Your Guide to Issues and Events at A.C.E. January–February 2014

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You have seen God’s many blessings this past year and experienced his grace through some trials, but have you asked yourself how God views your school? Does every program of your school honor Him? Do you have a truly Christian school? What is a Christian school? Now would be a good day to stop and evaluate your school.

A school is not a Christian school just because it is held in a church facility. Churches typically use their facilities for many types of programs, so just having a school in your church facility does not make it a Christian school. A school is not a Christian school because it has Christian leaders, Christian staff, or Christian supervisors in the Learning Center. There

are many schools today that claim to be “Christian,” but simply calling a school “Christian” does not

make it Christian. Many schools are like the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3; they are “Christian” in name only.

What is a Christian school? A school is a Christian school because it adheres to the Christian

Continued on page 2

Your Christian School

2 AccelerAtor

philosophy. If you believe and instruct that God is our Creator, Lord, and Master, and He has given us one rule book, the Bible, by which to live, your school is a Christian school. The Great Commandment in Deuteronomy 6:4–12 reminds us that God’s Word must be imparted to our children. Your school is a Christian school as you instruct and instill into the hearts and minds of your students the principles of God’s Word. The Bible must be your guide for faith and practice. All subjects must be imparted from a Biblical perspective and a Christian worldview if your school is to be a Christian school.

In a Christian school, the Bible is the primary textbook in every subject. When a student studies science, he sees the beauty, order, and laws God created. When he studies history, he must learn about our first parents Adam and Eve and about the great men who have walked through world history. He must learn about Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David, Solomon, and all the great kings and prophets of the Old Testament, but especially Jesus Christ, for history is HIS STORY. In math the child becomes aware of the mind of God as it relates to the numerical structure in the universe He created. Sounds, letters, words, and sentences allow the communication of Biblical principles. Language allows a student to read God’s revelation through His Word. In a Christian school, all life is sacred. Through the years our society has made a distinction between the sacred and secular. Government education teaches the secular—all of life and subjects apart from moral absolutes and faith in a Holy God. They leave the sacred to the church. However, for the Christian, all of life is sacred. Since God created math, language, history, science, and all other academic subjects, they must be learned from a Biblical perspective and worldview. When the Bible is your textbook and Biblical principles are your guide, you have a Christian school.

In the early days of the modern-day Christian school movement, Pastor Levi Whisner in Ohio fought and won the battle against being licensed by the state to operate a Christian school. He argued that

his Christian school was an integral part of his church. The church imparted the Bible on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—every day of the week. Just as children were there on Sunday to be trained in God’s Word, students were there on Monday through Friday to be instructed in the Word of God—to see all of life from a Biblical perspective. When Pastor Whisner won the court case, his Christian school was defined as an integral and inseparable ministry of the local church. His stand showed that he had a conviction to have a Christian school, not a mere preference. The United States Supreme Court has defined the church as “beliefs and believers who hold those beliefs.” These “beliefs” have been further defined as either convictions or preferences. Do you have a preference for a Christian school? Or is it a conviction that God has commanded you to do and you can do nothing else?

Why do you have a Christian school? Is your Christian school simply an alternative to government education? If your school is going to be called a “Christian” school but only in name and not adhere to the philosophy that all life is sacred and that all subjects must be instructed from a Biblical perspective, you have your school for the wrong reasons. But if you have a true conviction that God is the Creator of all things—that all life is sacred and you are responsible to the only God, if you believe that God has mandated that we thoroughly ingrain the Scriptures into the hearts and minds of our children and you have no alternative but to do what God says to do, then you are operating your school for the right purpose and you have a Christian school.

May God bless you in the passion He has given you to train a new generation of young people to be productive Christians and to honor and glorify our Lord! �

Your Christian SchoolContinued from page 1

January–February 2014 3

The heart of the A.C.E. ministry is to train children to understand and practice Biblical, Christian character. With this in mind, the 60 character traits of Christ are carefully woven in and through the A.C.E. curriculum. The continual focus and review of these character traits truly cause each of us to develop Christ-like character, which results in our walk and conversation shining His light to each one with whom we come in contact. The Scriptures remind us to Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ . . . that ye stand

fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27) What a wonderful blessing it is to be able to share the love of the Lord with those around us!

As I praise our Lord for a new year in which I am privileged to serve Him, I am honored and humbled that He chose me, as well as you, to minister to the students through Christian education. Praise the Lord that we have hope for the future as we seek His direction through prayer and the reading of His precious Word!

