Your Guide to Issues and Events at A.C.E.

JanuaryFebruary 2014

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Your Christian School

You have seen Gods many blessings this past year and
experienced his grace through some trials, but have you
asked yourself how God views your school? Does every
program of your school honor Him? Do you have a
truly Christian school? What is a Christian school? Now
would be a good day to stop and evaluate your school.
A school is not a Christian school just because it is
held in a church facility. Churches typically use their
facilities for many types of programs, so just having
a school in your church facility does not make it a
Christian school. A school is not a Christian school
because it has Christian leaders, Christian staff, or
Christian supervisors in the Learning Center. There
are many schools today that claim to be Christian,
but simply calling a school Christian does not
make it Christian. Many schools are like the church of
Laodicea in Revelation 3; they are Christian in name
only.
What is a Christian school? A school is a Christian
school because it adheres to the Christian
Continued on page 2

Your Christian School

Continued from page 1

philosophy. If you believe and instruct that God is

our Creator, Lord, and Master, and He has given us
one rule book, the Bible, by which to live, your school
is a Christian school. The Great Commandment in
Deuteronomy 6:412 reminds us that Gods Word
must be imparted to our children. Your school is a
Christian school as you instruct and instill into the
hearts and minds of your students the principles of
Gods Word. The Bible must be your guide for faith
and practice. All subjects must be imparted from a
Biblical perspective and a Christian worldview if your
school is to be a Christian school.
In a Christian school, the Bible is the primary
textbook in every subject. When a student studies
science, he sees the beauty, order, and laws God
created. When he studies history, he must learn
about our first parents Adam and Eve and about
the great men who have walked through world
history. He must learn about Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David, Solomon, and all the
great kings and prophets of the Old Testament,
but especially Jesus Christ, for history is HIS STORY.
In math the child becomes aware of the mind of
God as it relates to the numerical structure in the
universe He created. Sounds, letters, words, and
sentences allow the communication of Biblical
principles. Language allows a student to read Gods
revelation through His Word. In a Christian school,
all life is sacred. Through the years our society has
made a distinction between the sacred and secular.
Government education teaches the secularall of
life and subjects apart from moral absolutes and faith
in a Holy God. They leave the sacred to the church.
However, for the Christian, all of life is sacred. Since
God created math, language, history, science, and all
other academic subjects, they must be learned from
a Biblical perspective and worldview. When the Bible
is your textbook and Biblical principles are your guide,
you have a Christian school.
In the early days of the modern-day Christian school
movement, Pastor Levi Whisner in Ohio fought
and won the battle against being licensed by the
state to operate a Christian school. He argued that
2 Accelerator

his Christian school was an integral part of his

church. The church imparted the Bible on Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and
Saturdayevery day of the week. Just as children
were there on Sunday to be trained in Gods Word,
students were there on Monday through Friday to
be instructed in the Word of Godto see all of life
from a Biblical perspective. When Pastor Whisner
won the court case, his Christian school was defined
as an integral and inseparable ministry of the local
church. His stand showed that he had a conviction
to have a Christian school, not a mere preference.
The United States Supreme Court has defined the
church as beliefs and believers who hold those
beliefs. These beliefs have been further defined
as either convictions or preferences. Do you
have a preference for a Christian school? Or is it
a conviction that God has commanded you to do
and you can do nothing else?
Why do you have a Christian school? Is your
Christian school simply an alternative to government
education? If your school is going to be called a
Christian school but only in name and not adhere
to the philosophy that all life is sacred and that
all subjects must be instructed from a Biblical
perspective, you have your school for the wrong
reasons. But if you have a true conviction that
God is the Creator of all thingsthat all life
is sacred and you are responsible to the only
God, if you believe that God has mandated that
we thoroughly ingrain the Scriptures into the
hearts and minds of our children and you have
no alternative but to do what God says
to do, then you are operating your
school for the right
purpose and you have
a Christian school.
May God bless you in
the passion He has
given you to train
a new generation
of young people
to be productive
Christians and to
honor and glorify
our Lord!

