Challenge Central: a CBC devotional
By: Shannon Green
“Central Baptist Academy, that’s the place where God wants us to to be
We stand for truth and right and purity, the Bible is our guidebook
We will strive to honour God each day, in each avenue of work and play
So that the watching world may see, this is the best place to be!”
Have you ever learned a song as a child, and it comes back to you so easily as an adult? That is the way it was with this song. The CBA Committee was meeting last week and strategizing as a team about the school and what we want it to be known for. This song, written by our very own Linda Penrice in 1978 at the inception of CBA, was ingrained in us as former alumni. It was so fun to reminisce and sing together this song we learned as children. It got me thinking about Central Baptist Academy and what it has meant to me personally and for my family as both my children and I are graduates from the school. As the school will soon be celebrating 45 years, it has been great to reflect as a team what CBA is known for.
I am so thankful that the school is built on Biblical truths and a Christian worldview. Colossians 1:28 says, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” There is nothing more important than introducing children to Jesus and for those who come from Christian homes, reinforcing what they are being taught from their parents. As a parent, it was so nice to know that when our boys went to school, they were learning the truths we were teaching in our home. As Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The truths that I learned at CBA have stuck with me and have formed the foundation of my life as I have faced joys, trials, and challenges. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we know that “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work”. That is the hope that children will know the truths of God’s word and that it will equip them for all they need in life.
Another blessing of CBA is to know that others are praying for me, while I was a student and for my children as well. Central Baptist Academy has been blessed with some fantastic teachers who not only taught from God’s word but prayed for me and my family over the years. Having Christian men and women who get to know the children in their class and who pray for them through the highs and lows of life has been something that meant so much to me. It is not only the teachers but our church family as well. These four decades have been people who have prayed for the school, the teachers and the students and have had a huge impact on generations of children. I encourage you as a church family that just as Paul prayed in Colossians, pray for CBA. May it be said that “We have not ceased to pray for you asking that you will be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9).
Finally, CBA is a place I learned to serve and use the gifts God gave me for life. It was at CBA that I learned to sing and worship publicly during school concerts. I think without being challenged to step out of my comfort zone and given the confidence to be used in service, I would not be as willing to do that today. At CBA we learned to give to those in need, we learned to share our faith with others, and we learned to be in community with one another. Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as ransom for many.” Many of the friends I made at CBA are the ones I serve alongside today in church, committees and in our community. It is so wonderful to be in community with one another for life and to see us continuing to use the gifts we were encouraged to use in our time at CBA.
I am so thankful for you and your support of CBA. As the song says, I am so thankful that the school has always stood for “truth, righteousness, and purity and that the Bible is our guidebook.” May that be all of our song that “we will strive to honour God each day, in each avenue of work or play.” As our church motto is to worship, grow and serve, I have seen this lived out at the Academy as a student, parent, and church member. I might be biased, but I truly think “This is the best place to be!”
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