It is my fervent prayer that you will be inspired and encouraged as you read this Accelerator. May you continue to faithfully serve our Saviour and Lord in the essential, daily ministry of Biblical education for the children! Thank you for your commitment to teach them diligently unto thy children, and . . . talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

A servant of Jesus Christ, for the children’s sake and God’s glory,

Esther Howard, D.Litt.President

From Our President . . .

Graduation Checklist and Information

Choose between combined graduation/awards ceremony or graduation only. (A combined service draws a larger graduation crowd but also makes the schedule longer. However, combined is the best for a school of few students.)

Order attractive, professionally printed announcements.

Order diplomas early for guaranteed delivery.

Use caps and gowns. Schedule pickup early enough for picture appointments.

Secure the facility by scheduling early, especially if using a building other than your school or church.

Select a speaker who will add to the significance of the ceremony and challenge

graduates to a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as they proceed into their future.

Use students to provide the special music (junior choir, all-school choir, convention winners). Student involvement will improve attendance, as well as be a special blessing.

Extend personal invitations to school supporters who have no children in the school. Graduation is a great platform for promoting your school.

Reward students with Godly character awards. Consider which of the A.C.E. character traits best describes each graduate and/or student. Put his name, character trait, and the character verse on a professional plaque or certificate. It will be cherished for years to come.

4 AccelerAtor

Biblical Educational Standards www.aceministries.com

As a parent you definitely want the best for your children in the realm of their education. Your child is the most precious gift God has given you. Should you not desire excellence in the educational system, which forms his basic outlook on life?

In Proverbs 23:24 we see that “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.” In order for children to become righteous and wise, each child needs to be endowed with a foundation based on Scripture. Accelerated Christian Education incorporates Biblical principles, academic excellence, character training, and spiritual growth, combined with high scholastic standards. These elements will prepare your child for the world today and give him the tools necessary to succeed in the future.

A.C.E. was formed in 1970—not only to meet the academic needs of children but to provide Godly character training. The result was a system that helps churches and parents train young people spiritually and academically, a curriculum that focuses on God’s plan for each individual child. The basic principles of A.C.E. assure the parents of a solid, mastery, back-to-basics education for their child by diagnostically meeting a student’s specific learning needs and capabilities. The curriculum incorporates character-building exercises, personal goal setting, and critical thinking skills into daily learning.

Accelerated Christian Education’s concepts are based on the following Five Basic Laws of Learning:

1. A child must be at a level where he can perform.

2. He must have reasonable goals.

3. His learning must be controlled, and he must be motivated.

4. His learning must be measurable.

5. His learning must be rewarded.

Personal testimonies of graduates confirm to the spiritual and academic excellence of the Accelerated Christian Education program. By stressing the God-given uniqueness of the individual student, A.C.E. provides the standards and groundwork on which a successful life is built. Godly character qualities, diligence, and goal setting instilled in the student while in the A.C.E. program set an exemplary course for the graduate to follow, which includes entry into higher educational institutions, the business world, and in training of future generations. The global presence of A.C.E. verifies the uniqueness of the program. It meets the needs of all students. With over 6,000 schools and thousands of homeschools in over 140 countries, A.C.E. has demonstrated its dedication to provide quality education to parents and administrators throughout its 43 years of ministry.

The goal of A.C.E. is the same today as it was from its beginning: to prepare children for the world today and give them spiritual and academic tools necessary to achieve their God-given potential. �

For Parents

Permission is granted by A.C.E. to copy this page.

January–February 2014 5

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6 AccelerAtor

Discount of 25%

United States Financial Information (except Alaska and Hawaii)2014 Retail Price $399Discount pricing for schools and students on the A.C.E. program:School registration fee (nonrefundable): $25 per person or $250 maximumU.S. Participant Price Discount—25% (2 options): 1. On-campus dorm, meals, and registration

(full package) $299 per person 2. Contestant’s or sponsor’s registration fee

(no dorm and no meals) $184 per personLate registration fee (EACH person registering on Sunday, May 25) $50 per personOff-campus guests (Please register at A.C.E. Information Center.) $5 per person

PreregistrationPreregistration packets must be postmarked by April 15, 2014, or one week following the completion of your Regional Student Convention, whichever comes later. The Global registration deadline is April 1, 2014.

ISC Online RegistrationFor your convenience, ISC registration will be held online at register.aceministries.com. Payments may be made online via credit card or electronic check. Visit the website for easy-to-follow instructions and technical support. Prepare now by making sure you have at least one computer with Internet access.Please note: All ISC registrations must be processed online!

Student Convention GuidelinesVisit www.aceministries.com/isc for current Student Convention Guidelines.

Early Arrivals/Thursday Night Stay OversThe Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) cannot accommodate any early arrivals (May 23) or Thursday night stay overs (May 29).

