Wingspan Gratitude | 2022

Gratitude

MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear MPCS Family,

This is a most wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we consider the incarnation and understand that because of God’s grace we are eternally blessed, we too, understand our responsibility to bless others. And, that is what this edition of Wingspan Gratitude is all about. The greatest gift of all.

Being blessed with the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, is why we exist as a school, and it is why we give as believers. Over the past year, you have given and have demonstrated God’s and your own generosity in so many ways. And, as such, we send our most sincere “Thank You!” This year, we have placed our honor roll of donors online and are, instead, sharing data and stories of your impact on our school and students’ lives.

May God bless you and keep you in the coming year, and may He continue to shine every day at Mount Paran Christian School.

Soli Deo Gloria, Timothy P. Wiens, Ed.D.

MISSION: Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth. VISION: Mount Paran Christian School aspires be a national school leader by providing an innovative education to a diverse community of learners within a liberal arts framework, all for the Glory of God.

COVER: MPCS Family Christmas preschool nativity scene featuring PreK4 students Bryce Madani, Decker Rice, and Preston Sterling.

WINGSPAN GRATITUDE Winter 2022, Volume XVI Issue 2 published annually for families, friends, and alumni of Mount Paran Christian School. PUBLISHER Dr. Timothy Wiens EDITORS Tiffany Westbrook, Amber Irizarry DESIGNER Jaime Russell, Tiffany Westbrook ASSISTANT EDITOR Kathleen McCook CONTRIBUTORS Courtney Barbito, John Braswell, Paula Deiters, Cindy Gibbs, Jennifer New, Julie Ray, Dr. Tim Wiens PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamie Bogner, William Deal, Jordan Mason, Lisa Shoch © Mount Paran Christian School 1275 Stanley Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152, 770-578-0182 mtparanschool.com

THE GREATEST GIFT GIVEN

Donor support makes sharing the story of Jesus possible.

BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

TThe Christmas season is upon us — a time of holiday decorations and cookie baking, the ex changing of gifts and singing of carols. Above all else, it’s a time of celebrating the greatest, most perfect gift ever: Jesus Christ. Nothing compares! God, in His infinite generosity, gave the very best and most valuable thing He had, His son (John 3:16). God has already done everything to give the gift of abundance on earth, salvation through the death and resurrection of His son, and eternal life with Him. All we have to do is accept this gift and make Him our own.

With Him, Jesus brought hope, peace, for giveness, healing, purpose, and a new joy. And, then, as He walked the earth, He modeled for us all the various forms of generosity: prayer for others, words of encouragement, sharing, friend ship, empathy, attention, hospitality, volunteer ism, and, of course, financial generosity. Jesus taught to give to everyone who asks (Luke 6:30), to give to those who can not even repay (Luke 14:13–14), and to freely give what we have freely received (Matthew 10:8). Jesus then command ed us to act towards each other in love.

Exactly who can be generous and how? Generosity is the quality of being kind and un selfish, something we are all capable of. It’s often about a sacrifice of resources, time, or effort. It’s about inconveniencing ourselves for the sake of others. Extending grace, mercy, and the benefit of the doubt are all ways we can show loving kindness to one another.

The attitude behind our giving matters. In stead of giving or serving out of obligation, we can make the choice to thoughtfully and joyful ly serve one another, for God loves a cheerful giver (Deuteronomy 15:10)! Giving of ourselves is a tangible way to demonstrate both gratitude for all God has given to us, as well as our faith that He will provide for our every need.

When we give with no expectation of re payment, it affects us and those around us. Gratitude and generosity are contagious and for all followers of Jesus: young and old, rich and poor. We give because God gave first. He made us all rich in every way by giving us the most precious gift of His Son.

Knowing we cannot out give God, how can we show gratitude in our daily lives and emu late His example of generosity? He created in each of us a continual gratitude-generosity loop, such that when we are thankful for kind ness shown to us, that thankfulness inspires our own compassion and generosity (Proverbs 11:24-25). Gratitude seems to prepare our hearts, minds, and hands for generosity. In oth er words, generosity is the outward expression and overflow of a grateful heart. As a bonus, research also shows gratitude makes us happi er and healthier, reducing stress and improving immune function.

