Jeff Meyers and David Noebel, as part of their "Understanding the Times" textbook, make a statement that is simple and yet so profound:  "Ideas have consequences.  They form our beliefs, shape our convictions, and solidify into habits."  Tragically, we have reached a point in our culture where you cannot turn on the news, peruse the newspaper, or even walk through the mall without confronting the consequences of bad ideas and their misbegotten worldviews.  Somewhere along the line, we allowed our schools to teach and our society to believe that we are the whimsical descendants of happenstance, the odds-defying result of some cosmological chemical combustion--leading our young people to live their lives as though they had no real consequence, reason to be, or (most tragic of all) loving Creator to glorify.  As a result, we are living in the social, cultural train wreck that invariably occurs when diabolical worldviews give rise to moral compasses that are increasingly pointed due south.

As you roll through May's busy calendar, tempted to believe that Crusaders were done learning for summer, we are going to engage our annual summer reading campaign to remind our students that they are not evolutionary accidents.  Rather, they are lovingly designed by an infinitely creative God who made each one of them "On Purpose" and for a purpose.  If you will join us, summer 2016 will be an opportunity for your family to immerse in truths that will reveal that our Creator views each and every student as mission-critical to His plans for His world.  Further, He's uniquely equipped each of them with gifts, talents, abilities, and interests that He will use to direct them towards His perfect purposes for their lives.  We would invite you to join us in one of several ways...

First, our summer 2016 reading is "The Cost" by creationist Russ Miller. (Learn more about Russ and his ministry here.) The book does an amazing job of illustrating the cost our culture and kids have paid by taking our eye off the ball.  Starting tomorrow, the book will be available in our school office or you can purchase it through Amazon at this link.

Second, each Monday, throughout the summer, beginning May 31st, your inbox will be hit with a short video that will feature author Russ Miller interacting with Northwest Christian staff and faculty, walking you through the book's chapters, illuminating some of the crucial truths found within its pages.  These videos will serve as a perfect companion to your family's pursuit of scriptural truth!

Third, on Friday, June 17th, your family will have an opportunity to join Russ Miller and other Crusader faculty and families on a day trip to the Grand Canyon.  Russ will use that amazing backdrop to show our students clear evidence of God's creative handiwork.  It is an unforgettable time!  You will see rocks that were present when God spoke the world into existence and other clear evidence of our Creator's handiwork.  Spots on that coach bus are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are interested, more information will be coming home on that trip later this week.

Finally, with summer 2016 as the perfect springboard, Russ will be joining us several times through the 2016/2017 school year in chapels, Bible classes, parent meetings, and professional development sessions for teachers.  He will help to train our teachers, teach our students, and coach our parents towards the momentous understanding that we are created "On Purpose" and for a purpose.  I'm praying that the entire Crusader family will find summer 2016 to be a game-changer!