glimmers of the eternal
Dear Brothers and Sisters ,
As we look back on the 2023-24 school year at CPA , we can definitely say the CPA community experienced some unique challenges . Yet , we can also affirm that God met us in those moments to sustain and guide our leaders and to uphold our mission . Our mission – assisting Christian families in helping students come to know God , evaluate all knowledge and all life by His truth , and live transformed by His truth for His glory — is at the forefront of all Academy life , arts , athletics , academics , spiritual life , and strategic initiatives . I believe there is no higher mission than this !
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 tell us “ for what we proclaim is not ourselves , but Jesus Christ as Lord , with ourselves as your servants for Jesus ’ sake … for God … has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ .”
In one of his better-known sermons , C . S . Lewis once preached that “ there are no ordinary people ” performing Kingdom work . Lewis tells us that “ you have never talked to a mere mortal ”, rather it is “ immortals ” who are doing the Kingdom work around you every day , and by God ’ s grace we see glimmers of these everlasting splendors . As I reflect on this last school year , I can attest that I saw glimmers of the immortal Kingdom work at the Academy . The weight of glory rests on our shoulders as a holy purpose , divinely aligned , and not thrown off course by worldly circumstance .
What a gleaming moment in the Arts , as we culminated 27 years of choral director Lynn Jung . Lynn reminded us of the power of voices working together as she conducted her final Vision benediction at Commencement this year . Her musical gifts paired with her heart for students leave fingerprints of an Almighty Creator .
We saw glimmers on the football field when every athlete in every play pushed together towards a common goal : victory , with a shared purpose : to glorify God . Coach Ingle Martin teaches them the elements of football , but it is in the consistency of training where a young man ’ s character , discipline , and boldness begins to resemble that of his Creator . The State Championship win is an earthly shadow of the victory won on our behalf by a Victor who is undefeated .
The weight of God ’ s glory is borne by teachers like Stephanie Garrett , looking back on 27 years of teaching World Language . Her work , year after year , minimized cultural barriers between CPA students and the world beyond our campus . She instructed students on international culture and the Spanish language , but more importantly , she equipped them to carry the gospel far and wide . To use Lewis ’ language , Garrett ’ s teaching is “ hacking and pruning ” to create “ tall trees
4 PURPLE & GOLD 2023-24