Koreans Study at Liberty's Branch

By Deborah L. Jankowski

An outreach of Liberty University, named Liberty ChristianSchool, was founded in Korea in1985byloe Hale. Because the school grew so rapidly, the name was changed to the Network of InternationalChristian Schools to incorporate the four other schools which werebegun to accommodate the growth The network now extends throughout Korea.

"TheChristianschoolshave grown significantly everyyear," Cooney Rothbauer, anLU sophomore and a 1990 graduate ofNICS,said. "Approximately 350to 360 students attend the kindergarten through 12thgrade."

Rothbauer explained thatone reason fortherapid growthof the schoolwasthe costofeducationin Korea. He added thatthe government schools costapproximately $800 per month, so in order to relieve the financial burden of government education,families enrolltheirchildren intheChristian school.

"The families are really benefitted in two ways," ScottyCurlee, anotherLU sophomoreand 1990 graduateof NICS,said. "The childrenreceiveagood educationforhalfthecostofagovernment school, and they hear the gospel."

Curleepraised the facultyand stafffor the diligence and concern they display toward thestudents."When it comes tothefaith, they don'tcompromise,"hesaid NICS scores high in the percentage of students who receiveJesus Christ as their Lord after they are enrolled at the school. A diverse group of students with differentreligiousbackgrounds attends; but, according to Curlee,that does not make a difference when it comes to the truth being taught about the Scriptures.

"The teachers are firm but flexible,"Curlee said "They don't waver on the Scripture, but they are always willing to help.Ifa student has any questions concerning the Word, the teachers enjoy answering them and discussing topicsaboutChristianity."

Early education up to junior high accounts for most of the numbers in the Liberty branch school. Curlee and Rothbauer are two of five in the 1990 graduating class. They presently attend Liberty Universityalongwith six othersfrom theschoolin Korea.

The school participates in a sports organization called KIAC. This isa conglomerate of schools, both privateand government, who compete inseveral differentsports,includingbasketball,soccer, cross-countryand wrestling Volleyballis themain sportfor the girls.

Classesaretaught inEnglish, and most ofthe studentsspeakthe languagefluently Englishas asecond languageis offeredfor studentswho strugglewiththe language and desiretolearn better.

Curlee and Rothbauer both agree that accepting Christ, learningabouttheBibleand being surrounded by good influences havebeen thethreebiggestadvantages of attending NICS "They (the teachers) are willingto lendyoua hand at anytime," Rothbauersaid. "You go therewilling tolearn, and they'llteachyou."

Under the direction ofHale,the school has accomplishedits goals. Itis not onlythrivingin numbers,but all thestudentsarehearing thegospel, also, and many each year are trustingChristas Savior.

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