The sky was turning dark and a fall breeze blew as Christy walked through the parking lot. After carefully loading her boxes and climbing into her car, she breathed a sigh of relief. Another day of teaching was done and she was tired. The boxes reminded Christy that while class was over, her work was not done. There were papers to grade, lessons to be planned . . . and kids to be prayed for.

Growing up in a Christian home was foundational for Christy and the path she has chosen. Her parents instilled in her strong, biblically-based values that she holds dear to this day. One summer, while attending a junior high week at Angeles Crest Christian Camp, Christy went forward to confess Christ. Her decision put Christy on the road to ministry and service.

Teaching as Ministry

Christy enjoyed working in the children's ministry department of her church. Following her baptism, Christy was even more motivated to teach children and lay a biblical foundation for them. Her parents were also involved in the children's ministry, which made serving enjoyable for the whole family. As Christy matured and continued working with children, her thoughts turned to teaching as a profession. Because her dad has been a teacher all his life, his enjoyment of his job and his ability to reach out and minister to students made her decision an easy one. After attending college and earning her teaching credentials, Christy began teaching in the elementary department of a public school.

As a Christian teacher in a public school, Christy knew she might face challenges to her faith. The first challenge she experienced was how to integrate her faith without being too overt. As a new teacher Christy did not want to cross the line and risk losing her job or the respect of her supervisors. She often worried about a child or parent complaining if she mentioned attending church or her faith. In response to that challenge Christy first became a Christlike example. While other teachers joined in gossip, Christy resisted the temptation, knowing that living for Christ included the words that came out of her mouth and the things she listened to.

As Christy continued to teach, she found new and effective ways to share her faith. During the Christmas season one of her students asked if he could draw a picture of Jesus instead of Santa. The little boy was a Christian and his mom was one of her room moms. The volunteer asked if Christy was a Christian. When Christy responded affirmatively the volunteer said, "I could tell. I knew there was something different about you." That statement gave Christy the confirmation she needed to know she was making a difference in the lives of her students and others around her.

Public or Private School?

One question Christy struggled with was whether to teach in a public or a private school. She knew there would be tremendous ministry opportunities in a public school which may not exist in a private school. However, she felt drawn to a private school by her desire to teach children about religion and faith. Christy was soon thrust into a private school situation and clearly found her answer.

While teaching at the private school she was astonished at the number of non-Christian kids who were enrolled. Christy discovered many opportunities to pray with kids and openly share her faith. During the religion portion of her curriculum, many of her students asked questions which gave her opportunities to talk about Jesus and the gospel. While she appreciated the advantages of sharing her faith in a private school, she also missed teaching in the public school system.

Through her teaching in both public and private settings, God gave Christy the answer she had been looking for. God could and would use Christy in whatever setting she was in. Something else became clear to Christy as she experienced these different teaching situations. God has directed her on this path and now, more than ever, Christy knows she will always work with children in one capacity or another. This confidence has solidified her faith and strengthened her will to share her faith one school day at a time. 

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best