From Our President . . .

The heart of the A.C.E. ministry is to train children to understand and practice Biblical,
Christian character. With this in mind, the 60 character traits of Christ are carefully woven
in and through the A.C.E. curriculum. The continual focus and review of these character
traits truly cause each of us to develop Christ-like character, which results in our walk and
conversation shining His light to each one with whom we come in contact. The Scriptures
remind us to Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ . . . that ye stand
fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27) What a wonderful blessing it
is to be able to share the love of the Lord with those around us!
As I praise our Lord for a new year in which I am privileged to serve Him, I am honored and humbled that He chose me,
as well as you, to minister to the students through Christian education. Praise the Lord that we have hope for the future
as we seek His direction through prayer and the reading of His precious Word!
It is my fervent prayer that you will be inspired and encouraged as you read this Accelerator. May you continue to
faithfully serve our Saviour and Lord in the essential, daily ministry of Biblical education for the children! Thank you for
your commitment to teach them diligently unto thy children, and . . . talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
A servant of Jesus Christ, for the childrens sake and Gods glory,

Esther Howard, D.Litt.

President

Graduation Checklist and Information

Choose between combined graduation/
awards ceremony or graduation only. (A
combined service draws a larger graduation
crowd but also makes the schedule longer.
However, combined is the best for a school of
few students.)
Order attractive, professionally printed
announcements.
Order diplomas early for guaranteed delivery.
Use caps and gowns. Schedule pickup early
enough for picture appointments.
Secure the facility by scheduling early,
especially if using a building other than your
school or church.
Select a speaker who will add to the
significance of the ceremony and challenge

graduates to a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus

Christ as they proceed into their future.
Use students to provide the special music
(junior choir, all-school choir, convention
winners). Student involvement will improve
attendance, as well as be a special blessing.
Extend personal invitations to school
supporters who have no children in the school.
Graduation is a great platform for promoting
your school.
Reward students with Godly character awards.
Consider which of the A.C.E. character traits
best describes each graduate and/or student.
Put his name, character trait, and the character
verse on a professional plaque or certificate. It
will be cherished for years to come.

JanuaryFebruary 2014 3

Biblical Educational Standards

As a parent you definitely want the best for your
children in the realm of their education. Your
child is the most precious gift God has given you.
Should you not desire excellence in the educational
system, which forms his basic outlook on life?
In Proverbs 23:24 we see that The father of
the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that
begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. In
order for children to become righteous and wise,
each child needs to be endowed with a foundation
based on Scripture. Accelerated Christian Education
incorporates Biblical principles, academic
excellence, character training, and spiritual growth,
combined with high scholastic standards. These
elements will prepare your child for the world today
and give him the tools necessary to succeed in the
future.
A.C.E. was formed in 1970not only to meet the
academic needs of children but to provide Godly
character training. The result was a system that
helps churches and parents train young people
spiritually and academically, a curriculum that
focuses on Gods plan for each individual child.
The basic principles of A.C.E. assure the parents of
a solid, mastery, back-to-basics education for their
child by diagnostically meeting a students specific
learning needs and capabilities. The curriculum
incorporates character-building exercises, personal
goal setting, and critical thinking skills into daily
learning.

3. His learning must be controlled, and he must

be motivated.
4. His learning must be measurable.
5. His learning must be rewarded.
Personal testimonies of graduates confirm
to the spiritual and academic excellence of the
Accelerated Christian Education program. By
stressing the God-given uniqueness of the
individual student, A.C.E. provides the standards
and groundwork on which a successful life is
built. Godly character qualities, diligence, and
goal setting instilled in the student while in the
A.C.E. program set an exemplary course for the
graduate to follow, which includes entry into higher
educational institutions, the business world, and in
training of future generations. The global presence
of A.C.E. verifies the uniqueness of the program.
It meets the needs of all students. With over 6,000
schools and thousands of homeschools in over 140
countries, A.C.E. has demonstrated its dedication
to provide quality education to parents and
administrators throughout its 43 years of ministry.
The goal of A.C.E. is the same today as it was from
its beginning: to prepare children for the world
today and give them spiritual and academic tools
necessary to achieve their God-given potential.

