Extravagant Love!

Dear Friends,

It has been too long since I have been able to connect with you in person, hear how you are doing, and share with you the stories of what God is doing in and through Immanuel Christian School. God’s goodness and generosity are too extravagant to tell in one letter! I do want to give you a brief update on some of the most exciting things He is doing here. Word may have reached you of the generous and unexpected provision of a new space for the high school students in the heart of downtown Hazleton. With our enrollment growing to the point that we have outgrown the new space we moved into just 5 short years ago, I had spent many long hours of the summer searching and planning for a satellite location to move one-third of our student body. Just when I thought things were settled, my plan unexpectedly fell through. I experienced a moment where I honestly didn’t know what we were going to do. This was followed by great peace and hope in the faithfulness of God. Surely He knew of the situation, and surely He would take care of us! Then God provided for ICS in ways I could never have imagined. He turned the hearts of some leaders in the Hazleton community, people I wouldn’t have thought to ask, and thanks to God’s leading of these generous and joyful givers, we now have a beautiful 5,000 sq ft space on the mezzanine floor of the HNB building on the corner of Broad St and Laurel St in downtown Hazleton. It has been our desire for many years to use the city as our campus so that we can carry out our mission of shaping students to become lifelong learners who serve their community with integrity.

In the days leading up to the finalization of our obtaining the new high school space, we participated in the zoning hearing to request approval of a variance that was needed for us to use this space for educational purposes. One ICS student provided a deeply moving testimony of the role ICS faculty, staff, and students have played in her life. Her words were so powerful that many in attendance were moved to tears. With her permission, the student’s testimony is included at the end of this blog post, as I think you will be powerfully touched by the story as well. We are days away from moving into this new place to which God has called us. We can’t wait to have an open house where we can show you the provision of the Lord and where we can all celebrate his mercies together. I will close with the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Thank you for walking with me and others at ICS for so many years. I am grateful to share such exciting news with you.

Have a great week!

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