Six SACS Grads Involved with Major Film Production!

There is still time,SACS Family, to reserve your tickets for this amazing film....Return to the Hiding Place. 

This acclaimed film has already won over 19 Film Festival Awards and Honors.  It was produced by a group of Christians with experience in the industry; however, they left their jobs to produce this one film because they believed so much in the story.

It is the only film ever allowed to film in the real Hiding Place in the Netherlands.  Even the original Billy Graham movie, The Hiding Place, which focused on the Ten Boom family, did not shoot in the real location. 

The six SACS graduates involved 

Peter Spencer - Director/Writer/Executive Producer

Rachel Spencer Hewitt - Actress

Josiah Spencer - Co-Director and Editor

Philip Roy - Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Gideon Spencer - Actor

Megan Pearce - Actress

Rusty Sugg, SACS Director of Admissions, filled in with this information:

"It was Peter Spencer’s parents, Duane and Mary Alice Spencer, who began Grace Bible College Preparatory School in 1966.  This school, of course, became San Antonio Christian Schools in 1972.  Peter was a student at Grace.  Three of Peter and Maria’s children (Rachel, Josiah, and Gideon) attended SACS.  Petra Spencer Pearce (the film’s producer) did not attend SACS, but her daughter, Megan Pearce, does and she represents the third generation of Spencer children to attend Grace/SACS.

SACS is abundantly blessed to have a good number of families who have been with us for two generations (former students whose children now attend SACS), but the Spencer/Pearce family has been with us since the very beginning.  I am sorry to say that I never knew Duane or Mary Alice, but we all are benefactors of their legacy."

Let's go enjoy this movie, and support our SACS family!  Dr. Walters has seen it and gives it a big thumbs up!!

Legacy Legends: Jan Taylor

                    “SACS is more than a school…SACS is a body of Christ.” This is one thing Jan Taylor, San Antonio Christian School’s (SACS) Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, has noticed during her thirty-four years at SACS. She believes SACS does more than prepare; it ministers. It has ministered to her family and has impacted them in many ways.

                    Taylor has had four children come through SACS. Her children are Zachary (38), Marie (37), and Kelly (34) and Kristen Taylor (34), whom are twins. They each started in kindergarten and stayed through their senior year, a total of 13 years each. The Taylor family has been with SACS from nearly the very beginning of the school since their graduating years were 1995, 1996, and 1998. After speaking of how SACS was like a community, Taylor says, “It’s been the kids friendships. It was their social.” Taylor says her children have maintained their friendships through SACS. One of Taylor’s daughters even married a fellow SACS grad that graduated in 1997. Taylor thinks SACS was and still is an important part of her children’s lives. She says, “I believe it was a very defining part of their growing up,” and she believes the things they learned at school reflect on how they now raise their children. Her children not only went to school everyday, but also went to their instrumental community.  

                    When Taylor came to San Antonio, she wanted to put her children in a private school, and SACS was one of the first and most common one she heard about. Taylor says, “I never even considered any other Christian school in town. SACS was the only one I thought of.” Taylor believes God opened the doors and allowed all four of her children to go through. After six years of having her children in SACS, she got her first job at the school as a Home Economics teacher. When asked why she wanted to work at SACS, she simply replied, “Because they [her children] were here.” She worked at the school, not only so her kids could go there, but also so she may be more involved in their lives. Between her Home Economics job and her current one, she has also been a Junior Varsity (JV) volleyball coach and has even been on the custodial staff. She worked wherever she was needed. At the school, Taylor knows she is there to serve, and her children were there to learn and have a strong Christian foundation built into them. Also, while at the school, she has gained many friends that have always been right there with her to encourage her in her walk with Christ. By working there, Taylor says, “I was able to plug into the ministry of SACS.” She says SACS is not a private school, but a tight-knit ministry that helps construct young Christian lives, and Taylor fit perfectly into it.

