years ago, you could interview five applicants and have three
qualified for the position with two of them having a sense of
drive and a persevering attitude to get the job done. Today,
there may be ten people interviewed for the same position
with one of those being a possibility. Our culture has failed
the last generation in giving them a sense of entitlement and
too many free passes. The contagion of a negative, selfish
perspective will spread and affect, not only the person exhibit-
ing it but an entire office more quickly than wildfire. Many
factors contribute to the end result of
“As I walk into my office each morn-
an adult’s character, but I truly believe
ing, I can’t help but notice my wall
that a core cause is the education
filled with pictures and notes from my
process.
daughters. As a mother, it’s easy to feel
I have confidence that with a Christ-
like you may very well have the most
“As an employer, I covet
based education, my children are being
well-behaved, above-average children
trained
to work hard, persevere when
a generation that seeks
in the room (putting all bias aside of
struggles arise and pursue any project
course). However, as I read through
to work with passion
with diligence and a positive attitude.
these notes they are filled with tributes
and positivity.”
As a mother, I pray they grow into
to my Lord: scripture, graphics depict-
productive adults who place Christ as
ing the cross, notes referencing true
Lord of their lives in every aspect. As
character qualities such as surrender,
an employer, I covet a generation that
forgiveness, and love.
seeks to work with passion and posi-
My husband and I choose to send
tivity. I have been charged with two
our children to a private Christian school. That decision does
members of that future generation and providing Christian
not come lightly as it sometimes requires sacrifices in other
education is the least I can do to ensure they grow in wisdom
areas. To us, it is worth any sacrifice, and in the long run, will
and stature.”
not be a sacrifice at all.
I see the world around me rapidly morphing into a place
As a business owner, I have chosen to get involved with
that is not familiar to me. I see the youth of today’s culture
Renewanation because of the excellent young men and
being faced with decisions and situations at a very young age
women they are producing through their work in Christian
that most adults were not aware of until later teenage years.
education. These potential new employees have a Christian
It is beyond important that my children are able to function
view of work and have the character to lead my company
in that world from a basis of love and the ability to face the
into the future. Imagine the influence on society and
challenges of life with a worldview that is seen through the
business when millions of these Christian educated young
prism of Christ.
people become available to the workforce. So you see, from
My girls are learning more than science, math, and English
a business perspective, Christian education really does
each day. They are challenged to think for themselves but
matter.
always cross-reference what they think with what the Bible
says. They are taught to put others first before themselves,
Gary Feazell is the owner of F&S Building Innovations, Inc. and
encourage one another, and above all else, put Christ first. A
co-owner of Premium Steel Buildings of Roanoke, Virginia. He
positive attitude is encouraged at every turn.
was a founding member of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber
of Commerce and Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy. He
As an employer, hiring new personnel and managing the
has served on the board of the Roanoke Regional Home Build-
ers Association, the board of Lakeside Baptist Church, and as a
same has its difficulties but the most challenging is the rapid
Ministry Team Leader for Palestine Baptist Church and is a current
depletion of kindness, character, and good old-fashioned work
member of the Renewanation board. Gary and his wife, Delores, have three children
and ten grandchildren. They live in Moneta, Virginia.
ethic. It is quickly becoming virtually non-existent. Just a few
We all want our children to become productive adults.
Delores and I have three daughters: Alicia, Jennifer, and
Michelle along with three great son-in-laws, Jeremy, Kenis,
and Mitch. Our family is blessed with ten grandchildren.
All of our children and in-laws are serving in a lay capacity
in ministry. I am blessed to have my oldest daughter, Alicia,
serving as CFO for a company that I co-own, Premium
Steel Building Systems. I asked her the question, “Why does
Christian education matter?” The following is her reply.
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