WHAT IF…..

Through a series of books that I read about 7 years ago, I began to believe that high school students are capable of much more than I'd ever thought or imagined. One of the books talked about a type of learning where students actually did real work in the real world. After every story of a student doing incredible things, I thought, 'Oh my goodness…this is the way education ought to be.' Then, I had the opportunity to attend an education conference in San Diego that practiced this type of learning. 

It. Was. Amazing!

A few students were doing a project at one of the fire departments in the San Diego area. These innovative students simply noticed how hard firefighters had to work to roll up hoses and how brutal it was on their bodies. So they actually invented a device to help solve this problem!

What if there was a Christian school in the Lake Area that functioned like this? Moreover, the students would seek the Lord with all their heart and seeking Him for innovations in their particular field of interest. Students would hear almost daily that they were unique, powerful, and that God has an amazing plan for each one! In addition, students would hear from some of the best educators, preachers, business people, healthcare workers, and government leaders in the Lake Charles area and beyond.

What if?

REAL-LIFE PROJECT IN THE FINANCIAL ARENA

After meeting with and shadowing numerous professionals in the field, Luke and Steph decided to focus on real estate investing. In order to confirm this choice, one of the students shadowed both Stephanie Ryder and Nathan Rose. Eventually, we decided that Nathan Rose would serve as their mentor. The students began by mapping out this area, while driving and recording the addresses of possible investment properties. Students then returned to school to gather information from the tax assessor website, find the owners of the selected homes, and secure contact information. Next, the students began making calls to the owners. Although I made the first few calls to teach the students how to do it, eventually they began to make their own calls. Eventually, they found someone willing to sell and planned a meeting at the house with a general contractor. The story did not end in a sale but there was a great deal of real-life learning that took place.

CURRENT REAL-LIFE PROJECTS & PURSUITS

Scooby was in the 6th grade when he started at BCHS and he did an amazing job! Initially, he purchased a camera, talked to Leroy Tademy of Tademy’s Photography, and edited all the pictures on Boris’s (our shoe customizer) website and Etsy page to make them tons better and more eye-catching. Then, Scooby decided he wanted to look into the business of wrapping cars. In order to significantly reduce his startup costs, Scooby first began wrapping drinking cups. If you are interested in a drinking cup with LSU Tigers, your favorite scripture verse, or a picture of a 40 lb fish that you caught, please message me and I will have him reach out to you! Recently, he has begun to design and create vinyl stickers. He set up a vendor’s booth at the Sale Street Baptist Church car show and sold his stickers!

Pedro is definitely still exploring a bit, which is absolutely fine at Bethel. However, one interest that stood out was his interests in car and going to car shows. So he did his church's first-ever car show. And he did a phenomenal job! One day he was on the phone with a vendor and I remember thinking that Pedro is definitely in his element right now as he fully participated in this adult conversation. Meetings with volunteers. Advertising. Ad design. Speaking with vendors. This project had it all and Pedro did a great job!

Payton was super excited about an upcoming phlebotomy course starting in January! Her grandmother came up with this idea when she saw a Facebook ad (we believe that parents & family play an integral role in designing personalized curriculum!) Payton has helped a bit with Heaven in Healthcare, a ministry we started in November. Part of the purpose of this ministry is to encourage healthcare providers to seek God's supernatural solutions, while also offering the usual healthcare solutions.

FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL

I have mentioned students pursuing their interests, doing great projects, and doing meaningful internships because this is what we are known for. However, we are a full-service school and we also do our core subjects like math, public speaking, and language.

WHO’S THIS BRAD GUY?

I am a 4th generation educator and my father was the founding principal at Hamilton Christian Academy here in Lake Charles. So education has always been in my family. I also have a seminary degree and worked as a youth pastor for several years. Part of my God-given calling is helping young men and women come into their assignments (or find their unique calling), whatever that might be. As is the case with many adults who have come into their calling, my career path has definitely included wrong turns and challenges! But this is often the area where we find the greatest successes and breakthroughs (for example, some of the best addiction counselors are the ones who had to deal with and overcome their own addictions!). At the same time, I cannot do what I do without the help of parent(s), who have incredible, God-given wisdom and insights into their child(ren)! 

Please message me (Brad Moore) ASAP or text/ call 337-912-8319 if you have questions.