AVC’s Warriors

It was an interesting thing tonight, going to watch my high school alma mater play their homecoming basketball game. Yes, I said homecoming and basketball in the same sentence. As it turns out, Apple Valley Christian is still such a small school that football is not an option… and therefore the homecoming game is played out on the Basketball court in January. It was the same way when I was in high school, and the school was actually bigger back then.

This little school, however, is a book that should NOT be judged by its cover. I am sure someone in the front office would have the official statistics, but from the people I personally know who have graduated from AVC the quality of Christian Leaders who have risen from their halls are amazing. There are graduates of Service Academies, Lawyers, Doctors, University Professors, Pastors & Missionaries all who, at one time or another, were members of a class of no more than 30 kids.

The reason I bring all this up is not so much to brag about my old high school, but to honor the leaders who serve there.

You see, the most amazing thing about going back to a high school basketball game is looking almost 15 years into my past and realizing that the very people who helped shape me into the man I am today are still pouring themselves into the future leaders of our country and churches. The Mr. Lockwoods, Mr  & Mrs Huffs, Ms Sims, Mr. Watsons, and Pastor Richarts of the world work for somewhere around 25%-40% of what they could be making doing the same job somewhere else and 10%-20% of what they could be making doing something, anything else. These loving servants spend countless hours writing lesson plans, grading papers, praying for students, and caring for one child right after another… and will probably never know how many lives have been changed for the better because of them.

Mr. Lockwood taught me that history matters, and those who fail to learn it will repeat the mistakes of those who failed before them.

Mr. Huff taught me how to prepare like an engineer, compete like a warrior, and yet still have the heart of a child.

Mrs. Huff taught me math (SOH, CAH, TOA), how to enjoy the little things in life, and what it means to love sacrificially.

Ms. Sims taught me Apologetics, Hermeneutics, and that being a little late to 1st period was ok as long as you brought doughnuts for everyone.

And Mr. Watson taught me that even those who have the most brilliant of minds should still be those with the most humble of hearts.

Looking back, I am sure I was not the easiest student to have (I probably really did think I knew everything at the age of 16), but somehow, these men and women found a way lovingly lead me, point me towards Jesus, and then cheer me on as I launched out into life.

So if you ever get a chance, drop by Apple Valley Christian School. Catch a ball game or listen in a chapel… You might find that there is nothing there that will really blow you away (except for maybe the desert winds), but I guarantee you that you will never find a more committed group of men and women, lovingly serving, joyfully teaching, and expertly training… Christian Leaders Committed to Excellence.