James 1:17–18 (NIV) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to
give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he
created.
James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because
you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
It was a true joy to celebrate another Educator’s Sunday this past weekend at Integrity
church. This year’s celebration was a dedication service, a testament to the unwavering
dedication of our teachers and educational workers. On Sunday we prayed specifically for
God’s blessing and protection over our teachers and educational support workers. Down
through the years, we have been so fortunate to have so many teachers and educational
support workers as a part of the Integrity family. We have always had a strong presence of
public and private school teachers, and a good number of homeschool teachers. In the past
five or so years, we have welcomed a growing number of homeschool moms and dads and
their families into our community. We appreciate so much ALL their sacrifices in children
being taught well!
Integrity also enjoys some great educational partnerships, and we are seeing significant
growth among our educational partners through the 2024-2025 academic year. The
Playschool@Integrity will be serving over 60 families this year, having grown to its largest
student population yet. Our Alamance Christian School elementary satellite campus now
serves 75 students, an increase of 25%
over last year’s numbers. Both of these educational partners will see continual growth in
the coming years. We are excited to serve families as they entrust their children to us.
Having been married to a teacher for the past 41 years, I can attest to the pressures-and the
joys – of teaching children, not only academically but spiritually and culturally. I have seen
first-hand the dedication that these men and women display. One of the great inequities in
our society is the market pay differential between teachers and their counterparts in the
business world. If the truth were told, we would have to recognize that those who are so
engaged in the development of our children should be more highly compensated for their
contribution to our society. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices that teachers make, and we
thank them for their unwavering commitment.
This year’s Educator Sunday featured a visit from Alamance County’s own Hal Capps. Hal
is an iconic high school football coach who led Western Alamance to four consecutive state
championship games. He was able to bring home the title in one of those years. Hal also
had successful stints in Mooresville, NC, and in South Carolina. Hal’s humor struck a
familiar chord with our crowds in both services. He reminded our teachers of their high
calling and their importance in God’s plan for our society. Hal also shared a personal story
of his commitment to Christ in standing for Biblical principles and obedience over man’s
schemes. We have a new, wonderful friend in Coach Capps.
Also, as a very nice touch for our educators, Playschool Director MaryJo Pollard and her
team decorated a ‘teachers’ room’ and provided coffee and donuts for educators. So many
of them expressed their joy as this gesture made them feel genuinely appreciated. We thank
the Lord for our educators and educational support workers, no matter the particular
educational context they serve in. All of them are critical to the growth of our children and
the development of a civilized and Godly society. Let’s pray for God’s protection for all of
them this school
year and beyond. The enemy would like nothing more than to hinder God’s work through
these precious Integrity educators and educational support workers.
Thank YOU for your support and your faithful prayers as you lift them up!
John 8:31–32 tells us ‘ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my
disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free.” I am quite proud of our Integrity educators, who are true disciples,
and who are committed to the truth that IS Jesus Christ!
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