Accelerated Christian Educations concepts

are based on the following Five Basic Laws of
Learning:
1. A child must be at a level where he can
perform.
2. He must have reasonable goals.
4 Accelerator

For Parents
www.aceministries.com

Permission is granted by A.C.E. to copy this page.

South Georgia Youth Camp

New Mexico Tech

April 811

March 1721

May 69

April 2225

Deep South

Frontier

Great Lakes

Mid-Atlantic

Texas Baptist Encampment

California Baptist University

Western Illinois University

March 2528

March 1821

March 1721

Northwest

Ozark

Pacific Coast

Camp Garaywa

Northeast

Northland Bible Baptist/

Granite City Baptist Churches
Appalachian Bible College

April 2125

April 2325

April 811

March 2528

Sun Coast

Upper Midwest

Virginias

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin

Word of Life

Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment

March 1114

April 711

Prairie States

Southern Plains

Baptist Bible College

George Fox University

Camp-of-the-Woods

March 2427

April 2124

Mid-South

Tuscarora Conference Center

Adrian College

Avery Trace Middle School

March 37

March 37

Coastal Plains

Cumberland Valley

March 2428

Carolinas

Facility
The Wilds

Date

Convention

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Bradley, West Virginia

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Hudson, Florida

Cedar Hill, Texas

Macomb, Illinois

Riverside, California

Springfield, Missouri

Newberg, Oregon

Speculator, New York

Clinton, Mississippi

Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania

Adrian, Michigan

Socorro, New Mexico

Tifton, Georgia

Cookeville, Tennessee

Palacios, Texas

Rosman, North Carolina

Location

Richard Clayton

Gary Stoots

David Gerhardt

Timothy Smith

Truong Ly

Forrest Walker

Philip Raya

Gary Loomis

Jeremy Wallace

Adam Rondeau

Mike Sauvageot

Brian Fox

Dennis Joslin

John Boggs

Jimmy Burt

Emory Thompson, Jr.

Emory D. Thompson

Joe Johnson

Coordinator

WIstudentconvention@yahoo.com

glstoots@embarqmail.com

pastordpg@aol.com

tim.smith@aceministries.com

truongly.gca@verizon.net

forrest.walker@aceministries.com

philip.raya@aceministries.com

gary.loomis@aceministries.com

jeremywallace76@gmail.com

scaprincipal@verizon.net

mlsauvageot@hotmail.com

fairviewchristianschool@juno.com,
bjfox12@verizon.net

dennis.joslin@aceministries.com

pastorboggs@riograndebaptist.org

DeepSouth@lbcministry.org

emorydthompson@gmail.com

edthompson7@att.net

joe.johnson@aceministries.com

Email Address

920-235-5400

434-315-4836

615-887-8292

615-479-9623

214-697-2395

615-887-6197

615-887-6179

615-887-6068

530-710-8772

774-329-3039

662-842-4617

484-529-8743

615-887-6089

505-877-0535

229-244-8436

931-254-9557

281-753-5652

615-887-6446

Phone

See Y
n
a
l
P w! 2014 REGIONAL Th ou
No STUDENT CONVENTIONS ere!

RSC 2014

JanuaryFebruary 2014 5

ISC 2014

Join Us at ISC 2014

May 2429 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Visit www.aceministries.com/ISC
for more information.

United States Financial Information

ISC Online Registration

(except Alaska and Hawaii)

For your convenience, ISC registration will be held online

at register.aceministries.com. Payments may be made
online via credit card or electronic check. Visit the website
for easy-to-follow instructions and technical support.
Prepare now by making sure you have at least one
computer with Internet access.
Please note: All ISC registrations must be
processed online!