                    Because she has been at SACS for so long, Taylor has been able to notice things most likely many others have not. When speaking of the foundation, she compares the school to a house. Much like a house, the school has had many repairs or changes throughout the years, but the foundation stays the same.  “There’s been changes, there’s been good times, there’s been bad times, but the foundation of Christ being preeminent at this school has held firm,” says Taylor. SACS’s foundation is to minster to each other and all those who come their way to build on the Body of Christ. That is what SACS will always be, a Body of Christ. Because of this, Taylor believes SACS has been such a blessing in her family’s lives with its support. She also believes its strong spiritual environment that branches off its foundation has been a positive influence that is always ministering to her and her family. She says, “SACS teaches faith, truth, integrity… there’s loving discipline.” This Body of Christ may teach all the academics and fine arts, but most importantly, it ministers.

                    Through Taylor, it is easy to see how SACS is more than a school. It is not only a place to go to for eight hours to merely grow in the knowledge of math, science, and the many other classes it offers. SACS is a powerful social community. It is a constructing tight-knit ministry. And most importantly, San Antonio Christian Schools is a Body of Christ. 

Reported and Written by Rebecca James, SACS High School freshman

Battle of Flowers Day....Viva Fiesta!!

Happy Weekend!

Elementary Celebrates All Things Texan!

We are Texan and Proud to Shout it!!  April 11 was a day full of celebrating spring, Texas heritage, and Fiesta for Sacs Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

And everyone enjoyed the party while learning of our major cultures which made Texas all that it is today.  Special zones included Hispanic/Fiesta...German...and real Texas Cowboys!!

There were 20+ booths included a chuck wagon, roping practice, tin punching, games such as a washer toss, singing and story telling around the campfire, tortilla making, cascarones, more cascarones, the Mexican hat dance, sausage making, Maypole dancing, spinning wheel, Scripture recitation in German, cloggers, candle making, tug-of-war, and much much more.

Thank you to all who made it a super celebration!!

Photography by SACS Sophomore and Yearbook Staffer, Allison Ling!

c.

Legacy Legends: Rusty Sugg

Mr. Rusty Sugg has been working at San Antonio Christian Schools (SACS) for 24 years and is now the Director of Admissions at the school. He began looking for a temporary job as a middle school Bible teacher, but it did not take long for him to realize this is where he wanted to stay. Sugg understood that God is a sovereign God and he always had the best in mind for him. He has now impacted the lives of many students and families as a result of being here for over two decades. 

One of the great things about SACS, according to Sugg, is that it is a partnership school. Meaning the school works with the families and the church to influence how the child or young adult develops in their Christian and academic walks. The parents, the teachers, and the coaches all have an influence on the student's life. The community of SACS raises the child all together.  The phrase it takes a village to raise a child is actually an appropriate one for this case. 

A specific instance about SACS that best exemplifies this, is when the SACS football team played the Giddings State School, which is a juvenile correction facility. Giddings did not have any cheerleaders, a band, or even many fans, so that is where SACS came in. The SACS students would sit on the visitor side of the bleachers and cheer for the Giddings Indians as well as the cheerleaders and band. Sugg recalls, "…every Giddings player received a 'goody bag' that contained letters of encouragement written by our football players to theirs, a Bible, and fun stuff to eat and drink for the trip back". The school did something small for Giddings, but it impacted them in a big way. The experience also affected the SACS players and will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Cory Sugg was a wide receiver on the team during this time.  Both Sugg sons, Cory and Jordan, graduated from SACS and Texas A & M University.  Both serve Christ in their chosen professions, and are married.

Written by Walker Leonard, SACS freshman

Story of the Nail - Part Two

A Nail in the Heart

By Rebecca James, Freshman SACS High School

            He was hated among the Jews. He was to be put to death for blasphemy Jesus was to be hung on cross. He was to be gone forever, despite what His followers said.  I put Him on that cross. I helped give him an excruciating death. Before Jesus even carried the cross, I was glad to put Him to death. He caused chaos among the people with His preaching, and I couldn’t wait to see the light leave His eyes. However, my view soon changed due to one nail.

