Dear Fellow Patriots,
This is Brandon and Stephanie Walsh, parents to Brody (2nd) and Peter (K) as well as Lucy who is sure to be a future Patriot. We are writing to you as the 2nd-5th grade representatives for the Habersham Fund Parent Committee and wanted to share with you the heart behind our “why.”
Every person is wired with two basic desires: to “belong” and to “matter.” This fuels each decision we make and is true not only of us but each soul that walks the halls of the Habersham School. As believers, we know that Jesus is the sole fulfillment of these desires. It’s when we look to Jesus and “buy in” to what he has called us to, the countercultural idea of giving yourself away, that we feel a sense of worth and fulfillment. What is required to do so? In one word, sacrifice. It’s what was required of Jesus in order to restore our relationship with God, and it’s what Jesus has called us to as well. We have to sacrifice our ideas and concepts of truth and surrender to the ultimate Truth. We must prioritize building up Christ’s eternal kingdom rather than focus on building our own. This requires us to shift our paradigm from a temporal to an eternal view.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 Paul tells the church of Thessalonica that when Christ stops history, his boast and joy will be in the souls of those who came to Jesus as a result of the gospel proclaimed on his missionary journey. This is the very practical heart and mission of The Habersham School, to “partner with God as His servants in seeking the restoration of His image through education.” We see this on a daily basis as teachers help fulfill the Ephesians 4:15-16 command, of “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint is with which its equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” This passage also emphasizes this being a collaborative effort, with the purpose of promoting growth. When the body is cared for and works together God’s love is spread further. This is exactly the sacred mission we are all called to, and the opportunity in front of us.
Stephanie and I have rejoiced with John who in 3rd John said “I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” Our eyes have welled with tears at the simplicity of hearing our boys recite scripture they’ve learned in class, or to hear them praying for the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts. It is easy to overlook the nuance of the liturgy built into each school day, but these instilled habits prepare for a lifetime of impact.
Discipling these little image-bearers is very much worth our time, effort, and resources.
It takes intentional stewardship and sacrificial giving. At the moment, Habersham tuition alone does not cover the complete costs of education, rather the school relies on the Habersham Fund to make up the difference. Why have Stephanie and I decided to support the Habersham Fund? Simply put, we have felt called to step out in faith and sacrificially give toward the mission of our school. Without the Habersham Fund, there would be limited support for staff, tuition assistance, and programs offered which become part of the framework that makes our school impactful and set apart. If not fully funded, the school body simply is ill-equipped and less able to reach souls as effectively for Christ.
Ultimately there are many good and kingdom-focused ways to steward our money. Our hope is that you would prayerfully consider joining us in giving toward the Habersham Fund. In God’s economy, even a small faithful gift can have an exponential impact, as evidenced throughout scripture.
In light of a broken world tempting children to find their sense of belonging in worldly ways, partner with us to produce a generation that remains grounded in Truth and able to shed light in an ever-darkening society. What a blessing it will be on the day of Christ’s return to look around and see generations of people blessed by your faithfulness to steward your financial resources for furthering the gospel’s reach.
Your servants in Christ,
Brandon and Stephanie Walsh
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