Jesus left his kingdom in heaven to take on human flesh and then sacrifice Himself for our sins. He was truly the most generous person to ever walk the earth. And, best of all, He will return with the gift of eternal life for those who give their lives to Him (Romans 6:23). Until that day, let us show our abundant gratitude by our courageous sacrifice and service to others. This Christmas, when you look under the tree, also look up! Give thanks to God, and, then, all year long, bring glory to Him by living a generous life. W

GRATITUDE SEEMS TO PREPARE OUR HEARTS, MINDS, AND HANDS FOR GENEROSITY

LIFETIME Donor Society

WE WANT TO ESPECIALLY RECOGNIZE AND EXTEND OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO OUR LIFETIME DONORS, WHOSE PHILANTHROPY HAS REACHED AN EXTRAORDINARY LEVEL. YOUR INVESTMENTS HAVE TRANSFORMED MPCS FOR A LIFETIME.

donors have achieved Lifetime Donor Society status through their extraordinarily generous and faithful support over the years. To learn more about the Lifetime Donor Society and to view the list, please scan the QR code.

LIFETIME DONORS

Weston Hughes PreK4 and Athen Singleton '23

MPCS Campus Construction in 2003

BY JULIE RAY, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Just before Christmas 2021, Mount Paran Christian School reached a landmark moment in the school’s financial history. The school paid off a 21-year debt agreement for the bulk of the financing to construct the current Stanley Road campus. In fact, this debt — $20 million in tax-exempt bond financing secured in 2002 from Wachovia Bank — was paid off ahead of schedule. For the Christ-centered mission of the school, the Christmas season timing could not have been a more perfect representation of the Lord’s hand of provision.

Looking back 23 years, MPCS leaders, in cluding three different heads of school and two board chairs, had a vision to build the current campus, after having been hosted by Mount Paran Church of God since 1976. The Lord connected leadership with Mrs. Eulene Murray, owner of the property at 1275 Stanley Road. Mrs. Murray had a dream for a Christian school at this location. Thanks to the leadership of Ron Mulkey, then board chair; Susan King, then head of school; Don Dozier, a generous benefactor; Joe McDonald and the late Marilyn Rowland, Murray family members; and other visionary leaders of the school, Mrs. Murray’s dream became reality.

The early payment-in-full of the bond debt is but one example of biblical stewardship at MPCS. In 2007, the school purchased the nineacre corner property at Stilesboro and Stanley Roads from the Dozier Centre for the Perform ing Arts to establish the first-ever arts facility for MPCS. The purchase was made possible by a 10-year lead gift from the Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation, which, at the time, was one of the largest private foundation gifts to an in dependent school in the state of Georgia and the largest capital campaign gift in the school’s history. With this lead gift, Mount Paran Chris tian School added the Murray Arts Center to the campus facilities, featuring a professional recording studio, two theaters, dance studios, event spaces, and an entire floor of instruction al and practice room spaces.

J“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” — Luke 14:28

Notably, the purchase of the arts center property took place in the midst of the 2008 market crash. The Lord showed us His plan as only He can do: during the 2008-2010 eco nomic crisis, Mount Paran Christian School met and exceeded every dollar of the capital campaign goal, reaching peak enrollment when other industries were struggling. This purchase increased the total debt of the school to just under $32 million by January 2010 to provide a cohesive, balanced campus of facilities serving academics, athletics, and the arts. Again, led by a Board of Trustees with a priority placed on the reduction of debt, the terms of that agreement allowed an accelerat ed reduction of the principal to what is today

only $6.4 million. That’s a reduction of $25.6 million in debt during exaggerated market upswings and down-swings over just 13 years! Further, the Board has carefully controlled debt such that philanthropic gifts, not addi tional debt, provided for the construction of the Catherine Steele Sewell Stadium, the addition of three artificial turf fields, the batting cages, the construction of the Murray Innovation Cen ter, and the renovation of the Dozier Hall high school building and visual arts wing of the Mur ray Arts Center. What a testament to the Lord and to His faithful stewards!

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Instructional

Administrative

NOTE: MPCS operates on a balanced budget. The 2021-2022 fiscal year reflects some anomalies due to construction of the Murray Innovation Center (funded by years prior gifts collection), payoff of original campus construction bond debt, and investment losses due to market drop.

thank you

“Enter

Psalm 100:4

The American Bible Society shares, “Gratitude is the door of entry to joy!” God’s word invites us to approach Him with a joyful heart and to give Him thanks for all He has done in our lives. Today, we give Him thanks for your generous hearts! Thank you for your sacrificial charitable giving to the Annual Fund. We give God all the glory for the great things He continues to accomplish in and through our school community. We are deeply grateful for your faithful support for the 2021-2022 Annual Fund.