TransportationParticipants must make all arrangements for transportation to and from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Be sure your ENTIRE transportation

May 24–29 at Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, Pennsylvania

Join Us at ISC 2014

Visit www.aceministries.com/ISC for more information.

ISC 2014

January–February 2014 7

ISC 2014

The 24/7 Squad began as a concept and has grown a life of its own, rooted and grounded in God’s Word. The 24/7 Squad is based on four Biblical principles: Commitment—Jeremiah 24:7, Worship—Psalm 24:7, Obedience—Exodus 24:7, and Wisdom—Proverbs 24:7. The mission of the 24/7 Squad is to influence others to live for Christ by assisting the Student Convention leadership with any task asked of them. Successful applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and have previous involvement in International Student Convention (ISC).

• Not be eligible to compete as students at ISC.• Must not have responsibilities as sponsors or accompanists for any students attending ISC.• Be willing to volunteer their time 24/7 for the duration of the Convention in any area. • Be able to arrive at ISC prior to commencement of registration and remain until after the

Awards Ceremony.• Be passionate about the purpose and ministry of ISC.• Cover their own transportation expenses.• Be prepared to use any musical or platform gifts they have at rallies.

Visit www.aceministries.com/studentprograms if you have a graduate who misses the ISC experience and wants to be a blessing to others. You can also see photos of the 24/7 Squad in action, print an application, and find out how to be part of the 24/7 Squad at ISC 2014 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Apply Now for His Servants 24/7 Squad for ISC 2014

arrangements are confirmed before departing from home. Transportation outside the campus is the responsibility of the schools/families. Arrangements for shuttles must be made in advance.

GuestsGuests 13 years of age and older may register with a school and stay in the residence halls. Men will stay in the boys’ residence halls and ladies in the girls’ residence halls. Fees are the same as for contestants and sponsors. (Children under 13 years of age may not stay in residence halls.) Guests residing off campus must register at the Information Center ($5 fee per person). Guests are welcome at events and rallies and are required to abide by the dress code of the Convention. Children under the age of six are not allowed in competition rooms.

HousingWe are excited about the quality of the dorms at IUP. However, if you would like a list of area motels available to assist families and schools who choose to stay off campus, please visit www.aceministries.com/isc, and select either ISC Information Booklet. Go to the Housing and Meals section.

On-Campus MealsIndividuals staying off campus may eat meals in the IUP dining facilities for the following prices: Breakfast $7 Lunch $7 Dinner $7Meal tickets may be purchased at the A.C.E. Information Center.

Judges NeededInternational Student Convention is looking for qualified staff to assist in judging various areas of competition at this year’s Convention. If you have training, experience, or other qualifications in a particular field and would be willing to assist as a paid judge in this vital area of Convention, please email the Student Convention Office for more information at studentconventions@aceministries.com or call 615-612-5200.

Visit www.aceministries.com/isc for complete ISC 2014 information.

8 AccelerAtor

As a Christian educator, what is my role in encouraging achievement in the student?

A. I am an identifier.

• First, identify the enemy. It is NOT the child! The flesh and blood I focus on isn’t the real enemy. The Accuser delights in deflecting my anger onto the students, which should be directed toward him. Satan is the enemy, and he will try to use me to hurt a child if I allow it. I must be on constant guard of my emotions! Remember, we choose how we respond to each student and each situation.

• Second, identify the cause of this child’s reluctance.

• Third, identify this child’s strengths and weaknesses. That will help zero in on the best approach.

• Finally, identify workable solutions to help this child succeed.

B. I am an influencer.

An instructor is a person who is used by God to change or influence the lives of others. Above all else give them Jesus. Jesus is where our gaze needs to be always, especially when things are overwhelming. Let your students daily witness a Godly life in your life.

C. I am an ensurer.

“With God’s help, you can do this!” should be our constant exhortation to our students. This is a truth that needs to be instilled in their hearts. Psalm 121 affirms, “. . . My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Because of God’s power and His presence, I have the peace and strength I need to succeed. We must also ensure that each student feels accepted and appreciated for his uniqueness. Everyone is special, and each one has something to offer to your Learning Center.

D. I am a worker. If I am going to make a difference in the lives of

my students, it will take hard work on my part. Acts 20:35 exhorts, “. . . how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak . . . .” A Godly worker cheerfully gives of his or her time, energy, and possessions to make disciples. That is what we do daily in the Learning Center—make disciples.

E. I am a listener. As an educator I am a confidence builder, a

cheerleader, and a good listener. By listening attentively, I can hear not only his words, but his heart and dreams. To be effective in ministering to each child, I must get to know them. Then I can best meet the needs of the student.