            The whip sliced through the air just before it sliced his skin. I put all my strength into it. His flinches and cringes of pain fueled my anger at Him. I could not wait to drive the thin, pointed pieces of metal into His flesh, or at least that’s what I thought. Jesus continuously stumbled as he trudged up the hill with the thick and heavy cross on his bleeding back. We eventually had to get someone else to help Him. His weakness made me feel stronger. I was carrying the three cold nails in my hand as we approached His place of death.

The other guards laid Him on the cross as I grabbed my hammer. I started with His grimy feet. I placed the nail and I swung the hammer with all my might. I swung again, and the nail went in even deeper. Once more and the now bloody nail hit the wood. He cried out in pain, and the people around shrieked as they saw the Son of God being treated as a lowly criminal. I questioned their reaction. Why were they acting so wildly? I thought they must already know that the man I just nailed isn’t truly who is He says He is. I brushed this thought off, and I grabbed the second nail. I drove it into his wrist even harder. He cried even louder, and the shrieks of the people grew. One shriek in particular struck me as hard as I struck Jesus. It was one of the twelve men who followed Him. His yell sounded as if he was the one on the cross. It sunk down deep into my bones.

My hands shaking, I reached down for the final nail. As I walked over to finish my job, I dropped the nail. I stood there as I watched it roll down into the crowd. I refocused and walked into the crowd to retrieve the final nail. I went through the sea of shouting people, bent down and clutched the nail.

As I looked up, pleading eyes stared down at me. Their faces were full of despair. It seemed as if their whole worlds were falling apart. At that moment, it felt like the nail I was holding was being driven into my heart. I realized these people would have no reason to act so passionately if Jesus was not the Son of God. All of the anger I had rushed out of me. The nail in my chest was panging as I realized what I was doing. I was killing the Messiah. I was hanging the one who spoke messages from the one true God, Maker of the Universe.

I slowly walked back towards the cross. The nail that only weighed two pounds felt like it weighed 2,000. I placed the final nail on His remaining wrist and I drove the hammer down. With each hit on the nail, more tears streamed down my face. My atrocious task was over. The cross was lifted, and Jesus, instead of screaming and yelling, cried out to God to forgive us, the ones persecuting me. The nail in my heart was driven in deeper. I ran off the hill and collapsed once I passed the crowd. I did not understand how God could forgive me for what I just did. As I sat crying in the dust, I promised to God I would live out the rest of my life for Him. Because of one nail, my entire life had changed. Four days later, I heard the new Jesus had risen from the dead just the day before. At that moment I knew through God, anything was possible. I knew even the worst sinner could be forgiven.

May all have a blessed Easter weekend!

He is Risen, indeed!

(Journalism students were asked to write stories about these nails in celebration of Easter)

Photography By Erin McGrew, senior

Meet the Board: Bruce Johnson

            Mr. Bruce Johnson, Chairman of the Board,  has served on the SACS Board for 10 years. He currently has three children attending SACS; Courtney in 10^th grade, Parker in 8^th grade, and Christy in 6^th grade. Mr. Johnson enjoys spending time with his children by fishing and generally being outdoors, such as taking father/son and father/daughter trips to various places. His favorite thing about having his children attend SACS is, “Knowing that SACS teachers pray for our kids every day and use the Bible as the source of truth for educating them.” In his day-to-day job, Mr. Johnson works as a Business Appraiser. 

The hardest aspect about serving on the Board for Mr. Johnson is making budget decisions to pay faculty while keeping the tuition within an affordable price. His favorite aspect about serving on the SACS Board is, “seeing the impact of a Christ-Centered education on young lives to prepare them for works of service.” Mr. Johnson’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39, which says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Written by Adam Wyatt, staff writer for The Revelation

A Gold Medalist Among Us!

