Hill Country Educators for Christ

There are thousands upon thousands of Christian educators in our public schools who are quietly thinking they are alone. Many are scared that they will lose their jobs if there is any evidence of their Christianity while others feel like they are the only ones on their campus who love the Lord. Because there is so much misinformation about religion in the public schools, it is often a topic that no one wants to touch with a ten-foot pole. The reaction is typically, “You can’t talk about that here.” The good news is that we want our Christian educators to be Jesus in the public schools. There is no need to fear when you treat people that way Jesus would. Perhaps the best way to understand the power of walking your walk at school is to go on a retreat with other teachers. I had the privilege of bonding with the Hill Country Educators for Christ this weekend at a retreat at the Haven River Inn in Comfort, Texas.

The Hill Country Educators for Christ are a dedicated group of teachers who are reaching educators for Christ: to encourage them to recall and renew their passion and purpose; to help strengthen and support each other in our mission as educators.  We had a weekend long spiritual journey into prayer, the Word, creative projects, journaling, prayerwalking at the river’s edge and yummy food all wrapped in an environment of beauty and peace. Thank you so much to the planning team and the 19 new sisters I have who are pumped to go back to school with a renewed sense of grace.

Being a Christian educator in the private and public schools Is a high calling. If you are feeling like you are alone at your school, begin praying for a prayer partner. Consider inviting a few colleagues to form a prayer group before school starts or after school. This is a legal as gathering on your own time to plan a baby shower, a gathering for relaxation or any other opportunity to get together with those who share a common interest. I encourage you to take the high road and begin the process with the 1:16PM Prayer Movement for this school year. Learning to pray discreetly, reverently and silently for your school community is the foundation to growing relationships and the power of grace over your classroom and school.

Grace and peace to you as we close out summer vacation 2013 and gear up for the 2013-2014 school year.

Prayerfully dependent,

K

PS. We are asking you to practice 1:16PM this summer. For the 2013-2014 school year, we are asking every Christian in the public schools to stop and pray at 1:16PM. Based on Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile, we believe that this movement can be in every public school in America. The key is reverence and discretion. For more information, visit www.one16pray.com. Help us spread the word to your sphere of influence.

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.