LCA Blog

October 2025

2 Corinthians 8:21 - "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men". 

While academics are very important in preparing children for the future, there is something that is just as important that is often overlooked.  That is character education.  Character education can help students to develop and practice values such as responsibility, perseverance, kindness, respect, and honesty. 

Reasons Character Education is Important

It helps students to succeed academically.  When students know that they are respected and supported, they will be more engaged and focused on their academic studies. Research has shown that when students learn perseverance and responsibility, they have improved test scores and higher grades. 

• Students will have a healthier mindset when they are taught to view their mistakes as opportunities to learn.  When they are given grace and the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, they will have less anxiety and worry.  
• Students will have healthier relationships with their parents, classmates, and teachers when they learn to communicate and have respect for others.  
• As adults, they will have the self-discipline, confidence, and motivation to reach their goals.  
• They will be more successful in their careers when they have practiced teamwork, accountability, credibility, and resilience.  These are all important skills to have in any workplace! 

 

Ways Parents and Teachers can Help

• Parents and teachers can help students to learn these skills by modeling them in their own lives.  When students see the adults in their lives modeling integrity, kindness, and respect, they see these as important skills to incorporate into their own lives. 
• Teachers and parents can work together to be consistent and fair in discipline.  For example, if students are held accountable for their actions at school, parents can also hold them accountable at home for the same actions.  Have open communication where expectations can be shared between school and home.  
• In the same way, parents and teachers can also be consistent in the praise given for positive behaviors.  When students receive praise and recognition for positive behaviors, they will be more likely to repeat them.  
• When schools and families work together, we can raise kids that are not just smart, but resilient, compassionate, and socially responsible.  We can send children out into the world equipped to be who God created them to be with the skills to be successful in the workplace and in their communities.  Matthew 5:16 says to "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."   By working together, we can help students to shine bright for Jesus throughout their lives! 

Erin Gaglione, Director of Early Education
egaglione@libertychristianacademy.org

 

 

 

September 2025 

A Higher Calling

As Christ followers, we are called to live differently. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Reading Paul's words, you sense that he is leaving no room for half-hearted efforts or casual living. We are called to a higher standard of excellence because our work, our words, and our interaction are an act of worship to God.

Excellence in Every Area of Life

This call to excellence is not just about what happens inside a church service or inside a classroom. It's about how we live every part of our lives. Paul writes in Philippians 1:27, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Esther 4:14 challenges us to consider, "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" We are here right now, placed in our roles as parents, teachers, coaches, and leaders and we are called to live with excellence for God's glory this very season. 

When we live this calling out, excellence becomes visible in many ways like: in how we interact with teachers, how we as parents encourage one another, how we speak to our children's coaches and how we disciple our children to treat other students. Our children observe as we model respect, humility, and gratitude. Excellence touches every corner of our daily lives and relationships. 

A Lesson I Learned as a Teenager

I remember listening to a pastor when I was a teenager who said, "What God calls you to, He equips you for. If He gives you a task, He gives you all the tools you need to complete it. We are called to use those tools to the best of our ability to bring Him glory." That truth has stayed with me. He went on to say, "God may call one person to build a church on foreign soil and another to clean the toilets in their local church. Either way, the calling is the same. We are called to live out excellence. The task may look different, but the heart posture should be the same. Our desire should be to bring God glory. Whether the work is seen or unseen, small or great, our cry should be to do it with excellence."

Why Excellence Matters

We are not striving for perfection for its own sake, but rather because excellence honors Christ. It reflects His character in us. Our children our watching, and they are learning not only from what we say but from how we live. If they see us model respect, kindness, a servant heart, and humility in our interactions, they will learn that excellence is not just a task, it's a calling.

Practical Ways to Disciple Children in Excellence

Here are a few practical ways:

1. Model Excellence in Everyday Tasks

Show your children that excellence is not about big achievements, but about faithfulness in the small things. This could be as simple as being on time, speaking with kindness, completing school work with care, or showing gratitude.

2. Teach Them to See Their Work as Worship

Homework, chores, or helping a sibling are opportunities to remind your child that these are opportunities God has given us to serve others. They are not duties that we simply fulfill, but opportunities to serve the Lord and bring Him glory.

