I seriously considered not writing this article knowing that the events discussed herein would not apply directly to your Christian school. Stirred by the evident inequity portrayed in these events, I felt compelled to write anyway. Though far removed from your school's walls, such occurrences are taking place in public schools throughout our nation and have an impact on our culture, your community, and even your school. Events like these should serve to awaken slumbering Christians in your community to becoming ardent supporters of your school.

Let me begin with an event that occurred last December in the state of Washington. A group of students at East Valley High School attempted to assemble on campus during non-instructional time for the purpose of "discussion, prayer, and fasting." The school palpably refused access to the school facilities.

According to a report on the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) website, the high school principal stated that "District policies prohibited the group from meeting." I'm sure you can easily guess upon what basis he predicated his decision. Yes, it was the misunderstood and misquoted separation clause. "Allowing the group to meet would violate the so-called separation of church and state.'" The article further quoted the principal as stating that "No group of students can meet at EVHS during the school day for religious purposes or to engage in religious speech, even though other groups of students may meet for nonreligious purposes and to engage in nonreligious speech." On March 12th, the ADF filed a lawsuit against the district on behalf of these students.

Compare this with the events planned for the annual "Day of Silence" (DOS) sponsored by the activist group Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Scheduled for April 25th, this nationwide event may already have occurred by the time you read this article. Although billed by GLSEN as an event to bring attention to "anti-name calling, bullying, and harassment of GLBT students", a report by Mission America says the event was really "designed to pressure students to regard homosexual, bisexual, and transgender behavior as normal and worthy." Mission America provided a link listing multitudes of schools across the nation that were likely participants. I viewed the list and was grieved to see the names of schools from cities all across our nation, both large and small.

While some schools may have taken a stand against this, it obviously received widespread support from school leaders across the nation. The DOS website gave students an organizing manual that provided "the nuts-and-bolts of getting your classmates, teachers, and administration on board." Getting the "teachers and administration" on board for a major event like this appears to be much easier than simply getting their permission to meet for "discussion, prayer, and fasting."

It is evident that the battle to control the hearts of this generation of young people is ever increasing. I almost wonder if the prophet Jeremiah wasn't given a vision of our public school campuses when he mournfully proclaimed "...they have none understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good, they have no knowledge" (Jeremiah 4:22). This is truly the opposite of what occurs in your Christian school where, "from a child" your students are "taught the holy scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation" (II Timothy 3:15).

At AOP, we are vitally concerned about the direction the public schools are taking and the negative effect they are having on the majority of Christian youth who attend. We are equally troubled over the number of Christian parents who blindly send their young children there as "evangelists." We support your efforts and are consistently considering ways in which we can improve our curriculum and services to further increase the outreach of your Christian school.

Our 2008 SOS school version exemplifies the greatest revision to SOS 2.0 since its inception five years ago. As mentioned in the February School Messenger, the introduction of our new web-based Switched-On Online opens new avenues for many schools. Three new electives will be complete by late summer and another six are on the drawing board for possible late summer release. Two new services, Academic Support and Network Maintenance, will be accessible to schools within the next few months.

My thoughts are not boastful as I bring these to your attention. Rather, we at AOP are humbled by what God has done for us and speedily acknowledge that we are mere stewards of His assets. We are committed to the advancement of technology-based Christian education and covet your prayers as we continue to partner together with you on behalf of this great cause. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you" (II Thessalonians 3:1).

Roy Faletti
Vice President of Academic Services