South County Gets New

Christian High School

By Jim Day  

GreenPark Community Church, just 12 months old, launched a new Christian high school with high expectations. GreenPark Christian Academy (GPCA) plans to focus on helping the students prepare for the world both spiritually as well as academically.

As a ministry of the church, GPCA will move beyond academic achievements to life transformation through God’s Word. “Two out of every three Christian students leave their faith after high school. We plan to change that by emphasizing the relevancy of biblical teaching in every area of the student's academic life,” says Brian Will, senior co-pastor of GreenPark Community Church. “GreenPark Christian Academy will focus on preparing each student to solidify and defend their faith with confidence as they enter the world. They will leave this place fully prepared to be a light ‘unto this world.’”

GPCA’s vision is to be an effective instrument of God. Together with Christian parents and the church, they plan to educate young people so that they may grow and mature into perceptive and caring Christians while producing citizens who will have a transforming influence in the world.

Not only will GPCA (located in what used to be the Most Precious Blood Catholic school) focus on the spiritual development of their students but exemplary academic achievement as well. They will offer a variety of Advanced Placement classes as well as a multitude of classes that will allow them to accumulate college credit.

GPCA is a program designed to help the youth build strong academic skills, effective personal and social problem-solving techniques, and productive pre-career and workplace skills. GPCA plans to go ‘out of the box’ in its teaching styles and approaches. “Students today are looking for a fresh new way to learn about and interact with their world. We plan to get the students out of their seats and into the world as much as possible. Experiencing education as well as being taught so they can develop a pattern of thinking, feeling and actually implementing what they have learned.”

The teachers are qualified to meet the high educational standards set by the school. GPCA sees every teacher as a minister to the students, discipling those they teach. According to Pastor Will, “We expect a high level of involvement in the students' lives.”

Although the school is separate from the church, the congregation is excited about investing in the lives of the students. According to member Carlis Blunt, “I am excited about the opportunity to minister to these young people.” The teachers and students will work in support of the church goals and the church will support the growth of the students. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” Pastor Will says.

In addition to the High School, GPCA is starting a preschool for children ages 3 to 5 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents will be able to chose from a 2, 3 or 5 day program.

August will be GreenPark Community Church’s one year anniversary – a church that has been built on faith and obedience to follow God’s call.

In November of 2005 the Wills knew that God was calling them to plant a church. Even though they had no congregation or denominational backing they took a leap of faith and began GreenPark by donating their home as the down payment to purchase the church building. Pastor Will says “the church is made up of the people but the building is just a tool that the membership can use to reach out to the community’s needs.”

The reason they purchased the property located at 3635 Union Road was so that in addition to planting a church they could implement their vision of the Christian high school. Pastor Will says that “the 36,000 square foot building has plenty of room for the church and school to grow.” The building has 16 large classrooms, a sanctuary that seats 500 and a fellowship hall with a commercial kitchen attached. Although GPCC started off with very little it has been continuously blessed with donations of kitchen equipment, furniture, office equipment, and musical instruments including a beautiful baby grand piano.

God has continued to meet the needs of this small church every step of the way. GreenPark Community Church is a non-denominational church that opens its doors to all people who desire to grow in their relationship with Christ. Their motto is “a real church for real people” because they are real people with real joys and real problems who understand the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ. Their desire is for the church to be a part of the community by serving those who live in it in any way they can. Their hopes and dreams are to make a difference in the neighborhood as well as the city by meeting its unique needs. Sunday contemporary worship service begins at 9:30 a.m. with Bible study at 11a.m. Their children’s ministry is from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Registration for GreenPark Christian Academy fall classes has already begun. For more information regarding the church, visit their website at www.greenparkchurch.com. For information regarding the school visit www.gpcacademy.com. GreenPark is located at 3635 Union Road in South St. Louis County, MO and their phone number is (314) 416-7000.