We have known for some time our talented senior, Jessica Renteria, is amazing in acobatic gymnastics, but now she wears a gold medal to prove it.
Jessica is on her way back from world competition in Puurs, Belgium where she competed in the Senior division for ages 12+ in the Flauders International Acro-Cup.  It truly is amazing to watch this gracious young lady lift and toss her smaller partner with so much beauty and precision. 

The Useless Nail

(Journalism students were asked to write stories about these nails. In celebration of Easter, we would like to share some of these over the next week.

HE IS RISEN!)

He screamed a bloodcurdling scream. His frail body was bloody from the top of his head down to his toes. The guards handling me threw me down and grabbed a hammer.
My point hit the flesh. Deeper and deeper I was shoved into this poor man’s wrist. All that went through my iron, flat head was the question of “What did this man do to deserve having me shoved through his fragile wrist?”. 
The guards were not sad, in fact, they were laughing! My stiff shaft now impaling this poor man’s arm, my point piercing thick wood. The man repeating a single verse. 

He kept asking his father to help him. 
Obviously his father could not hear him, he was placed upon a cross and he was whispering. Only I and the other nails could hear this man. He was not evil enough to be a criminal, he seemed kind and warm. Something was wrong, this man should not be on 
this cross with my unbending body sticking through him.
The thick layer of blood on my shaft made me think hard. This man’s blood felt strange on me. I had an alarming sense telling that this man should not be here. I wanted to know who he was, so I sat quietly and listened. 
The guards laughed around and taunted this man. When he asked for a drink, they gave him vinegar. When they retrieved all of his clothes, the guards gambled them 
off. Throughout all of this, the guards continued to taunt this man calling him “Lord” and
“Master”. 
The shock came to me, he was not an ordinary man, he was Jesus. The Jesus. I was nervous. Nervous that I was touching Him. I had holy blood covering my cold, metal shaft. My view on everything changed. I despised the guards. Why were they laughing at the Son of God? 

All of the events I witnessed came back to me. The whole time the guard was 
holding me in his moist, sweaty hands as we walked through the streets people 
surrounded us. The guards shoved away all kinds of people. They all seemed to hate 
Jesus, then others loved him. 
Some women weeped and wiped his face. Some men arose and spat into his 
face. I could not understand what was happening at the time, but now I did. I sat and 
thought about this wonderful Jesus. He was our Savior, well the Savior that all humans had been longing for. I am just a speechless, inanimate nail. Now, humans could live forever.
I heard a ticking and a rustling. The cross was being taken down. All of it happened fast. I was placed to the side like I meant nothing. Men carried Jesus’ body to a tomb. The rock I was placed on was a spot that I could perfectly see the tomb of Jesus. How was he a Savior? He was dead. That made no sense. I was forgotten. A 
blood stained nail just laid on a rock and forgotten. 
Three days later, I saw two glowing figures. They removed the stone blocking the 
entrance to the tomb. There he came. Jesus alive. He walked over to me and wiped me off with cloak. I was mortified. I was in the hands of a Savior. 
I was placed back down, clean, and never remembered. However, I will remember the day that Jesus held the useless nail.

Photography by senior Erin McGrew
Article written by freshman Makenzie Ashley

Have a wonderful weekend...remember tonight's movie under the stars, baseball game, and The Battle of The Bands tomorrow!

Legacy Legends: Rich Flora

(Legacy Legends are stories written by SACS Students about some of our longest serving employees and their families.)

 He didn’t start as a teacher. His first job at the school was building portables. Now, he is one of the most loved and respected teachers who is famous for playing his guitar and harmonica simultaneously. Rich Flora has worked at San Antonio Christian Schools (SACS) for twenty-nine years, but before that he was a homebuilder. While laying the roof on one of the portables, the elementary school principal of SACS at the time learned he had a teaching certificate and a week later offered him a job. He was glad to leave the building trade and join his true passion of working in the ministry. Flora found his niche.

