On Friday, April 20, 2012, BWCA was honored with a special visit by Apostle and Mother Edwards of Greenville, SC, and Bishop and Mother Matthews of Lafayette, La., and Missionary Patricia Doxie. The students and staff were greeted by our guests during chapel service. Chapel was led by our eighth grade class and the students sang, “Trading our Sorrows”. During the visit to the classrooms, students recited bible verses, explained projects, and assignments and sang bible songs. On Saturday, April 21, 2012, Apostle Edwards brought a powerful word of encouragement at the 14th Pastoral Anniversary service for Bishop and Mother McCrea.
We praise God for the “vision” of our founders, Bishop and Mother Green, and now strive to “add to it”. They believed that a Christian education was the best way to prepare children for their future and were called to spread God’s word to families abroad by reaching out to their children. Their dream became a reality in 1983 with a group of eight students. Their first staff consisted of Dr. and Mother Green, and their daughter, the late Felicia Ann Green. From that humble beginning, the school has grown to over 160 students and a staff of over 25 teachers, workers, and administrative staff. BWCA’s ultimate goal and purpose is to provide “academic excellence in a Christian environment” as we now educate students in pre-school through the eighth grade.
Last year, we were blessed to purchase and renovate the property we lovingly call the “Pink House”. It now houses our Pre-Kindergarten program. The parsonage has also been renovated and our new program Green Pastures Pre-school, named in honor of our founders, was officially opened on August 15, 2011. New playground play structures, sidewalks, bathrooms, and parking were added. God has been good to us and with the help of God, we will continue to grow.
We are so grateful for the pioneers who laid the foundation in this part of the vineyard. Not only did the Greens build a church, but worked diligently in the community to encourage our people to go to school and college, apply and get positions in the workforce, and to raise healthy families. Bishop and Mother Green have left a lasting legacy on our community. After the passing of Dr. Lonnie Green, a new elementary school was named in his honor, Lonnie Green Elementary School. Through Bible Way Christian Academy, the late Mother Doris Green touched many lives and we now reap the blessing of seeing former students bring their children to receive the same Christian education they received. We are blessed to continue to hear countless testimonies from grateful parents and students who acknowledge God and those who taught them at our academy.
At times it has been a struggle to walk in such “big shoes”, and to continue the work that has been left to us. But God gives strength and victory as we do His will. We are so blessed to be the shepherd and wife of the “Oasis in the Desert” that is Bible Way Church and Academy in Del Rio, Texas.
