Living Proof

On Friday evening, severe thunderstorms and heavy rain forced the cancellation of our varsity soccer game as the team is defending its 2025 State Championship. While the storm altered evening plans for many, it unexpectedly placed one of our own right where God needed him most.

Driving home while still wearing his goalie uniform, Alamance Christian School student Karl, a sophomore and starting goalie on the soccer team, noticed thick smoke rising from a house on Riverbend Road—just around the corner from our school. Spotting no one outside and concerned for the safety of whoever might be inside, Karl and his grandfather immediately turned around and pulled into the driveway. 

Without hesitation, Karl stepped up to help the homeowner, getting her into a raincoat to shield her from the pouring rain while making sure no one else remained inside the burning structure. His focus remained on her safety and care until emergency responders arrived. This pair was joined by a local pastor, who was also on his way home from the canceled soccer game. 

This act of maturity is a vibrant example of a Biblical Worldview in action. Scripture calls us to put our faith into practice by actively caring for those around us. Note the practical and simple direction in 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Jesus teaches that the depth of our love for Him is reflected in how we demonstrate kindness to our neighbors. Karl embodied this truth, showing that true leadership and character extend far beyond the athletic field, showing up in everyday moments. While reflecting on this past Friday, Karl said, “I'm glad I could help out because I wanted to try and make a bad situation better.”   

In the chaos of the evening, the family was not able to get Karl's name before he left. Afterward, finding out his name and school, the daughter, Christy, made her thoughts clear, “Please tell him that we thank him & his grandfather so very much!”

Karl, the son of a firefighter, did not set out to be a servant that night — he'd rather have been playing his soccer game. Instead, he responded to what was right in front of him. That is the kind of character we hope every ACS student carries into the world.

The family lost nearly everything in the blaze, and their immediate focus is finding temporary housing in the Alamance County area and beginning the long process of rebuilding. As a community, we have the opportunity to wrap our arms around them with prayer, encouragement, and tangible support. Let’s follow Karl’s example to help them in their time of great need.

If the Lord moves in your heart to help this family get back on their feet, please consider making a donation by clicking the link below:

GoFundMe: Help the Family Rebuild
 

When parents choose a school for their children, they often look at programs (academics, athletics, and arts), the environment, and even cost. But ask any alumnus years down the road what meant the most to them, and you will almost certainly hear the same answer: the relationships.

At ACS, education goes beyond textbooks—it’s about building a Christ-centered foundation where lifelong relationships take root and develop for years to come. A clear example of this enduring bond is the lifelong friendship between ACS alumni Dennis, Bobby, and Jon (class of 1975). Decades after walking the halls, running school scoreboards, and piling into vans for class trips, these three friends still make it a priority to walk through life together.

Deep Roots in a Shared Foundation

For Bobby (who spent all four years of high school at ACS) and Dennis (who joined as a junior), ACS was more than a school—it was a community where faith and character were cultivated daily.

Whether it was loving the Chorus with Mrs. Graham, learning the Bible with Mr. Graham, operating the scoreboard at basketball and soccer games, or taking memorable senior trips to Toronto, ACS provided a place to connect, grow, and have fun.

“It was an important part of a Christian foundation in my life. Family, church, and school all contributed to developing me as a Christian and educated person.” — Dennis

“ACS gave me a chance to know God better and have a positive outlook on life and the future.” — Bobby

From School Friends to Brothers for Life

As the years passed, life brought new seasons: careers, weddings, children, and grandchildren. Yet, the bond formed in the ACS hallways only grew stronger. For two in this group, a shared love for motorsports—specifically the annual Truck and Tractor Pulls at Benson and the State Fair—became an anchor for staying connected year after year. As Bobby put it, “We shared life. They met my wife, children, and now grandchildren.  Essentially, we all just stayed together as we moved through life.” 

Their annual traditions are not just about catching up on current events—they are about creating space to share life’s trials, hold each other accountable, and laugh together like they never left high school.

“We definitely reminisce about our days together back in school. We also catch up with each family and share problems that we may be facing today... It has been nice to have lifelong friends in which to share life's ups and downs.” — Dennis

“Year after year, we have continued to put God first and cheer each other on.” — Bobby

Advice for Today’s ACS Students

When asked what advice they would give to students sitting in ACS classrooms today, Dennis and Bobby offered timeless wisdom on making the most of these formative years:

Find common ground: "Developing an interest in doing things at school and outside of school is what enabled us to stay in touch." — Dennis

Hold fast to faith and trust: "Stay in school, trust in God, and find good friends you can trust." — Bobby

The story of Dennis, Bobby, and Jon reminds us of the true value of an ACS education and difference. The facts and formulas learned in class are vital, but the Christ-centered friendships formed within these walls can last a lifetime.

As we prepared the campus for our returning students this summer, the core strength of our community was on full display. We are immensely grateful for three powerful examples of partnership that transformed key areas of our school, driven by the dedication of volunteers and generous local support.

1. A New Foundation: Volunteers Transform the Music Room

If you step inside the gym and head upstairs to the music room (which many of the alumni refer to as the old band room), then you will find a rejuvenated space dedicated to worship and performing arts. A group of our incredible volunteers generously gave their time and skilled labor to completely replace the flooring of our music room. What was once an overlooked utility area is now a clean, professional-looking environment. We cannot wait for our music and worship arts students to utilize this newly renovated space this fall!

This project is a direct example of what makes our school special: people seeing a need and joyfully combining their time and talent to meet it. Thank you to the volunteers who laid this new foundation—not just for the flooring, but for the countless hours of praise and rehearsal that will echo there.

There is an additional need to fully complete this renovation project — a new AC window unit. If this is something you would be interested in supporting, simply email jmedley@alamance.org! 

2. Stewardship & Play: Refreshing the Playground

We also extend a huge thank you to iScapes, Inc. for the generous donation, delivery, and distribution of fresh mulch for our primary playground. On the day of delivery, one of our Pre-K students went home and said the following to their mom: "Praise the Lord, we got new mulch." It is challenging to us as adults when our youngest students immediately praise God for a gift, yet we are slow to do so!

Safety and accessibility are always our top priorities for our youngest students. This substantial refresh not only beautifies the space but, more importantly, enhances the critical safety layer beneath our playground equipment. It ensures that recesses are fun, clean, and secure. Stewardship like this directly impacts our students' daily experience, reminding us that we are all partners in providing an exceptional environment for them to learn and grow.

3. Church Volunteers Help with Landscaping

On a Friday night and Saturday morning, members from The Church of the Vine came to campus and helped with some landscaping needs. We have a special relationship with this local congregation as they meet in the gym on Sunday mornings as they are seeking direction from the Lord for a new space.

As you can see from the photos, they worked hard to beautify the campus and, more importantly, took time to move through our four-station Prayer Walk.  Physical labor is a blessing to the school; however, the spiritual labor in prayer means even more!

This summer, our campus has been blessed not only with physical upgrades but, more profoundly, with a reminder of the amazing community that supports us. We are truly better together!