            Flora has had three children come to SACS. His children are Dusty (37), who started the same year Flora did, Laura (35), and Abbie Flora (32). Each of his children started at SACS as kindergarteners and journeyed all the way through their senior year, a total of thirteen years each. For the Floras, SACS allowed their family to stay together. Flora says, “It’s been almost a home for us away from home.” For his children SACS was important because it was their childhood; it was their growing up. Flora has been able to watch his children have really good friendships through SACS that have lasted beyond the classroom and beyond graduation. Not only did they build their friendships, but they also built on their Christian foundation. At the school, Flora was able to do what he loved and his family was able to stay close. For his family, it was a good niche.

            Flora never really enjoyed being a homebuilder. Because of this he was delighted when he was offered a job at SACS. He could now go into to his dream job of working in ministry. Like many other teachers, he didn’t start with the job he has now. For his first five years, he worked in the elementary. Then, for the majority of his time at SACS, he was the Freshman Bible teacher for a total of twenty-one years. Now for his third year, he is happily teaching Bible to the seniors. SACS has been a place to invest his life. He hasn’t had to move his family much like he did when he was young, and he knows he is blessed because of it. While working at SACS, Flora says, “It has given me a ministry that I could invest myself in for most of my adult life.” Not only has being a part of SACS been something he wanted, but Flora also knows it is something God wanted. Being at SACS has allowed him to know what the will of God is for him on a long-term basis. God has allowed him to find what he needs. Flora says, “I found a niche here that I never question or caused me to want to leave.”

            Throughout his twenty-nine years at SACS, Flora has noticed how much SACS has changed. He has been able to watch SACS grow. He is able to remember when a class would have only eighteen students, and now they have about one hundred. Flora says, “We don’t have the luxury of the small school feeling anymore.” Even though the school has grown immensely, Flora still sees a loyalty among the students to the teachers that taught them, and Flora says he still has many students he has kept in contact with. Flora has even had the opportunity to officiate at seven plus SACS graduate weddings. Not only is SACS loyal, Flora says, “It is a prime environment for both excellence in learning and mentoring and disciplining young people for their life.” He says SACS is important because it prepares its student on how to approach careers and wanting to make a difference for the Lord. Even though the size and many other things have changed, Flora still fits right into his niche.

            Flora, in his twenty-nine years, has been very involved in SACS. Even though it’s not biological, he views SACS kids as his own children. He loves the education, the music, the ministry, the mission trips, and he overall loves the kind of place SACS is. Everyone needs a niche and Flora found his. He says, “My “niche” has been teaching and loving SACS students for about 30 years and I’m blessed to have been afforded that privilege.” Flora found the perfect niche. 

Written by Rebecca James, Freshman SACS High School

ALSO, CHECK OUT AN UPDATE TO THE SACS ADMISSIONS PAGE ...JUST
CLICK ON THE PAGE ABOVE!!

Meet Our Board: Al Philippus

Meet Our Board

            Mr. Al Philippus, who currently has two children, Hallee and Holden in 8^th grade, has served on the SACS Board for a little over one year. He loves going to Lake LBJ and playing water sports with his children in their spare time. Mr. Philippus loves having his children attend SACS because, “SACS is a place where my children can enjoy spiritual and academic growth in an environment that prepares them for works of service and leadership through Christian values.  In addition, my wife and I believe SACS provides at atmosphere where they are challenged and encouraged to be a reflection of Christ to others.” In his day-to-day job, Mr. Philippus works as a Vice President at Valero Energy Corporation. 

The most difficult aspect of working on the SACS Board, Mr. Philippus says, “is dealing with disciplinary appeals where students have been dismissed from the school for serious violation(s) of school policy.” However, the most enjoyable part is serving the Lord and our families. His favorite Bible verse is Matthew 20:26-28, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Written by Adam Wyatt, staff writer for The Revelation

An Important Word from Our Board!

Dear SACS Families,

Since returning from Spring Break, there have been a lot of changes in our SACS community. The parents who make up the school board, and I would like to update you on the work that God is doing in our school family. We know that God is good and, while He does not promise us that life will be easy here on earth, His love and grace are sufficient. He has seen us through hard times before and He has always provided.

