FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Christian Schools Damaged in Philippines
Colorado Springs, Colo.—February 6, 2012—Three Christian schools in the Philippines were significantly damaged during Typhoon Sendong last month. Flash flooding in the southern Philippines caused more than 1,200 casualties; over 1,000 people are still missing.
Dr. Tabitha T. Bullecer, country director for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in the Philippines, recently visited ACSI member schools in the affected area.
“In Cagayan de Oro, Pilgrim Christian College—located in the lower level of a building—was under 10 feet of water during the flood,” she said. “The flood damaged their fence and instructional equipment.”
Bullecer reported that computers, books, and furniture at another member school, Oro Christian Grace, were damaged. A third school, Calvary Chapel Bible College in Dumaguete City, sustained more than $30,000 USD in damage. Water and mud destroyed perimeter walls, dislodged water supply tanks and damaged appliances and other school equipment.
Multiple teachers and staff at all three schools lost homes and/or belongings.
“I prayed with them, listened to them and gave them some aid—most of which was contributed from ACSI member schools in Luzon and Cebu,” Bullecer said.
ACSI is collecting disaster relief funds to help affected schools.
“Schools seeing great progress in equipping their students and blessing their communities sometimes experience real suffering,” said Dr. David Wilcox, ACSI assistant vice president for Asia. “Such is the case with several Christian schools on the island of Mindanao and on the islands of the Visayas, Philippines. ACSI member Christian schools are already responding, and we invite others to join in this response through the ACSI Disaster Relief Fund.”
ACSI, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is comprised of well over 23,000 member Christian schools in 100 nations worldwide. ACSI is recognized in the missions community as the leader in equipping Christian schools and educators worldwide, providing services through a network of 29 regional offices. The organization is a leader in accrediting Protestant pre-K–12 schools worldwide. Learn more.
ACSI Welcomes American Hostage Home
Colorado Springs, Colo.—January 30, 2012—The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) extends a warm welcome home to Jessica Buchanan, rescued in Somalia January 25. Buchanan graduated from an ACSI member high school in Ohio and later served as a missionary at Rosslyn Academy, a member school in Nairobi, Kenya.
Buchanan and her colleague, who work for the Danish Refugee Council, had been held hostage since October 2011.
ACSI President Brian Simmons said Buchanan exemplifies the most significant finding from a recent nationwide survey of Christian schools. “The Cardus Education Survey showed that Christian school graduates are generous, outwardly focused individuals who stabilize their communities by their uncommon commitment to their families, their churches and larger society,” Simmons said. “We are grateful for Jessica’s willingness to serve in this way—but most of all, that she is now safe.”
The Cardus Education Survey, completed late last year, sought to determine a benchmark indicator for the long-term spiritual outcomes of Christian school graduates.
ACSI, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is comprised of well over 23,000 member Christian schools in 100 nations worldwide. ACSI is recognized in the missions community as the leader in equipping Christian schools and educators worldwide, providing services through a network of 29 regional offices. The organization is a leader in accrediting Protestant pre-K–12 schools worldwide. Learn more about the Cardus Education Survey.
Nigerians See Christian Education as Key to the Future
Colorado Springs, Colo.—Nov. 1, 2011—With a focus on transforming Nigeria’s future through Christian schooling, leaders there have established a partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Nigerian educators opened an ACSI office October 12 in Lagos, seeking to unify some 450 Christian schools, train educators and help surrounding countries operate effective Christian schools.
“Through this new office in Nigeria we have an impact on children we may never meet this side of eternity,” said ACSI President Brian Simmons. “God has given us a wonderful opportunity and responsibility to support Christian schools and train Christian teachers. Our goal is that tens of thousands of Nigerian students will become academically prepared, devoted followers of Jesus Christ!”
ACSI Nigeria Director Adun Akinyeniju, who oversees two Christian schools in Lagos, recently summed up the impact of effective Christian schooling in Nigeria: “I see Christian school students occupying the political class; I see them occupying the place in industry, in commerce, in the banking sector, to take the place of the corrupt ones. I believe in it so much, and I’m praying it.”
Nigerian leaders of the ACSI office believe that educators who receive training through ACSI will produce graduates who will change the world. Their motto is “Save the Nigerian child through Christian education.”
ACSI is recognized in the missions community as the leader in equipping Christian schools and educators worldwide. The organization’s global staff will come alongside educational leaders in Nigeria to offer expertise on developing children intellectually, operating schools with integrity and teaching with a biblical worldview.
ACSI, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is comprised of well over 23,000 member Christian schools in 100 nations worldwide. ACSI provides services through a network of 27 regional offices and is a leader in accrediting Protestant pre-K–12 schools worldwide. Learn more.