HCCA's Quest for Excellence

In the following message, Stacey and I share with you our heart regarding HCCA's quest for Academic and Spiritual Excellence. This message, on the value and responsibility of Christian educators and caregivers at HCCA, came to Stacey and me through our study of God's word prior to founding HCCA in 1996. Driven by our desire to glorify God in all we do, it is our hope and desire that it will inspire you to excellence through Christ.

God Bless each of you,

T.J. & Stacey Lee

Every school, as it matures and develops, wants to be known for academic excellence and accomplishing its mission. This is especially true of Hampton Cove Christian Academy, because our spiritual mission is primary and fundamental to all that we do. We must remember, however, that our "quest for excellence" should not derive from a desire to receive acclaim from the world but to honor God, whose very name is excellent. (Psalm 8:1)

You could say that HCCA is a school that offers a "Biblically-based, high quality educational experience." One of the most significant challenges we face in the future as a Christian school-- open to all children -- is to remain spiritually solid, while achieving academic excellence.

The intent of the phrase, "Biblically-based, high quality education," simply means that the quality of education is excellent, and academic courses are Biblically integrated. Scripture addresses this matter quite explicitly when we read about four young men living in captivity in an environment that is hostile to God and everything He stands for. In the Old Testament reference to Daniel and his friends, we read: "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning." (Daniel 1:17 NIV)

God certainly did not send unprepared men into His service. They were not only better; they were "ten times better!" And not just ten times better than the average young man on the streets of Babylon, but ten times better than all the king's counselors and advisors.

I believe that it is incumbent upon each of us, as Christian educators, care givers and spiritual leaders, to think deeply on the significance of both the academic preparation, as well as the spiritual, physical and lifestyle preparation that God provided for these young men, who would not only rise to the occasion but also would make a difference for their world.

Now here we are, dozens of centuries later, each of us standing in a place of high calling, serving as God's instruments and preparing young men and women to live and serve in a world and culture that runs counter to every essence of Christ's likeness. You and I stand derelict to God's call if we ignore either the spiritual or the academic...in sacrifice and service God always calls for us to put forth our best. Never should we be found in a place of sacrificing our spiritual focus so that academic advantage might be had nor should the academic be sacrificed in the name of strengthening the spiritual. Rather, in the "Quest for Excellence," it is our individual responsibility to be firmly grounded in Christ with His Word ingrained in our hearts and minds. Our academic preparation and presentation must be the very best we can offer.

In our "Quest" to fulfill God's purpose and vision for HCCA, Stacey and I are committed to employing the best teachers on and to not compromising the decisions we must make regarding methodology and curriculum or the selection of textbooks. We must never settle for "okay," "fair" or "acceptable" from one another. We must continually recognize that our aim, both collectively and as individual educators and care givers, is to "train up a child" so that each student will be prepared to serve in the place God calls him or her, and that in that place, he or she will truly make a difference. Think about it for a moment: Why else would God's word tell us how prepared Daniel and his friends were in "understanding of all kinds of literature and learning," were it not for this purpose?

May our vision for the school we serve, Hampton Cove Christian Academy, never neglect this "Quest for Excellence."

HCCA's long-term success, as a Christian school known for academic and spiritual excellence, wholly depends on our founders and administration having well established, clearly defined and ordered values that are communicated effectively and frequently to all families, as well as a true servant-leadership spirit that is encouraged and supported in the lives of every staff person.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. For it is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Col 3:23-24)