Partnering Together

Rarely do we think that some of the most challenging seasons to navigate as parents are not when things are difficult, but when things are going really well.

When our children are succeeding in school, when activities and schedules seem to align, or when life feels full of momentum, these seasons can quietly become the moments when we begin to drift.

Momentum can make us careless, and the conveniences that come with success can cause us to relax our guard. Sometimes decline begins quietly while we are still celebrating the wins.

As parents, it can be easy to assume that because things are going well externally, everything must also be strong internally. But seasons of blessing are often the very moments when our spiritual attentiveness matters most.

Psalm 125 reminds us where our stability comes from: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:1–2)

The Lord surrounds His people. He is our protector. He is our rock. He does not change when circumstances do. Then, Psalm 125 offers a quiet warning in verse 3, reminding us that the Lord restrains evil so that the righteous will not “stretch out their hands to do wrong.” Even when life is going well, our hearts must remain aligned with Him.

For parents, that means continuing the rhythms that shape our homes:

• Keep pointing your children to Jesus.

• Keep opening God’s Word together.

• Keep praying with them and for them.

• Keep modeling a life that depends on the Lord.

Success in school, activities, or athletics is a blessing, but it is never the ultimate goal. Our goal is that our children grow to love and follow Christ with their whole lives.

Psalm 128:4-6 states, “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!”

So in seasons when things are going well, steward that season carefully. Stay close to Jesus, and let your home remain anchored in the God who surrounds us and never changes.

Jesus is greater.

Kacey W. Chambers, MA
Head of School

Are We Determined?

Acts 19 gives us a glimpse into the determined life of the Apostle Paul. When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he entered a city shaped by Roman culture, commerce, and idol worship. The temple of Artemis stood there as one of the wonders of the ancient world, and religion had become intertwined with business and power. In many ways, Ephesus was a stronghold of spiritual darkness.

Yet Paul stepped into that city with courage. Acts tells us that he first spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months, reasoning with people about the kingdom of God. When opposition arose and hearts became hardened, Paul moved his teaching to a lecture hall known as the Hall of Tyrannus.

Historical accounts help us understand what happened next. In the Roman world, the workday typically began around seven in the morning, paused around eleven during the hottest part of the day, and resumed later in the afternoon. Some ancient manuscripts indicate that Paul used those midday hours, roughly eleven to four, to teach about Christ. Paul likely worked making tents in the morning, taught about Jesus during the midday break, and then returned to work again in the evening. Day after day, for two years, he kept this pace.

What goal was he working toward? It was not money or power. Acts 19:10 tells us the result: “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

This kind of impact did not come from convenience. It came from determination. Paul refused to give up or give in, even when the culture resisted the message of Christ. The Holy Spirit strengthened him, and God used his faithful perseverance to spread the gospel throughout the region.

Determination is something our culture often struggles with today. We live in a world that values comfort and quick results. But Jesus calls His followers to something different. He calls us to perseverance and to place Him above our personal desires.

Paul’s example reminds us that our role is to remain faithful so that darkness does not prosper. The same Holy Spirit who strengthened Paul strengthens us today. And when we remain faithful, God can use our lives to impact the world around us.

Jesus is greater!

Kacey W. Chambers, MA
Head of School

Did you know that many parents and guardians wrestle with feeling ill equipped to lead their children spiritually?

Research from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and the Barna Group confirms this reality. While most parents believe they are responsible for their child’s spiritual development, they feel underprepared or unsure to lead their child spiritually. I agree, that responsibility can feel overwhelming.

But here is what is equally true; we, as parents and guardians, have the single greatest opportunity to influence our children for Christ. The church and a Christ-centered education, like MCA, play a vital role, but they are not substitutes for the home. In fact, research shows that two out of three Christian teens say their mom is their greatest spiritual influence, and nearly half say the same of their dad. God did not accidentally entrust these children to us as parents. He chose us.

Yes, the calling is weighty. But we are not alone in it. Scripture reminds us that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He lifts us up (1 Peter 5:6). When we lack wisdom for the conversations, decisions, and moments in front of us, we are invited to ask, and He gives generously (James 1:5). Even in our weakness and uncertainty, His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). God does not call us to lead our children spiritually and then leave us to figure it out on our own. He equips those He calls.

As we faithfully pursue Jesus by opening His Word, gathering regularly with the Church, and seeking to reflect Him in the way we live, He graciously shapes and equips us. Spiritual leadership in the home is not built in a single moment. It is formed over time. Just as an athlete grows stronger through steady and consistent training, we are shaped through daily steps of obedience and dependence upon the Lord.

Our children desire our time and our conversations. If we invite Jesus into those conversations, He will lead and guide them. The Holy Spirit is at work in your child’s heart even more faithfully than we can see. We can rest in that.

Jesus is greater!

Kacey W. Chambers, MA
Head of School

C.S. Lewis once said, “To be loved by God, not merely pitied but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son, it seems impossible, a weight of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.”

There are some truths in Scripture that, if we slow down long enough to consider them, almost feel too glorious to take in. This is one of them. The Creator of heaven and earth, the One who spoke the world into existence and holds it together by His power, does not merely tolerate us. He does not simply put up with us in our weakness. He delights in us.

That almost feels too good to be true.

Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

The Lord rejoices over His children. He quiets us with His love. He sings over us. This is not the language of a distant or disappointed Father. This is the language of affection, joy, and deep covenant love.

He delights in us not because we are flawless, not because we always respond perfectly, and not because we fully understand His ways. He delights in us because we are His. Through our imperfections, our brokenness, our insecurities, and even the vulnerabilities we try to hide, His love does not waver.

I pray this week that you would rest in that kind of love. The God of all creation knows you completely and delights in you. Share this truth with your children and watch the peace and security that can begin to settle over their hearts.

Sincerely,

Kacey W. Chambers, MA
Head of School

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Worldview Parent Night. It was a fantastic evening, and I am grateful for the way our MCA community continues to lean in and engage the calling God has placed on us as parents.  

We were blessed to hear from Ben Schettler, founder and CEO of The Center for Truth in Love, who spoke powerfully about reaching the next generation and the importance of shepherding our children under the guidance of the absolute truth of God’s Word. His message was hopeful, reminding us that while the cultural challenges facing Gen-Z are real, the truth of Scripture remains firm, sufficient, and life-giving.

In partnership with FBCIT, we are excited to offer a four-week follow-up series that will dive deeper into Ben’s research: Helping Navigate Gen-Z Through the Cultural Lies They Are Facing. Whether you attended last night or not, I encourage you to join us for this wonderful opportunity. An image with full details for the upcoming class is included below. 

Sessions will be held on Wednesdays, February 18 through March 11, from 6:30–8:00 PM in the Sossamon Chapel. 

The purpose of this four-week class is to better understand the foundational lies confronting Gen-Z and to learn practical, biblical ways to lovingly point them toward truth. The series will be led via video by Ben Schettler, and each evening will include small-group discussion with other like-minded parents.  Some of the key questions Ben will address include:

 - What foundational lies are effectively deceiving Gen-Z?

 - How do we prepare Gen-Z to thrive in a season of cultural decline?

 - What role does human identity play in the worldview of Gen-Z?

 - How can we help Gen-Z navigate anxiety and depression?

 - How do we lead Gen-Z to make their faith their own?  

Children and student programming will be available during this time as well.  

My prayer is that this series would encourage you, equip you, and remind you that you are not alone in this calling. It is a blessing to partner together as families, the church, and the school as we point the next generation to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Kacey W. Chambers, MA
Head of School