3. Encourage Respectful Interactions

Help model for your children excellence in relationships. Show your children what it looks like to listen well, speak truth in love, show grace when conflicts arise, and honor authority figures like teachers or coaches.

4. Celebrate Effort Done Well

Recognize not only the grade on a paper, but also the diligence, perseverance, and attitude displayed while completing it. Make sure you are recognizing the process as well as the result.

5. Pray Together for Excellence

Make prayer a daily habit. Ask God for help. Pray to be a family that honors Him in words, actions, and attitudes.

Living for Such a Time as This

When we commit ourselves to living out Paul's challenge to do everything as unto the Lord and remember Esther's reminder that God has positioned us for such a time as this, we are not only obeying God's commands but also shaping the next generation to live with the same intentionality. Let's fully embrace our calling to excellence and make it visible in the way we serve, speak, and love one another.  

Mary Glenn, Elementary Principal
mglenn@libertychristianacademy.org

 

 

August 2025

I recently asked our first-year faculty during onboarding, "Have you ever wondered what your life's mission is?" Most of us have wrestled with that question at some point.

In the classic TV series Mission: Impossible, a team of agents would receive an assignment each week. There mission was always high-risk, but clear: here's the problem, here's your role, and here's what success looks like.

As believers, our mission is not a mystery - and it's not optional, Jesus made it clear in all four Gospels:

• Matthew 29:19-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."
• Mark 16:15 - "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
• Luke 24:47 - "...that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached..."
• John 20:21 - "As the Father has sent me, I also send you."

Making disciples isn't just a "moment of decision." It's ongoing training, walking alongside others, and teaching them how to live for Christ. As the Message paraphrases Matthew 28:19 - "Go out and train everyone you meet... in this way of life."

Our Mission

At Liberty Christian Academy, our mission is simple yet life-shaping:

To provide a quality Christian education in a Christ-centered environment in order to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve God and impact the world through Biblical thought and action.

REACHING students for Christ.

EQUIPPING students to serve God.

IMPACTING our community and the world.

This year, we're keeping that mission clear by focusing on three stages of a student's journey:

Build the Foundation (Elementary School) - Partnering with you to establish a firm Biblical and academic base.

Navigate the Development (Middle School) - Walking with students through critical seasons of change.

Set the Trajectory (High School) - Preparing them to launch into the world with purpose and conviction.

And throughout all these stages, we are committed to making every moment matter - measuring the minutes, mastering the moments, and maximizing the movement.

Amanda Cecil, Head of School
acecil@libertychristianacademy.org

 

 

 

 

July 2025

At the heart of every thriving Christian school is a shared foundation of faith - and at the center of that faith is prayer. Prayer is more than a ritual or tradition. It's our direct line to God, our source of strength, wisdom, and peace. In a school setting, prayer becomes a unifying force that shapes not only individual hearts but the entire culture of our community.

Why Prayer Matters

Prayer reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. As students face academic pressures, teachers carry the responsibility of shaping minds, and parents navigate the challenges of raising children in today's world, prayer anchors us in God's presence. It keeps our focus on Christ, invites God into our everyday routines, and fosters an atmosphere of humility, compassion, and love.

Prayer as a Daily Practice

In our school, we strive to make a prayer a daily practice - not out of obligation, but out of relationship. Whether it's starting the day with a morning prayer, lifting up concerns in Bible class, or offering quiet moments between classes, these simple practices open space for God to work in our lives.

Encouraging students to pray not only builds spiritual maturity but also teaches dependence on God. Prayer cultivates gratitude, resilience, and empathy. It allows students to bring their hopes, fears, and dreams before the Lord, knowing they are heard and loved.

Praying as a Community

When we pray together - as classmates, teachers, staff, and families - we witness the power of unity in Christ. Community prayer binds us together in purpose and spirit. It breaks down barriers, nurtures empathy, and reminds us that we're never alone in our struggles or celebrations.

Whether it's praying for a sick family member, asking for peace during exams, or praising God for answered prayers, our collective conversations with God deepen our bonds and encourage a culture of grace.

Inviting God into Every Corner

As a Christian school, we want God's presence to saturate every part of our day - not just during Bible class or chapel. That's why we invite students to pray before sports events, during art projects, in science labs, and even during challenging moments of discipline and correction. God cares about every corner of our lives, and prayer brings Him into each one. 