Hosea 6:3 reminds us that we can depend on the goodness of our Lord so completely that as we press on while seeking after Him…”As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” (NIV) Throughout the last few months, the school has seen this verse hold true. God has answered many prayers and I would like to share those with you. As sure as the morning sun, God has provided.

I am pleased to report that our current cash flow deficit for the year has been reduced by a third. The decrease in the schools deficit was a result of gifts and financial changes implemented by the school over a very short amount of time. We know that all good things come from God (James 1:17), and, I hope you will join me in thanking our Lord for His provision.

God did not just provide a change in our cash flow deficit but also in the area of provision for our school employees. While expenses and faculty salaries were frozen earlier this year, Dr. Walters announced to the staff on Wednesday that, due to the unexpected refinancing of our current loan, all school employees will receive a cost of living raise next year. What a joy it is to see God bless our school employees as they placed their trust in and submitted themselves to a faithful God. They truly, have leaned on the verse in Hosea, knowing that God is the one who is Sovereign and faithful.

God’s faithfulness continues to pour out as seen in His provision of complete funding of the school’s in-house scholarship program for the 2014-2015 school year. Due to tuition increases and added fees, we knew that some of our school families would need additional financial support to remain at SACS. Over the last few weeks, God has provided through unexpected gifts and all those who have applied for scholarship assistance can be helped. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 105:1-3

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”

Additionally, as of today, enrollment of new students and re-enrollment of existing students is holding strong and we are encouraged that next year’s enrollment is at 95% of anticipated capacity. New families and students are continually being interviewed and enrolled. Please continue to pray for these new additions to our school family.

Speaking of additions, we are excited to announce the hiring of Brandon Parrott as the new athletic director for SACS. Brandon is a Godly, energetic and experienced individual who will continue to build on the fantastic sports program we currently enjoy. Brandon, along with his wife Shelly and their two girls are a wonderful addition to our family, and, we are blessed that God has directed their steps to minister at SACS for such a time as this. Brandon will be transitioning into his new role over the next couple of weeks and has already started a search for the new head football coach. We are blessed with a group of dedicated football dads who assist with the coaching, and have committed to working with the program again this year with great enthusiasm.

We are also pleased with the response to our secondary principal search. Several highly qualified individuals have applied and been interviewed. Further details regarding the final candidate will be forthcoming. To clarify a question that has been asked, the middle school and high school will continue to operate as separate entities under the supervision of one principal. The middle school and high school offices will remain as they are now and be fully staffed in order to run the day-to-day operations. Though one principal will have the oversight of both schools, Dr. Erbaugh will teach 6^th grade science and be serving in an administrative role in the middle school office. His duties will include assisting with coordinating retreats, special events, class scheduling, curriculum mapping, training and mentoring and other administrative needs. The incoming principal will work with faculty hiring, reviews, evaluations, discipline, parent issues and academic issues.

We see God’s provision in these blessings to enable the continuation of the school’s mission of providing a Christ-centered education to prepare students for works of service. The vision of SACS is to:

• Be intentional about spiritual growth and encouraging a student’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
• Provide the best college preparatory education for each SACS student,
• Focus on a balance between student’s work, extracurricular activities and family life,
• Pay down debt and not incur any new debt,
• Fully utilize our current infrastructure (no new building projects),
• Provide first class training for teachers and fill new teaching and staff positions with the highest quality individuals.

I want to thank you for coming together as a school family and for your generosity as you have been a shining example to our students during each season that God calls us to walk. Your faithfulness to a faithful God is evident in your support and prayers for the school. Recently, a letter was received from a current parent that blessed and encouraged us in this time of transition. The letter was gracious and kind as the writer stated, “I believe we need to band together and weather the storm. Remembering that we are believers in Christ first…after all, how we handle these situations serve as a testimony to others and ultimately should bring glory to Him.”

Because of Christ,

Bruce A. Johnson

Chairman, Board of Trustees