A grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die . . .

Dear Friends:

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Littlestown Christian Academy has closed its doors for the 2011‐2012 school year. allow us to summarize what has been communicated to our families .

LCA has had a great mission!

In 2004, with new leadership from Pastor Ivan Cornwell, we saw great vision for discipling students at LCA. Very quickly God blessed us with:

  • A Committed Faculty
  • 44% growth in the first four years
  • A passion for professional development
  • An expanded technology program
  • A growing fine arts program
  • A commitment to curriculum development
  • A Full-day preschool and the reopening of the high school
  • A tuition assistance program

Economic downturn

Unfortunately, in 2008, our country's economy faltered bringing a recession to our community. This lead to:

  • Families struggling to make ends meet
  • Cutbacks in our programs
  • Depletion of resources
  • High demands on our staff
  • Loss of donor support

It has been our conviction that Christian schooling is an arm of the Church, charged to disciple students, provide an excellent Christian education, while adequately compensating its staff and providing tuition assistance for its families. Under the current economic conditions, this was not sustainable.

Bethel Assembly of God

Had it not been for our church, Bethel Assembly of God, LCA would have closed several years ago. Pastor Ruddy and the church supported LCA sacrificially. Bethel provided:

  • An excellent facility at no cost to LCA families
  • Utilities, maintenance, a clean building at no cost to LCA families
  • Full compensation and benefits to the administrator at no cost to LCA families
  • More than $450,000 in the past seven years for tuition assistance and general expenses

Only God knows the eternal significance of Bethel's sacrificial investment. 

LCA is still at work

LCA has decided to close for the coming year, but the board is not disbanding and remains committed to advancing Christian schooling. We are currently:

Please keep these efforts in prayer as we continue our discussions.

LCA Online is still in operation

LCA Online, our virtual online school, has provided several students with one class or a complete academic program over the past four years.  A full online curriculum is available beginning in 3rd grade.  If this is of interest to you, please contact me to discuss possibilities.

Final thoughts

In John 12, Jesus says, “a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to make many seeds. But if it never dies, it remains only a single seed.” (John 12:24, NCV) Could it be that LCA’s closing could be the seed that dies to provide for many seeds? I believe that the principles discovered in this verse apply to our situation. Will you join me in prayer for that? If our staff or I can be of any assistance during this difficult time, would you please contact us? Mrs. Cornwell and I stand ready to be of assistance. Thank you for allowing us this privilege. I look forward to giving you continued updates on our discussions with ACSI and ACCA and we stand ready to provide online or homeschool support should you need it.

Advancing His Kingdom through discipleship,

Ivan L Cornwell Administrator, Littlestown Christian Academy