2014 Retail Price

$399
Discount
Discount pricing for schools
of 25%
and students on the A.C.E. program:
School registration fee (nonrefundable):
$25 per person or $250 maximum
U.S. Participant Price Discount25% (2 options):
1. On-campus dorm, meals, and registration
(full package) $299 per person
2. Contestants or sponsors registration fee
(no dorm and no meals) $184 per person
Late registration fee (EACH person registering on Sunday,
May 25) $50 per person
Off-campus guests (Please register at A.C.E.
Information Center.) $5 per person

Preregistration
Preregistration packets must be postmarked by
April 15, 2014, or one week following the completion of
your Regional Student Convention, whichever comes later.
The Global registration deadline is April 1, 2014.
6 Accelerator

Student Convention Guidelines

Visit www.aceministries.com/isc for current Student
Convention Guidelines.

Early Arrivals/Thursday Night Stay Overs

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) cannot
accommodate any early arrivals (May 23) or Thursday
night stay overs (May 29).

Transportation
Participants must make all arrangements for
transportation to and from the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. Be sure your ENTIRE transportation

ISC 2014
arrangements are confirmed before departing from home.
Transportation outside the campus is the responsibility of
the schools/families. Arrangements for shuttles must be
made in advance.

Guests
Guests 13 years of age and older may register with a school
and stay in the residence halls. Men will stay in the boys
residence halls and ladies in the girls residence halls. Fees
are the same as for contestants and sponsors. (Children
under 13 years of age may not stay in residence halls.)
Guests residing off campus must register at the Information
Center ($5 fee per person). Guests are welcome at events
and rallies and are required to abide by the dress code of the
Convention. Children under the age of six are not allowed in
competition rooms.

Housing
We are excited about the quality of the dorms at IUP.
However, if you would like a list of area motels available to
assist families and schools who choose to stay off campus,
please visit www.aceministries.com/isc, and select either
ISC Information Booklet. Go to the Housing and Meals
section.

On-Campus Meals
Individuals staying off campus may eat meals in the IUP
dining facilities for the following prices:
Breakfast $7
Lunch
$7
Dinner
$7
Meal tickets may be purchased at the A.C.E. Information
Center.

Judges Needed
International Student Convention is looking for qualified
staff to assist in judging various areas of competition at this
years Convention. If you have training, experience, or other
qualifications in a particular field and would be willing
to assist as a paid judge in this vital area of Convention,
please email the Student Convention Office for more
information at studentconventions@aceministries.com or
call 615-612-5200.

Visit www.aceministries.com/isc
for complete ISC 2014 information.

Apply Now for His Servants

24/7 Squad for ISC 2014

The 24/7 Squad began as a concept and has grown a life of its
own, rooted and grounded in Gods Word. The 24/7 Squad is
based on four Biblical principles: CommitmentJeremiah 24:7,
WorshipPsalm 24:7, ObedienceExodus 24:7, and Wisdom
Proverbs 24:7. The mission of the 24/7 Squad is to influence
others to live for Christ by assisting the Student Convention leadership
with any task asked of them. Successful applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age and have previous involvement in

International Student Convention (ISC).
Not be eligible to compete as students at ISC.
Must not have responsibilities as sponsors or accompanists for any students attending ISC.
Be willing to volunteer their time 24/7 for the duration of the Convention in any area.
Be able to arrive at ISC prior to commencement of registration and remain until after the
Awards Ceremony.
Be passionate about the purpose and ministry of ISC.
Cover their own transportation expenses.
Be prepared to use any musical or platform gifts they have at rallies.

Visit www.aceministries.com/studentprograms if you have a graduate who misses the ISC experience and
wants to be a blessing to others. You can also see photos of the 24/7 Squad in action, print an application,
and find out how to be part of the 24/7 Squad at ISC 2014 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

JanuaryFebruary 2014 7

Inspiring Achievement in Your Students

As a Christian educator, what is my role in encouraging
achievement in the student?

