Faith in Action

Trinity School’s Christian Mission Inspires a New Generation

Trinity School’s Christian mission has a rich history of inspiring students to deepen their faith and develop a close relationship with God. One teacher, Ricky Oliver, has become a living testament to this mission. His powerful story of trust, obedience, and love continues to impact the lives of the next generation of students.

A Leap of Faith

Ricky Oliver’s journey began in March 2020, when he felt God’s call to leave his job at Trinity as a Middle School teacher. As the pandemic unfolded, he prayed about how God would guide him. “I sincerely asked and waited for an answer, and the Lord said, ‘I want you to resign from Trinity.’ I’m like, ‘Huh?’” Despite his love for working at Trinity, he trusted in God’s plan and resigned. Soon after, Ricky and his wife found themselves in a unique position to care for his wife’s great-niece and nephews, who desperately needed a loving home. The couple welcomed the chil-

By Nathan Clendenin

dren into their lives, becoming surrogate parents and providing them with the love and support they needed.

The Return and Impact

A year later, Mr. Oliver felt ready to re-enter the workforce. He had a few interviews that didn’t go well and felt led to ask God for an employer to call him. Ricky recalls, “Sure enough, Dr. Hall reached out to me and said, ‘We have a position open for an eighth grade Bible course. Would you be interested?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah!’” So he returned to Trinity and resumed teaching with an even stronger sense of commitment and calling.

One of his former students, Khiley, had taken his class during her middle school years and learned the invaluable skill of hearing the voice of God. Later in high school, when she faced a struggle with her faith, Khiley was able to recognize God's voice during a weekly worship service, which helped her regain her footing in her spiritual journey. She shares, “Had I not been in that class, I wouldn’t have been able to attribute that to God and just really see that God is working.”

Passing on the Mission

Ricky Oliver’s story demonstrates the power of trust and obedience, and the importance of passing on the Christian mission to the next generation. His unwavering faith in God, even when faced with uncertainty, has not only changed the lives of his own family but also continues to inspire students like Khiley.

As the Trinity School community witnesses the impact of Ricky’s faith and dedication, our Christian mission is being carried forward. It nurtures young minds and hearts to walk closely with the Lord and make a positive difference in the world.

Continue the Story…

Khiley and Mr. Oliver’s heartwarming story was first unveiled during the presentation of the Board of Trustees’ Strategic Plan for the school's upcoming years. To watch their incredible journey unfold on video and learn more about Trinity School’s strategic plan, visit https://trinity-sp.org

NATHAN CLENDENIN serves in the Advancement Office as Trinity’s Assistant Director of Advancement for Marketing and Communications. A husband, father of four children, and Trinity parent, he loves a great podcast and can be found listening while training for the annual Blue Ridge Relay.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Upper School