03/15/2021
ECA family and friends,
This is a long post but a necessary one. I didn’t spare any details in writing it so that all would know the things that led up to a hard decision that had to be made.
As most of you know Emmanuel Christian Academy’s building suffered extensive damage from both hurricane Laura and Delta. Initially we were hopeful it could be fixed in time to reopen for the 2020/2021 school year but quickly realized that would not be possible. We were faced with the impossible decision of closing down for the remainder of the school year. This was a prayerful but scary decision. Not only were we heartbroken over the loss of the year we had planned for, prepped and already started but also the realization of not knowing what the future would hold for us on the other side.
As this school year comes to a close and we look further into what next year might hold, we find we are yet again presented with trials, some expected and some not. Our building is just now in the beginning stages of repair. This was completely out of our control. With the building not ready we couldn’t even get in there if we wanted to in order to start preparing. Our entire student body has been displaced and have settled into new academic homes. Our teachers and staff have also been forced to move on into other avenues of income and responsibilities. We knew these things would be inevitable and necessary steps people would have to take given the circumstances. Now, looking at all of these fact we have this striking realization that we would not be picking up where we left off like planned, rather we would be completely starting over from the ground up. Building an entirely new school with a full new staff to be trained and new students. Given the current state of our building and the up coming school year only a few short months away we realize a successful opening would not be possible.
Therefore, this our public announcement that ECA will not be opening in the fall for the 2021/2022 school year. The future beyond that is also unknown to us. I’m not sure what God’s plans are or what direction he intends to take ECA. My only prayer is that His will be done. One thing is for absolute sure, this little Vinton school, the school that God built, has touched more lives in its 22 years than could ever have been anticipated at the start. We are proud of where we are and that we’ve been able to serve this community for so long.
Please know that this is not us giving up!! This decision has been made prayerfully and with a clear mind. We know God says he likes things to be done decently and in order. He doesn’t like stress or fear. If/when the school does reopen it needs to be done on a non stressful timeline, with no fear or anxieties of unpreparedness. We will not allow chaos to thrive and take over our circumstance. He will provide a way for us to open again if that’s His plan. We know God does have a plan and he holds the answers to all of our unanswered questions of why.
I would like to personally thank every teacher, staff member and parent who ever believed in and supported this ministry in education. Because of you so many students lives were changed for the better and eyes opened to the truth of the love of Jesus Christ. These children were the driving force to keep us going year after year and we still hold true to that and the importance of Christian education.
We would appreciate prayers as we navigate through these uncertain times. Thank you and God bless you all ♥️
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Haley Berg- ECA