A. I am an identifier.
First, identify the enemy. It is NOT the child!
The flesh and blood I focus on isnt the real
enemy. The Accuser delights in deflecting
my anger onto the students, which should
be directed toward him. Satan is the enemy,
and he will try to use me to hurt a child if I
allow it. I must be on constant guard of my
emotions! Remember, we choose how we
respond to each student and each situation.
Second, identify the cause of this childs
reluctance.
Third, identify this childs strengths and
weaknesses. That will help zero in on the
best approach.
Finally, identify workable solutions to help
this child succeed.

B. I am an influencer.


An instructor is a person who is used by God
to change or influence the lives of others.
Above all else give them Jesus. Jesus is where
our gaze needs to be always, especially when
things are overwhelming. Let your students
daily witness a Godly life in your life.

C. I am an ensurer.

With Gods help, you can do this! should be

our constant exhortation to our students. This is
a truth that needs to be instilled in their hearts.
Psalm 121 affirms, . . . My help cometh from the
Lord, which made heaven and earth. Because
of Gods power and His presence, I have the
peace and strength I need to succeed. We must
also ensure that each student feels accepted
and appreciated for his uniqueness. Everyone
is special, and each one has something to offer
to your Learning Center.
8 Accelerator

D. I am a worker.

If I am going to make a difference in the lives of

my students, it will take hard work on my part.
Acts 20:35 exhorts, . . . how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak . . . . A Godly worker
cheerfully gives of his or her time, energy, and
possessions to make disciples. That is what
we do daily in the Learning Centermake
disciples.

E. I am a listener.

As an educator I am a confidence builder, a

cheerleader, and a good listener. By listening
attentively, I can hear not only his words, but his
heart and dreams. To be effective in ministering
to each child, I must get to know them. Then I
can best meet the needs of the student.

F. I am a striver.

A striver is one who fights for someone or

something. As educators we strive year after
year to help our students be successful. We do
our best to find ways to make them achieve
their goals and grow as individuals. But
whose agenda am I committed tomine or
Gods? Gods agenda is people-centered, not
program-centered. We must be careful not to
lose our focus.

G. I am a Believer.

Romans 8:25 says, But if we hope for that

we see not, then do we with patience wait
for it. No matter what I see with my natural
eye, I believe that my students will succeed.
God gives me spiritual glasses, reminding
me to gaze on others through them. Gods
arm has not waxed short! (Numbers 11:23)
and is able to bring about the seemingly
impossible in the life of this child.
The key to motivating a child is to get him to take
responsibility for his own behavior. A child who will
not take this responsibility (and whose parents wont
make him) cannot be motivated.

Train Children
to Take
Responsibility
Training children to take responsibility seems to be a well-concealed secret
in our society. Parents want their children to feel good rather than taking
the time to build character because discipline and character training are
hard work. Consider these points:
A. Train how to deal with feelings.

Children must be taught how to deal properly with their feelings.
This takes much love, patience, and continual training. It doesnt
happen quickly. Dont give up! Remember: God is still working
on me.
B. Train to respond, not react.

Many children dont understand that their behavior is a direct
response to what they are feeling. That is why training them
how to handle specific situations is so important. Teach them to
respond, not to react. Role plays can really help with this. If this
______ happened, how would you respond? Then discuss the
appropriateness of their answer. Give them ideas for other (more
appropriate) options. Lead them scripturally.
C. Set the example.
Be the example by learning to control your anger rather than
letting it control you. Instead of anger, may passion for what
touches Jesus heart (the children) drive us to act in love. A
primary threat to a child is his own anger; it can damage or
destroy him. Learning to handle his anger will give him an
advantage in life; many of lifes problems can be averted, if one
learns to hold his tongue. Dealing with anger influences the
development of ones personal integrity. Not dealing with ones
anger leaves pockets of immaturity in ones character. This will
affect ones spiritual development. When anger is not dealt with,
often it will result in passive-aggressive behavior. This behavior
doesnt make sense and it tries to hurt. Since the purpose is to
upset the authority, no matter what action you take, it will make
no difference. Ultimately the student will be defeated and have
his future and relationships affected by this behavior.
D. Praise positive effort.
Love him into doing right! If he is stalled, it will take much
encouragement to get and keep him rolling again. Try saying his

