Why Have A Christian School?

Greater Portland Christian Academy is founded on the principle that the education of our children is a mandate that God gave to parents and the local church, not the government.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 says "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. "

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Historically, churches have played a vital role in the American educational process. In the past 50 years there has been a re-awakening of that early American ideal of education, namely the Church School.

Education in America began in its churches, with the church house serving as the school house during the week. Many times the Pastor served as both teacher and preacher.

Academic excellence and character development was the primary focus in these early American schools, with the Bible playing as the absolute authority in the process.

Even a century after the beginning of government sponsored "public" schools, the Christian influence was still present. Right and wrong were still taught, teachers were held to high moral standards, and the Bible was read and memorized in class.

This direct influence of Christianity and Christian principles continued to affect America in a good way, producing some of the finest minds the world has ever known! The result was that America was blessed by God and became the leading nation in the world in every area of endeavor. 

In 1963, with no precedent in American court history, the Supreme Court radically altered the way that Americans could legally educate their children in the "public" school. They in affect "kicked" God and the Bible out of school!

Although it took another twenty or so years to rid the public schools of the Christian influence that had helped make them so great, nine liberal judges finally succeeded! Nine Supreme Court justices robbed America of her Christian heritage and sent American education back into the Dark Ages.  

Since then, test scores and performance have tumbled, behavior has deteriorated, and morality and godly living are for all practical purposes become extinct. Now almost 50 years after God was kicked out, American government schools have become a battleground upon which many school children have died at the hands of their own classmates! Most American public schools now have full-time security or policemen on campus just to keep the peace!! 

Although there are many fine Christian people teaching in public schools, sadly their hands are tied, and they are personally limited when it comes to having the freedom to teach or express their faith to their students and teach them from God's Word.

According to the Bible, God commands Christian parents to educate their children in the ways of the Lord from birth, until they become responsible adults. (Prov. 22:6; Deut.6:7-9) 

As Bible Believing Christians, we believe that we must be allowed to teach our children in the ways of the Lord daily and regularly. This is our religious conviction, and we are committed to that end. This is why we have a Christian School.

It is the express purpose of GPCA to be a compliment to every parent that has the desire to obey God in the pursuit of this most noble endeavor!

Pastor Rick Adams, Principal

GPCA