Tinto His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: give thanks unto Him and bless His name.” —

FOLLOWING

God’s Call

TO DO SOMETHING NEW

BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

F“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullest thereof.” — Psalm 24:1

From their home in Connecticut in 2021, George and Chris Childs felt a calling on their hearts for something new. After learning about Mount Paran Christian School from an acquaintance, the Childs felt God was guiding them to move 1,000 miles to Georgia specifi cally to attend MPCS. Leaving behind all they knew, the Childs moved their four children to Georgia and are now “all in” as part of the Ea gle family. Lily is a freshman at the University of Georgia, while siblings George, Phebe, and Ivy are enrolled at MPCS.

To leave one’s family, community, church, and jobs for a specific school experience takes a leap of faith and is not for the faint of heart. But, for George and Chris, they knew that the entire process was God ordained. “There was an undeniable pull to MPCS,” they share, “[a place] where our children would feel safe, loved, and challenged, both spiritually and intellect."

From the outset, the Childs found the school facilities beautiful and the academics, arts, and athletics outstanding, but, more impor tantly, they learned first-hand that the people

of MPCS serve with love and humility and are genuinely happy. The Christ-centered atmo sphere and loving environment were evident from their first school tour to their children’s first day.

Initially, George, a rising high school junior, was understandably less than thrilled to learn of the family’s planned move to Georgia. Yet, a warm reception by the MPC football team as a new placekicker made his acclimation much easier. Having never played football and not knowing anyone at MPCS, the coaches and players welcomed him with brotherly love.

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GOD HAS BROUGHT US TO MPCS, AND IT WAS THE BEST DECISION WE COULD HAVE MADE FOR OUR FAMILY.

The Childs family

High school freshman, Phebe, experienced a similar welcome at the MPCS Back-2-School Night. Though the family did not yet know any one at the school, Phebe was instantly whisked away by some girls she had met at orientation, leaving her parents in awe at the goodness of God.

Even middle school student, Ivy, was cele brated within the first few days of school. Having only met her classmates days before, some of the girls in the sixth-grade class decorated Ivy’s locker with kind notes and candies for her late summer birthday, making her feel known and loved.

“As God has called us on this wonderful path and is nourishing our family with the gifts of MPCS, we feel compelled to invest in the school’s mission, as many others before us have done,” shares George. “How can one not be grateful for all that the Lord has given? Our move to Georgia has provided our family with a healthy dose of perspective. Everything [MPCS] has offered us since our arrival has filled a void in our heads and hearts. And, so, our family is grateful to the people of the MPCS communi ty — we are blessed to call this place our new home and its people our family.”

Trusting God is always the right answer, as George and Chris had their decision to trust God with this move reaffirmed during the first weeks of school. Their children shared stories of how much they love MPCS because of the way the Bible is incorporated into every subject and because of their new friends and encour aging teachers.

“It brings tears to our eyes to realize how fortunate we are to be at MPCS and to see how God works through His people,” says Chris. “We will be forever grateful for how kind, com passionate, and welcoming all of these individ uals were to our kids. [God has] brought us to MPCS, and it was the best decision we could have made for our family.” W

new families and 200 first-time donors gave to Annual Fund in 2021-2022. To view the honor roll of donors giving to Annual Fund, please scan the QR code.

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WE FEEL COMPELLED TO INVEST IN THE SCHOOL’S MISSION, AS MANY OTHERS BEFORE US HAVE DONE.

Annual Fund

Sofie Kate Chambley, 2022 Homecoming Queen

Alumni Association President, Beau O'Dell '06, and family at the Homecoming Alumni Dinner

Grateful for Grandparents!

Thank you, grandparents, for honoring your grandchildren by making a gift to Annual Fund. We are grateful for your investment in the lives of students and in our school!

Dear Fellow Mount Paran Christian School Grandparents,

Our granddaughters, Zoe and Ada, have attended MPCS since they were threeyears old and have cumulatively been at the school for 14 years. When we began looking for a private school for our grandchildren, we had two criteria: the school must be Christ-centered and must also provide a well-rounded, demanding ac ademic curriculum. Not only did MPCS meet these criteria, but the school also included top-notch athletic and arts programs and an exceptionally beautiful campus. Small class sizes and modern classrooms enable the faculty and staff to provide personalized instruction to the students, guaranteeing them the best chance of success.