name to him often. Remember to correct in private and praise

publicly.
E. Enlist the help of the parents.
Expect few results if good behavior isnt required at home.
Advise parents:
The more responsibility they take for their childs
homework, keeping his room clean, feeding the dog, etc.,
the less responsibility the child will take.
Dont pick up his responsibilities! Yes, I know that children will
whine and complain, but they are your childs responsibility.
Be available to help your child when needed, but dont
complete his work for him. Go over the instructions to
make sure he understands, but require him to do the work.
Instill work ethics and responsibility.
Reward good behavior.
We are reminded in I Corinthians 3:7 that the labor of ministry and
its effectiveness are ultimately Gods work, not ours. Self-sufficiency
doesnt work; God-sufficiency does. When lifes situations seem to be
going the worst is often when God is at work the most! So, when God
allows situations that we would rather not experience, go to Him in
prayer, and search for the hidden blessings. They are always there!
Keep in mind: chronic thorns that irritate can be useful for shortcircuiting pride, showcasing Gods grace, super-charging us with
Christs power, and strengthening our communion with Him. If we get
focused on the thorns, we miss the beauty of the flowers. The word
perseverance literally means to abide under. Yield to the Lords will,
and submit yourself to His plan. Remember that partial surrender is
not surrender at all. We must follow and serve Jesus on His terms.
Effective ministry begins when we realize that we can never earn
Gods blessing, but we are always dependent solely on His grace. God
directs the play of our lives and everyone (even reluctant students)
comes in on cue. Titus 3:3, 4 reminds us, For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived . . . What changed us?
. . . the kindness and love of God our Saviour . . . . May we show the love
of God to our students to inspire Godly character growth and academic
achievement.
JanuaryFebruary 2014 9

Character Counts!
Appreciative
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving
me such a wonderful grandfather.
Thank You, too, for my mother
and my grandmother. Bless them all.

The above character strip, illustrating the character trait

appreciative, comes from 4th Edition Science PACE 1039.
A.C.E. defines appreciative, one of sixty character traits of
Christ used in the curriculum, as expressing thanks to God
and others for the ways they have served me.
Appreciative has synonyms like thankful, indebted, and
obliged. It has antonyms like unthankful, ungrateful,
ingratitude, and unpleasant. The root thank is used in
the Bible 134 times in various forms such as thank, thanks,
thankful, and thanksgiving. The Bible clearly directs Believers
to be appreciative in every area of their lives. As stated in I
Thessalonians 5:18, In every thing give thanks: for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In the character strip, Pudge is getting prepared to go to
bed. On his knees in prayer, he thanks God for his mother,
grandfather, and grandmother. Sadly, this scene does not
occur in some homes around the world and is a gentle
reminder to cultivate an attitude of appreciation for all the
blessings that God daily pours out in our lives. The blessing
of family can easily be taken for granted. It is easy to get
caught up in prayer for our personal needs and wants and
overlook Gods generosity.
This character strip represents a scene that occurs regularly
in our Learning Centers where students learn to appreciate
their supervisors and other school staff by saying thank
you. Students need to learn to be grateful and appreciate
the opportunity they have of learning in a Christian school
with Christian pastors, supervisors, and monitors.
10 Accelerator

Help me grow up to be just

like Grandfather! And help
me learn from Mother and
Grandmother.

Another verse for this character trait is found in IChronicles

16:34 and tells us, O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is
good; for his mercy endureth for ever. The context of this
verse is where David, the king of Israel, brought the Ark of
the Covenant to Jerusalem and he had set up a temporary
tent for it until the Temple could be built. The Ark contained
several items that were memorials to Gods miraculous
provision for Israel in the past. Eventually, when the Temple
was built, the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies and was
the very spot where the high priest met with God every
year on the Day of Atonement.
In this passage the Ark of the Covenant had been in enemy
hands and now was back in the hands of Israel. When
David placed the Ark in the temporary tent, he was very
appreciative that there was now going to be a permanent
Temple for the Ark. As a result, he praised God for His
goodness and mercy in restoring the Ark back to Gods
people. Most of this chapter is like a psalm written by David,
and the same words (with slight variations) are found in
Psalms 96, 105, and 106. David showed appreciation to God
for His goodness and mercy.
May we daily strive to express thanks to our Almighty God
and others for the ways they serve us. Let us also determine
to serve the students and help them understand and
express appreciation for their salvation, family, church, and
Christian school. Let us always be quick to give thanks to
Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