F. I am a striver. A striver is one who fights for someone or

something. As educators we strive year after year to help our students be successful. We do our best to find ways to make them achieve their goals and grow as individuals. But whose agenda am I committed to—mine or God’s? God’s agenda is people-centered, not program-centered. We must be careful not to lose our focus.

G. I am a Believer. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for that

we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” No matter what I see with my natural eye, I believe that my students will succeed. God gives me spiritual glasses, reminding me to gaze on others through them. God’s arm has not “waxed short!” (Numbers 11:23) and is able to bring about the seemingly impossible in the life of this child.

The key to motivating a child is to get him to take responsibility for his own behavior. A child who will not take this responsibility (and whose parents won’t make him) cannot be motivated. �

Inspiring Achievement in Your Students

January–February 2014 9

Training children to take responsibility seems to be a well-concealed secret in our society. Parents want their children to “feel good” rather than taking the time to build character because discipline and character training are hard work. Consider these points: A. Train how to deal with feelings. Children must be taught how to deal properly with their feelings.

This takes much love, patience, and continual training. It doesn’t happen quickly. Don’t give up! Remember: God is still working on me.

B. Train to respond, not react. Many children don’t understand that their behavior is a direct

response to what they are feeling. That is why training them how to handle specific situations is so important. Teach them to respond, not to react. Role plays can really help with this. “If this ______ happened, how would you respond?” Then discuss the appropriateness of their answer. Give them ideas for other (more appropriate) options. Lead them scripturally.

C. Set the example. Be the example by learning to control your anger rather than

letting it control you. Instead of anger, may passion for what touches Jesus’ heart (the children) drive us to act in love. A primary threat to a child is his own anger; it can damage or destroy him. Learning to handle his anger will give him an advantage in life; many of life’s problems can be averted, if one learns to hold his tongue. Dealing with anger influences the development of one’s personal integrity. Not dealing with one’s anger leaves pockets of immaturity in one’s character. This will affect one’s spiritual development. When anger is not dealt with, often it will result in passive-aggressive behavior. This behavior doesn’t make sense and it tries to hurt. Since the purpose is to upset the authority, no matter what action you take, it will make no difference. Ultimately the student will be defeated and have his future and relationships affected by this behavior.

D. Praise positive effort. Love him into doing right! If he is stalled, it will take much

encouragement to get and keep him rolling again. Try saying his

name to him often. Remember to correct in private and praise publicly.

E. Enlist the help of the parents. Expect few results if good behavior isn’t required at home.

Advise parents: • The more responsibility they take for their child’s

homework, keeping his room clean, feeding the dog, etc., the less responsibility the child will take.

• Don’t pick up his responsibilities! Yes, I know that children will whine and complain, but they are your child’s responsibility.

• Be available to help your child when needed, but don’t complete his work for him. Go over the instructions to make sure he understands, but require him to do the work.

• Instill work ethics and responsibility. • Reward good behavior.

We are reminded in I Corinthians 3:7 that the labor of ministry and its effectiveness are ultimately God’s work, not ours. Self-sufficiency doesn’t work; God-sufficiency does. When life’s situations seem to be going the worst is often when God is at work the most! So, when God allows situations that we would rather not experience, go to Him in prayer, and search for the hidden blessings. They are always there! Keep in mind: chronic “thorns” that irritate can be useful for short-circuiting pride, showcasing God’s grace, super-charging us with Christ’s power, and strengthening our communion with Him. If we get focused on the thorns, we miss the beauty of the flowers. The word perseverance literally means “to abide under.” Yield to the Lord’s will, and submit yourself to His plan. Remember that partial surrender is not surrender at all. We must follow and serve Jesus on His terms. Effective ministry begins when we realize that we can never earn God’s blessing, but we are always dependent solely on His grace. God directs the play of our lives and everyone (even reluctant students) comes in on cue. Titus 3:3, 4 reminds us, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived . . .” What changed us? “. . . the kindness and love of God our Saviour . . . .” May we show the love of God to our students to inspire Godly character growth and academic achievement. �

Train Children to Take ResPonsibiliTy

10 AccelerAtor

Character Counts!

The above character strip, illustrating the character trait “appreciative,” comes from 4th Edition Science PACE 1039. A.C.E. defines appreciative, one of sixty character traits of Christ used in the curriculum, as expressing thanks to God and others for the ways they have served me.

