS Wilm Charter School Tower Hill School Charter School Caravel Academy St. Mark’s HS Conrad School First State Military Academy Conrad School Newark HS Tower Hill School Lake Forest HS
Zach Pancake
March 23 March 24 March 29 April 10 April 12 April 14 April 17 April 18 April 20 April 24 April 27 May 1 May 3 May 4 May 8 May 14 May 16
Padua Academy Charter School Newark Charter School First State Military Academy Middletown HS Indian River DE Military Academy DIAA Championship St. George’s Tech HS Archmere Academy Newark HS Concord HS MOT Charter HS Lake Forest HS Conrad School Delmarva Christian HS Caravel Academy
Boys Lacrosse
David Willis
March 22 March 29 April 5 April 10 April 12 April 14 April 17 April 21 April 23 April 26 May 1 May 3 May 8 May 10 May 15
Charter School Newark Charter School Tatnall School First State Military Academy Middletown HS Caravel Academy DE Military Academy Sanford School Lake Forest HS Mt. Pleasant HS Archmere Academy MOT Charter HS Conrad School AI Dupont HS Hodgson Vo-Tech Courtney Paolantonio
30
Reach Christian Schools
Sports Girls Lacrosse March 24 March 27 March 29 April 12 April 14 April 17 April1 9 April 23 April 27 May 1 May 4 May 8 May10 May 12 May 14
Newark Charter School Bohemia Manor HS Brandywine HS Mt. Pleasant HS St. Thomas More DE Military Academy Ursuline Academy Archmere Academy Sanford School Caravel Academy Christiana HS Conrad School Hodgson Vo-Tech Charter School of Wilmington AI duPont HS
Austin Barbin
Isabella Denk
Golf March 26 March 28 April 9 April 11 April 12 April 17 April 20 April 23 April 25 April 30 May 2 May 3 May 11 May 16
Newark Charter School Middletown HS MOT Charter HS AI duPont HS St. Mark’s HS Concord HS Archmere Academy DE Military Academy Delmarva Christian HS Tatnall School Salesianum School Mt. Pleasant HS St. George’s Tech HS Sanford School St. Elizabeth HS Conrad School Wilm Christian School Charter School Mt. Sophia Academy Tri-State Christian Academy Caravel Academy
Girls Soccer
Claudia Glover
March 23 March 26 March 29 April 12 April 14 April 16 April 19 April 23 April 27 April 30 May 2 May 4 May 7 May 9 May 11
Charter School Howard HS of Tech Newark Charter School Delmarva Christian HS St. Georges Tech HS William Penn HS DE Military Academy Archmere Academy Tri-State Christian Academy AI duPont HS Wilm Christian School MOT Charter HS Conrad School Christiana HS Glasgow HS
www.reachschools.online
31
RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1390 Red Lion Road Bear, DE 19701
Reach Worship CD on Sale Are you tired of the distractions pulling you away from Jesus? At Reach Church, we live by three simple words- Nothing But Jesus. So often, we add on to and complicate the good news found in Jesus with moralism and self-improvement. It’s easy to forget that Jesus Himself said, “It is finished!” Nothing But Jesus has the power to change our hearts and ultimately transform our lives. I pray that our original songs of worship help focus your life on Nothing But Jesus. “And I, when I came to you brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech and wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
– Reach Worship Download your copy of the original album from Reach Worship wherever digital music is sold!