A Call to pray Together 

To parents, teachers, and staff: your prayers make a difference. Your words of blessing, intercession, and encouragement help create the spiritual climate in which our children grow. Keep praying for wisdom, protection, and spiritual growth for every student and leader in our school.

To our students: don't be afraid to pray badly. God delights in hearing your voice - whether whispered in quiet moments or spoken aloud in faith-filled community.

How can all of us pray together more? Join our LCA prayer wall today! Joining the prayer wall allows you to share prayer requests and pray for the needs of others in our school community. Click HERE to sign up today! 

Let's continue to be a school that prays - a place where God is invited, honored, and glorified in all we do. 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." - Colossians 4:2

Melanie Gilliland, Director of Spiritual Life
mgilliland@libertychristianacademy.org
 

 

June 2025

 

A Year-End Reflection from Amanda Cecil, Head of School

 

As the final bell rings on this school year at Liberty Christian Academy, I find myself reflecting on what we've shared - and more importantly, what God has done. The heartbeat of this year has been captured in our theme: Moments That Matter.

 

Why? Because at LCA, we believe something powerful: when we measure the minutes, we begin to master the moments, and ultimately, maximize the moment God is creating through our students, our families, and our mission.

 

Every school day - every chapel, every conversation, every classroom challenge - became an opportunity to partner with families in something far greater than just education. It became a chance to build a foundation, navigate development, and set a trajectory that will shape a young person's life forever.

 

This year, we've seen that play out beautifully:

• In elementary, where we partnered with parents to lay the foundation - not only academically, but spiritually and socially.
• In middle school, as we walked with students through the often-complicated season of growth and identity, helping them stay rooted in God's truth.
• In high school, where every day mattered as students prepared for what's next, not just with transcripts, but with testimony.

 

We saw students flourish - discovering who they are in Christ and how they are called to live. Teachers faithfully created spaces where students could ask hard questions and encounter timeless truths in a timeless way. And as a community, we continued to prioritize what matters most: wisdom over culture, character over glamour, and holiness over image.

 

This year we also marked the beginning of some bold and exciting new steps forward:

• In April, we hosted our first-ever Liberty Christian Gala, where we cast the vision for the future of our campus and shared our master site plan. That night wasn't about programs or buildings - it was about partnership and preparing to tell an even bigger, better, bolder story together. Future Galas will carry that mission forward through focused fundraising for the next phase of our growth.
• Just weeks later, we gathered again - this time to break ground on our elementary building addition. This was more than a construction milestone; it was a visible reminder of God's faithfulness and provision, and our commitment to steward the future for the next generation.

 

As we look ahead, I'm reminded of a simple truth from Ephesians 5: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best of the time..."

 

That's our calling. To make the best use of every day. To sow seeds in soft soil. To remove the rocks and thorns, and to trust God with the harvest - thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.

 

So thank you. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief that Christian education is worth the investment. At LCA, we're not just teaching students - we're partnering with you in the minutes, the moments, and the movement of raising up young men and women who will impact the world for Christ. 

 

Have a joy-filled, restful summer. We look forward to all God has in store.

 

With gratitude and hope.

Amanda Cecil, Head of School
acecil@libertychristianacademy.org

May 2025

When I was asked to write this blog, I was encouraged to speak on this topic even further. On April 30th, I was invited to speak at the chapel for our middle and high school classes. I felt the Lord calling me to preach on the topic of Do Something.

Now, you may ask, "Carson, who is doing something?" Some people may think it's us as Christians- but I see it differently. It is a prayer to God, asking Him to do something we can't explain.

We often hear those miracle stories- the ones that defy explanation. It's always encouraging to know that we still serve a God who performs miracles. We often get caught up in the other things of life that distract us from this point, but it's true. We serve a miracle working God.

The second point I focused on was truly preparing our hearts for what God can do. I want to know my God, and I don't want Him to not know me. It's a relationship, and the passage in Ephesians 3:20 speaks directly to this point. This verse has been a life verse for me, and I really enjoyed speaking on it.

Lastly, I wanted to talk about how we should ask God to do something. He can do abundantly more than all we ask or think, and I hold tightly to that promise. God is God- He doesn't change. He is able to do and produce more and more and more than we can imagine.

 

Carson Crabtree
2025 LCA Senior.