A Shannon Forest Christian School 35th Birthday
to Remember!
HEADLINE STORY
Monday, May 3, 2004
The Varsity Baseball team was cheered on to
victory by hundreds of fans. Children bounced and
spun. Hair
and
faces were painted with bright colors. Games were played.
BBQ, hotdogs, cotton candy and snow cones were enjoyed
by the pound. Cakes were won. Music flowed from WALK
103.9 and nova77, and sweet treats were served up in
Sheri’s Coffee & Smoothie Shop. Last Friday,
April 30, Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) was
alive with the fellowship of alumni, faculty, parents
and community friends as we gave thanks to our Lord
for 35 years of excellence in Christian education!
Rejoicing
in the celebration was the founder of SFCS, Pastor
Al Lutz and his wife Julie. Planting the seeds for
new churches
and Christian schools seems to have been a life mission
for the Lutz’. In fact it was Julie (Belz) Lutz’ parents
that gave Pastor Lutz his first and memorable experience
with the value of Christian education. When the Lord
led the Lutz’ to Greenville, South Carolina and
Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church - PSA (SFPC), He also
sent the message to Lutz that, “ the children of
church families and other Christians in the community
needed to be trained and educated by fellow Christians.” The
biggest growth to our new school, later called Shannon
Forest Christian School (SFCS), came in 1970 when six
grades were added and the student population grew from
15 to 135 students in the blink of an eye. “The
amazing thing was the Lord’s providence as a full
classroom complex and building was built,” said
Lutz. The biggest challenge, according to Lutz was keeping
up with the growth and providing sufficient classroom
space.
The Lutz’ left Greenville in 1983 and settled
in Lexington, Kentucky, to seed another church – Tates
Creek Presbyterian Church (PSA) in 1984 and Trinity Christian
Academy followed in 1985. That school is now the home
to 400 students and last spring they celebrated their
first graduating class. This wonderful couple is not
yet done with their mission as they have now settled
in Bluffton, South Carolina to serve at Okatie Presbyterian
Church (PCA). It is no surprise to learn that plans are
on the table to start a new Christian School. Lutz concluded
with his belief that, “ When children go to a good
Christian school, they learn about the REAL world – the
world under God’s sovereign power, God’s
Truth and
abiding love.”
Golf Marathon Update!
The total funds raised
for the Thursday, May 13, SFCS Golf Marathon has grown
to
$14,180 (as of Saturday, April 29)! All golfers and
their caddies
will receive a prestigious green golf shirt classically
displaying the SFCS logo (just like Mr. Whaley wears),
as well as lots of prizes for their efforts! If you
would like to support any of our golfers as they
each try to raise $1000 for our school, please call
Steve
Whaley at
864-678-5113.
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