JanuaryFebruary 2014 11

Celebrating

10 Years of Gods Goodness!

I took time off from my profession

(engineering) to get married and have
a family. The Lord led me to minister via
BLESS even though I am not considered a
professional educator. I know the slums.
I used to live there as a child, but I was not
prepared for what I saw in my Learning
Center.
I am thankful to BLESS
because I know now how to read
and know about Jesus. Thank you
for the people who helped me.
James

Thank you, God, that through

this program I learned how to
read and write and have selfconfidence. Gessel

Thank you, BLESS, for

teaching me. I learned many
things. I learned how to read and
write and even memorize verses.
Reche

12 Accelerator

One family lives in a shack a few feet

larger than a king-sized bed. They have no
electricity, water, or restroom. Their shack
is surrounded by a mosquito-infested
canal that overflows every time it rains.
The children are pencil-thin, not used to
having decent meals if any at all. They are
seven and nine years old and do not know
how to read.
Another child lives under other peoples
floors on a creek. His mother and
father are not around. He lives with a
grandmother and aunt in a household of
thirteen people. He has one pair of pants
and some shirts. He comes to BLESS on
his own because no one will bring him. He
has not bathed, combed his hair, or eaten.
He has lost his innocence.
Children like this do not understand
simple phrases like sit down, do
not run, or Whats your name? They
have no manners. They fight, scream,
and shout because that is how they
survive. At BLESS we exercise firm
love. We demand obedience and show
compassion.

Childrens eyes grow BIG as we tell Bible

or animal stories. Excitement is expressed
when they smell corn for snack time.
Going to the zoo is unheard of, and many
have never ridden in a car, not to mention
felt air conditioning!
You should see the tears on the parents
faces as their children march at graduation.
Perfect enunciation of each learned sound
is demonstrated along with the recitation
of verses, which have been memorized.
You should see the look on childrens faces
when they are told that God made them
special, that God does not do bad or ugly
work. God is BIG and the grace of God is
bigger than anything we can imagine.
These children dont understand the
concept of BIG; they are used to small and
meager. BUT THEY DO NOW!
The Gospel of Jesus means nothing to
these people if they only hear words
but dont see acts of kindness and
the compassion we preach about.
Ministering in BLESS is not a day job.
It is not something that can be turned
off when class is finished and you are
home, resting comfortably. It is not
your accomplishment, a feather in your
teaching cap, or a halo on your ministry
head. BLESS is about peoplepeople who
need a chance, not even a second chance,
to be recipients of a BIG kind of love. The
unconditional kind. Recipients of a BIG kind
of grace. The unlimited kind.
Letter from S.D., Philippines

What can your students do for

these children?
Celebrate 10 years of Gods blessings upon
BLESS this year by supporting a BLESS
Center. God is increasing the fruits of the
BLESS program. For every BLESS graduate,
an average of 3 people get saved. Over
8,000 children and their families have
come to know Christ through the school
break outreach program of BLESS. Many
of these same people now attend church
regularly and have a daily walk with
Christ because of what they learned and
saw through the Bible studies and daily
examples of BLESS Center staff.
Become a World Changer when you
donate $20 to sponsor one child for the
15-week BLESS program while $200
sponsors an entire BLESS Center with
10 children. Pray that Gods love will be
shown to others through Biblical academic
education. Spread the word about BLESS
to those around you who have hearts
open to helping others. Share the gift of
eternal life through this evangelistic tool.
You and your students can participate in
this ministry of spreading the Gospel. Give
hope to a child by helping him learn about
Jesus and His unconditional love and
unlimited grace.
If your school would like to be recognized
at ISC with a certificate of appreciation from
Mrs. Howard, please submit your donation
of $200 or more by May 1, 2014. Visit
www.aceministries.com/bless to donate
by credit card, or send it in to the address
listed on the back of this publication.
Be sure to let us know how God worked
through your students to pray for and
support BLESS. Your testimonies and
pictures of those involved in raising
funds for BLESS may be on display at the
2014 ISC in Indiana, Pennsylvania. As one
student at ISC said, . . . anyone can raise
money for BLESS. We can find change lying
on the ground . . . . See what God will do
through you and your students!

