Siena was a seventh grader seeking a more loving and caring environment. Her experience in public school had left her feeling depressed and anxious. Concerned about their daughter’s struggles, her parents began exploring healthier schooling options for their family.
At the first meeting, parents Cassie and Ryan were impressed by the PHAA program. Although they were not actively pursuing any religion, Siena’s father, Ryan, expressed his growing contemplation of a higher power. Cassie, her mother, was motivated by a desire for safety and wholeness for Siena, but was also open to the idea of God’s Providence, and Siena enrolled for her eighth-grade year.
What unfolded next was surprising for everyone involved. By the end of the first semester, Siena demonstrated remarkable academic growth. Her anxiety levels diminished, and she developed a hunger for God and His Word. She began attending weekly Bible studies at school and going to the campus church on Sabbath without her parents.
A typically outgoing individual, Siena’s joy radiated even more as she connected with her peers. She began volunteering in the children’s department and became an active member of the Praise Team, eagerly attending Friday night youth group meetings.
Ryan and Cassie noticed the positive changes in Siena and started attending church themselves, amazed at their daughter’s transformation. When Siena expressed her desire to be baptized, neither her biological nor her new church family was surprised.
During her baptism ceremony, Siena confidently shared her love for God in front of the large audience. Since then, she has become a featured speaker at chapel services, delivering her compelling testimony with earnestness and clarity.
As a result of the school and church community, Ryan, Cassie, and their son are now involved members of the Pleasant Hill church and school family. This family’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that Christian Education transcends beyond individual students; it also has the capacity to transform entire families.
Featured in Northern Lights, December 5, 2024
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