Christian faith and discipleship are seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the students’ education, enabling them to establish a strong moral, faith founda tion that will prepare them to face the challenges they will no doubt encounter when they continue their education at a higher level. The MPCS mission of pre paring servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth is integrated into all aspects of the MPCS educational experience. The school has exceeded all of our expectations! We encourage all grandparents to join us in supporting the MPCS Annual Fund in honor of their grandchildren. We can’t imagine an invest ment that provides a more worthwhile return.

Mr. Robert and Mrs. Emilie Parsons

grandparents gave to Annual Fund in 2021-2022. To view the list of names giving to Annual Fund, please scan the QR code.

Mr. Robert and Mrs. Emilie Parsons

Grandparents are Always Welcome!

We love seeing our grandparents on campus and welcome you to check our master calendar for upcoming school events at MPCS.

SAVE THE DATE

Our preschool and lower school students look forward to welcoming their grandparents to campus for the annual MPCS Grandparents’ Days, April 13-14, 2023. Please save the date, and plan to join us in the spring for this event.

TAX ADVANTAGES

IRA TAX ADVANTAGES - QUALIFIED CHARITY DISTRIBUTIONS FOR 2022

You may be wondering if a Qualified Charity Distribution (QCD) is a good use of your funds. For many, making a QCD before December 31, 2022, may be a good way to support a qualified charity, like Mount Paran Christian School, a (501(c)(3) non-profit, while avoiding a hefty tax penalty. Seniors can reduce their tax burden by donating to charity through their IRA | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

IRS TAX TIP 2022-171

A QCD is a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of an IRA to organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Making a QCD can benefit the taxpayer by reducing their taxable income while they support qualifying charitable organizations of their choice. The taxpayer doesn’t have to worry about meeting the standard deduction or itemizing deductions with a QCD.

QCD Guidelines

• Taxpayers who make a QCD must be at least 70½ years old on the day of the distribution.

• A QCD will count toward a required minimum distribution.

• The taxpayer must have an acknowledgment of the contribution.

• The amount of the QCD can’t be more than the amount of the distribution that would count as income.

• Declare the QCD as income to claim the charitable contribution as a deduction.

• The maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is $100,000.

• When filing a joint return, the spouse can also have a QCD and exclude up to $100,000.

• Any QCD more than the $100,000 exclusion limit counts as income like any other distribution.

• The amount of QCD contribution limits for exclusion reduce after age 70½.

Important Disclosure: This information has been provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax planning or legal advice. Please check with your tax advisor to see if this is a good fit for your tax planning.

A School that Knows and Loves Each Student

BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

FFive years ago, Steven and Emilia Welchel, along with their three girls, joined the MPCS family. “Our plan had been to keep our girls in public school until the middle school years,” Steven shared. But, after encountering some issues, they chose to make the move sooner. “We toured several private schools, and, after much prayer, our hearts were led to MPCS,” the couple says. “Aside from academics, we want ed a school that would strengthen their love for Jesus and help [our children] grow spiritually. We found all this at MPCS!”

to love MPCS and have enjoyed a wonderful school experience. “All the teachers have truly loved and cared for our girls,” says Emilia. She cites numerous examples of MPCS teachers, coaches, and counselors going above and be yond to show compassion and to make her girls feel safe and special.

In the ensuing years, Juliana (grade 6), Adri ana (grade 4), and Liliana (grade 2) have grown

“Being from Costa Rica, it has always been important to me that the girls learn Span ish and practice it outside our home. [Lower School Spanish Teacher] Claire Mozley has been so helpful in this,” Emilia says. “We all love pulling up to carpool and getting a warm ‘Good Morning’ from Coach Mike Brady.” Last year, as Emilia traveled to Greece without the family, the girls had a hard time without their mother present. Lower School Counselor Dana Gray tenderly used the opportunity to teach Adrianna a lesson on patience and how God has so much patience and love for us all. Mrs. Gray even encouraged Adrianna to share her experience during chapel. Of the experience, Emilia says, “It warmed my heart to know that, while I was away, [our children] were being loved all day long by our MPCS community.”

The Welchel Children

With a desire to give back to the school that has poured so much into their family, the Welchels generously support the school through both their business and their personal giving. “We have an opportunity to honor God by giving back to the community that our family business has been serving since 1974,” says Steven. “We are honored to support MPCS!”