JanuaryFebruary 2014 13

WORLD WATCH

Whats happening
in Malaysia?
Famous for its white sandy beaches and rich spices, oil,
and gas, Malaysia is often thought of as a benign country
because little excitement ever happens there. A.C.E.
thinks differently. Schools using the Accelerated Christian
Education curriculum are appearing all over Malaysia.
It is exciting to see the growth and hear how Christian
education is increasingly being accepted.
Malaysia is the southernmost tip of the continent of
Eurasia in Southeast Asia, surrounded and split by the
South China Sea. It is made up of thirteen states and
three federal territories. A tropical climate is enjoyed by
its ethnically diverse people, including a few aboriginal
people groups. Islam is the national religion in Malaysia,
with Buddhism a close second; however, the government
promotes freedom of religion. This diversity of people,
cultures, and religion contributes to its monarchy with
a unique political atmosphere in which a king is elected
every five years.
Malaysias educational system requires students to attend
school from first through sixth grades (712 years old).
Kindergarten and junior and senior high school are optional
but are available at no charge.
Malaysia was introduced to Accelerated Christian
Education in the late 1990s with homeschools, and the
first school using the A.C.E. curriculum began in 1998.
Currently there are 31 schools, which vary in size from

14 Accelerator

fewer than 10 to over 150 students, as well as many

homeschools. Schools enjoy different events like Christian
Educators Convention, training, and Student Convention.
In 2013 at the 2nd annual combined Junior and Senior
Student Convention, there were 400 in attendance.
A.C.E. is growing in Malaysia as families realize the
need for an alternative to the secular state and private
schools. Character building combined with the academic
excellence that A.C.E. offers, while presenting Christian
nurturing and discipleship through the PACEs, is what
attracts churches and parents to the A.C.E. curriculum.
Even non-Christian parents see the benefits of their
children using the A.C.E. curriculum.
The main hindrance for even more growth in Malaysia
is the lack of recognition from the government, even
though it boasts to have freedom of religion. Permits
for Learning Centers are often held up because of
government regulations. A.C.E. is considered too
foreign and too Christian to be accepted. Because key
Malaysian schools are making progress in acquainting
the Malaysian government with the advantages and
academic excellence of the curriculum, they are beginning
to be recognized by the Ministry of Education and higher
educational institutions.
People in Malaysia are excited about the opportunities
their graduates have encountered in furthering their
education and moving into the workplace. There are
many opportunities to reach their country for Christ,
through the A.C.E. program, one child at a time!

In This Issue
Your Christian School

P.O. Box 160509

Nashville,TN 37216
www.aceministries.com

Presort Std
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From Our President

Graduation Checklist
Parent AcceleGRAM
2014 Regional Student
Conventions
2014 ISC Information
His Servants 24/7 Squad
Inspiring Achievement in
Your Students
Train Children to Take
Responsibility
Character Counts!
4th Edition Word Building
BLESS
World Watch

p. 1
p. 3
p. 3
p. 4
p. 5
p. 6
p. 7
p. 8
p. 9
p. 10
p. 11
p. 12
p. 14

Staff Distribution List

Senior Pastor

Monitor

Senior Administrator Monitor

Pastor

Monitor

Principal

Secretary

Supervisor

Pres., P.T.F.

Supervisor

School Board
Members

Supervisor