Nothing is more powerful and gratifying in ministry than when you hear your school ministry’s brand being shared back to you by a family you’ve partnered with. I had that experience back in May at our annual Friends of Anchor Benefit Banquet. The Banquet is an invitation-only event, not that we intend to exclude anyone, but rather that this event specifically honors those who have committed their time, talents, and treasure over the years to our Lutheran School, often financially quite substantially, simply because they believe in our mission and purpose. Most of the people invited have no children in our school; we specifically use this event to connect with those supporters who have no connection through enrolled children. We also invite the members of our Board of Directors, and the Faculty and Staff of the school, as these people also give of themselves tirelessly to this school ministry.
The primary focus of the event is helping our supporters see the meaningful impact Anchor Lutheran School is making in the lives of children and families. We’ve done this in a variety of ways over the years; this time it was through the testimony of an 8th Grade family that has traveled with us since preschool. The mom got up in front of our group and shared how their lives have changed through the Anchor Lutheran experience, a 10 year relationship (since preschool). She expressed her appreciation that our Lutheran School provides a great educational program, but noted many other schools are also able to deliver on such a need. What most strongly came out through the message was that what Anchor does most effectively is grow relationships. Staff take the time to truly get to know their students, and to develop relationships with parents. Likewise, parents are encouraged to be engaged, participating in the life of the school. Through these opportunities parents develop relationships with the other parents of our school. This parent speaker touched on how what the whole family will take with them as their daughter graduates is the treasured relationships they have made with the other families and with the school, and their daughter’s friendships with her peers which they expect will remain strong moving ahead. She can see how the Lord used our Lutheran School as the vehicle to grow their family closer to others, to intentionally love people as God has loved us, and their lives will forever be richer because of this.
I was moved and humbled to hear this testimony. Yes, this is what we exist for as a Lutheran School, to connect with people through God’s love and to help them grow closer to him through the meaningful investment in the lives of those we touch. For this particular family, our brand has been resoundingly strong and true, and they are enthusiastic sharers of what they’ve experienced. We give thanks to be able to see and hear it in such clear, genuine testimony.
The primary focus of the event is helping our supporters see the meaningful impact Anchor Lutheran School is making in the lives of children and families. We’ve done this in a variety of ways over the years; this time it was through the testimony of an 8th Grade family that has traveled with us since preschool. The mom got up in front of our group and shared how their lives have changed through the Anchor Lutheran experience, a 10 year relationship (since preschool). She expressed her appreciation that our Lutheran School provides a great educational program, but noted many other schools are also able to deliver on such a need. What most strongly came out through the message was that what Anchor does most effectively is grow relationships. Staff take the time to truly get to know their students, and to develop relationships with parents. Likewise, parents are encouraged to be engaged, participating in the life of the school. Through these opportunities parents develop relationships with the other parents of our school. This parent speaker touched on how what the whole family will take with them as their daughter graduates is the treasured relationships they have made with the other families and with the school, and their daughter’s friendships with her peers which they expect will remain strong moving ahead. She can see how the Lord used our Lutheran School as the vehicle to grow their family closer to others, to intentionally love people as God has loved us, and their lives will forever be richer because of this.
I was moved and humbled to hear this testimony. Yes, this is what we exist for as a Lutheran School, to connect with people through God’s love and to help them grow closer to him through the meaningful investment in the lives of those we touch. For this particular family, our brand has been resoundingly strong and true, and they are enthusiastic sharers of what they’ve experienced. We give thanks to be able to see and hear it in such clear, genuine testimony.