Each year, the Welchels have made supporting the Annual Fund a giving priority, as the Annu al Fund directly impacts the school’s mission and impacts every student. And, through their business, Marietta Wrecker Service, they have invested in MPC student-athletes and coach

es through Eagle Backers. Additionally, the Welchels have made it financially possible for multiple students to attend MPCS through the Georgia GOAL scholarship program. Of their commitment to generosity, Steven and Emilia said they have been blessed abundantly: “Every time [we] walk through the halls or attend chap el, [we] are amazed at all the love that is poured into our girls. We are always greeted with a smile and by name. There is true, genuine love for our girls…[and we are] humbled and grateful that God has blessed us with the opportunity to have our girls at MPCS.”

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The Welchel Family

KATY ROGERS Scholarship Fund:

The Katy Rogers Scholarship Fund for Directed Studies has been established to honor Katy’s many years of passionate work on behalf of students with learning differences. More than $60,000 has already been received toward the $100,000 goal that will make this a permanently endowed scholarship fund in Katy’s memory. Those who wish to donate to this scholarship in her name may use the online form by following the QR code link or contact the MPCS Devel opment Office directly. Gifts made to the Katy Rogers Scholarship Fund for Directed Studies will ensure that this vital program carries on serving students in honor of Mrs. Rogers.

To view the list of special gifts and donor names, please scan the QR

Scan the QR code to help reach our goal to make the Katy Rogers Scholarship Fund for Directed Studies a permanently-endowed schol arship fund.

Mount Paran Christian School has partnered with the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program since its inception in 2008. Since that time, more than 300 qualified mission-fit students, who may otherwise not have been able to attend, have walked the MPCS halls, receiving a Christ-focused education. Students’ and families’ lives have been positively changed over these past 14 years as a direct result of contributors taking the tax credit opportunity and redirecting it back to our school community.

THANK YOU for Your Time and Talents!

MPCS volunteers go above and beyond to further the mission of our school. Thank you to all involved in these vital groups.

Alumni Association Volunteers

Alumni Council

Annual Fund Committee

Band Boosters

Bible Study Leaders

Board of Trustees

Boy Scouts

Chapel Speakers

Concession Stand Volunteers

Class Trip Chaperones

Club Leaders

CommUNITY Task Force

Consignment Sale Volunteers

Cub Scout Leaders

Eagle Backers

Eagle Robotics

Family Serve Day Leaders

Girl Scouts Leaders

Kid Chess Club

Men of Mount Paran Moms in Prayer

Mount Paran Arts Council (MPAC)

Parent Ambassadors

Parent Class Volunteers

Parent Partners

Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF)

Performing Arts Parents

Reception Desk Volunteers

Retreat Parent Committee

Room Moms

Student Volunteers Team Moms

Veteran Representative Volunteer Coaches

Eagle Backers

PTF

MPAC

CommUNITY Task Force

A LEGACY OF Service

BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

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After relocating from New York, Jevon and Sian Teague chose MPCS for the Christian envi ronment, strong academics for their daughter, Zoe, and a sense of community for the entire family. Now, Sian gives back to the MPCS com munity through her volunteer work.

Sian is intentional about asking God how to best serve Him: “He always sends me somebody to serve.” In addition to leading the MPCS chapter of Moms in Prayer, Sian also guides more than 200 high school girls at Mount Paran Church of God and partners with a school in Tanzania. And, a New York prison ministry that Sian began still operates today.

Sian feels called to serve as a way to “pay it forward.” At the age of nine, Sian’s family moved to New York from Jamaica, where it was not the norm to graduate from high school and

Moms In Prayer

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practically unheard of to attend college. She credits her grandmother as a major life influ ence, making sure the family attended church regularly. By her grandmother’s faith example and the opportunities in America, Sian gradu ated from both college and law school.

Sian’s passion is connecting people and helping carry the burdens of others. Through Moms in Prayer, she connects new MPCS moms to the larger school community, as well as identifies and supports those within the MPCS family going through tough times. Sian also advocates for MPCS with prospective fam ilies, sharing her family’s MPCS story with other Christian families. Above all, she shares, “I take what I do for the Lord seriously. Everything is to glorify Him.” W

“When you refresh others, God refreshes you.” Proverbs

‘Tis the Season for YEAR-END