"Children are the prize to the winner of the great civil war of values," said Dr. James C. Dobson in his 1990 book Children at Risk. "Those who control what young people are taught and what they experience will determine the future course of our nation. The predominant value system of an entire culture can be overhauled in one generation, or certainly two, by those with unlimited access to children. The campaign is primarily being waged in the public schools."

Fast forward to Dr. Dobson's June 2006 letter titled "Education Turned Perversion," where he alluded to these and other excerpts from his book as "prophetic." He substantiated his use of the term "prophetic" by referring to numerous events that occurred from 1990 until the writing of his letter.

I recently had the privilege to hear Dobson give the keynote address at the 2008 National Christian Apologetics Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he passionately voiced his continued alarm and concern over how quickly this process has occurred. He referred to situations in Connecticut where kindergarten and first grade public school students have been exposed to the books Who's in a Family and King and King, both of which clearly normalize same-sex attraction.

Two other events occurred in October, giving even further credence to his statement about this battle being "waged in the public schools." The first occurred at Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science in Hayward, California. The kindergarten teacher there had her students sign "I Am an Ally" pledge cards in advance of the school's celebration of "Coming Out Day."

The second event involved a first grade field trip that the school's interim director, Liz Jaroslow, labeled as a "teachable moment." Eighteen innocent first graders were brought to San Francisco City Hall to celebrate the wedding of Erin Carder, their lesbian teacher. Carder said, "It's wonderful, It's amazing. Their reactions were so beautiful. They've heard me talking about my wedding, and I just can't believe they came today. I really hope that all the children of the world and future generations understand and see how beautiful love is no matter who's getting married. It's a beautiful, blessed union."

These events did not occur overnight or by accident. They are the result of individuals, often small in number, who decades ago possessed a vision for the future growth and promotion of their worldview. Their passion required the patience and willingness to tirelessly proceed with resilience in the midst of setbacks and defeats.

Those of us involved in Christian education should take note of this determination and apply our efforts in a similar manner. Since only approximately 15 percent of children raised in Christian homes attend our schools, we also can be considered a minority, so we have our work cut out for us.

Now is the time to expand our vision for all children. Now is the time to contemplate means in which we can touch more lives for Christ. Whether it's through an after school tutoring program, a program offering GED and high school diplomas for dropouts, a credit recovery program for students not attending our school, a homeschool program, or a program to facilitate the education of missionary children, Switched-On® provides the means in which we can easily expand the horizon of our influence.

There is no doubt some of the most tumultuous days in our nation's history are still ahead of us, but we must not allow ourselves to focus on our circumstances. Instead, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the "Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Let us heed the words of God to Jeremiah, as we go forth with a reinvigorated passion and renewed vision for Christian education: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Roy Faletti
Vice President of Educational Services