History (A poem, title and author unknown)

One somber evening, at Chapel in the Pines,
A planning group met, for a meeting of the minds.
A dream was in jeopardy, a quest still denied,
But people were meeting, their faith to be tried.
Students were needed, a building, more plans-
"Three students will do." suggested Dan Janz
The less faithful prevailed, to raise it to ten
But Heartland Christian Academy was born, there and then-    (Selah)

A school board was formed that very same night,
In the still air of prayer, trembling, and fright.
The members were chosen like Gideons men-
   the willing stayed, the others left then.
The world would say, of those that remained,
   that they possessed more "of guts, than brains."
But the Lord would prove faithful, to His chosen few,
As they prayerfully attempted His bidding to do.

So the first board was chosen, its number was nine:
   Jim Landes, the chairman, Deb Spreng, Kathy Duerst,
   Darrell McCannell, Bill Bradley, and Bob Balsiger,
   Dan Janz, Chuck Clark, and Dale Grover too.
The school would be led by these first few.

There was work to be done, but little time, and less money.
There were decisions to be made, more crucial than funny.
The first step of faith was a $2,000 note-
And all the the feeling the school was no joke.

The policy committee had met, but were in a fix.
Ouradnik had told them, "Change this, and this!"
For children, students, all were fervently praying,
But how many we'd get, several or few
   only God knew, and He wasn't saying.    (Selah)

On August 15th, the teachers were hired
   the Board, having been mired
In a long, long evening of prayer, tears, and faith,
   went home weak, limp, and tired.

The first five teachers were an interesting lot;
Debby as treasurer had not been so hot,
so to ease the heartache of having her fired
the Board decided to tell her, "You're hired!"

Barb came over from that St. Phillips place,
and as a teacher proved a real "ACE"
With her guitar she'll pick and grin,
and sing of God's love, His opposition to sin

Kathy's lesson plans were perfect, just fine -
She wrote as though the Lord Himself would study each line.
Margery was a bit of a derelict, borne from the Twin Cities,
But was doing a great job with her primary kiddies.

It seemed the only area from whence trouble could spring
Was directly involved with the principal of the thing.
After all, a welder had seemed the best bet!
God's grace and power may be sorely tested yet.

The policy committee's last word was
   "We're working on it, we're on our toes!"
Ouradnik had seen the by-laws, and said "Change those!"

There were many needs, and many were met
   but when whatever was needed was not offered yet;
Bill Bradley, and others, knew what to do -
   they'd find a friend and ask, "Can I pray out loud to you?"

September 2, the first day of school!
All were anxious, excited, a little bit scared -
What was the future of a school that dared
to stress God's word, and the Golden Rule?

The first batch of students was a real strange crew:
   Two Clarks, then one, then once again two -
Two Lawrences, two Juettens, two Lahmans, and more
A Parrish, a Janz, a Claypool - all darkened our door.
Another two pair, of Landeses and Berges
Came to the school in a big big hurry;
Along with the Nelsons, a Thompson, a Johnson, a Lewis
Then came the Bradley crowd- "What's the Lord doing to us!?!"
A Grover, and two Fiero's, a Zaccagnino, a Spicer
Quite a group- How could any be nicer?
The Lord's children arrived, to school, then and there
to seek God's will, and his blessings beyond compare.

The often heard statement, not the exception, but the rule;
was "There's sure lots of homework, here at this school.

The school is affecting this Bemidji town,
it's viewed with disdain, its values run down,
for "sheltering, brainwashing, academic weakness."
But how blessed it is, when criticism is bleakest
to hear that the Lord has worked through us,
and given salvation, and removed disgust,
and taken old, deep-seated feelings of guilt,
to be replaced with faith, on which obedience is built
and permeated all of His action with love,
   in a school that is sanctioned by Him, from above.

Heartland Christian Academy is still moving along,
for God willing, there'll be no end to this song.
The Glory be God's, for we work with His power,
and prayerfully hope His ministry will flower
and indeed we are continually favored,
   to serve on behalf of Lord Jesus, our Savior