Appreciative has synonyms like thankful, indebted, and obliged. It has antonyms like unthankful, ungrateful, ingratitude, and unpleasant. The root “thank” is used in the Bible 134 times in various forms such as thank, thanks, thankful, and thanksgiving. The Bible clearly directs Believers to be appreciative in every area of their lives. As stated in I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

In the character strip, Pudge is getting prepared to go to bed. On his knees in prayer, he thanks God for his mother, grandfather, and grandmother. Sadly, this scene does not occur in some homes around the world and is a gentle reminder to cultivate an attitude of appreciation for all the blessings that God daily pours out in our lives. The blessing of family can easily be taken for granted. It is easy to get caught up in prayer for our personal needs and wants and overlook God’s generosity.

This character strip represents a scene that occurs regularly in our Learning Centers where students learn to appreciate their supervisors and other school staff by saying “thank you.” Students need to learn to be grateful and appreciate the opportunity they have of learning in a Christian school with Christian pastors, supervisors, and monitors.

Another verse for this character trait is found in I Chronicles 16:34 and tells us, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” The context of this verse is where David, the king of Israel, brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and he had set up a temporary tent for it until the Temple could be built. The Ark contained several items that were memorials to God’s miraculous provision for Israel in the past. Eventually, when the Temple was built, the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies and was the very spot where the high priest met with God every year on the Day of Atonement.

In this passage the Ark of the Covenant had been in enemy hands and now was back in the hands of Israel. When David placed the Ark in the temporary tent, he was very appreciative that there was now going to be a permanent Temple for the Ark. As a result, he praised God for His goodness and mercy in restoring the Ark back to God’s people. Most of this chapter is like a psalm written by David, and the same words (with slight variations) are found in Psalms 96, 105, and 106. David showed appreciation to God for His goodness and mercy.

May we daily strive to express thanks to our Almighty God and others for the ways they serve us. Let us also determine to serve the students and help them understand and express appreciation for their salvation, family, church, and Christian school. Let us always be quick to give thanks to Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. �

Appreciative

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for givingme such a wonderful grandfather.Thank You, too, for my motherand my grandmother. Bless them all.

Help me grow up to be just like Grandfather! And help me learn from Mother and Grandmother.

January–February 2014 11

12 AccelerAtor

I took time off from my profession (engineering) to get married and have a family. The Lord led me to minister via BLESS even though I am not considered a professional educator. I know the “slums.” I used to live there as a child, but I was not prepared for what I saw in my Learning Center.

One family lives in a shack a few feet larger than a king-sized bed. They have no electricity, water, or restroom. Their shack is surrounded by a mosquito-infested canal that overflows every time it rains. The children are pencil-thin, not used to having decent meals if any at all. They are seven and nine years old and do not know how to read.

Another child lives under other people’s floors on a creek. His mother and father are not around. He lives with a grandmother and aunt in a household of thirteen people. He has one pair of pants and some shirts. He comes to BLESS on his own because no one will bring him. He has not bathed, combed his hair, or eaten. He has lost his innocence.

Children like this do not understand simple phrases like “sit down,” “do not run,” or “What’s your name?” They have no manners. They fight, scream, and shout because that is how they survive. At BLESS we exercise firm love. We demand obedience and show compassion.

Children’s eyes grow BIG as we tell Bible or animal stories. Excitement is expressed when they smell corn for snack time. Going to the zoo is unheard of, and many have never ridden in a car, not to mention felt air conditioning!

You should see the tears on the parents’ faces as their children march at graduation. Perfect enunciation of each learned sound is demonstrated along with the recitation of verses, which have been memorized. You should see the look on children’s faces when they are told that God made them special, that God does not do bad or ugly work. God is BIG and the grace of God is bigger than anything we can imagine. These children don’t understand the concept of BIG; they are used to small and meager. BUT THEY DO NOW!

The Gospel of Jesus means nothing to these people if they only hear words but don’t see acts of kindness and the compassion we preach about. Ministering in BLESS is not a day job. It is not something that can be turned off when class is finished and you are home, resting comfortably. It is not your accomplishment, a feather in your teaching cap, or a halo on your ministry head. BLESS is about people—people who need a chance, not even a second chance, to be recipients of a BIG kind of love. The unconditional kind. Recipients of a BIG kind of grace. The unlimited kind.

Letter from S.D., Philippines

Celebrating 10 Years of God’s Goodness!

®

I am thankful to BLESS because I know now how to read and know about Jesus. Thank you for the people who helped me.

—James

Thank you, God, that through this program I learned how to read and write and have self-confidence. —Gessel

Thank you, BLESS, for teaching me. I learned many things. I learned how to read and write and even memorize verses.

—Reche

January–February 2014 13

What can your students do for these children?Celebrate 10 years of God’s blessings upon BLESS this year by supporting a BLESS Center. God is increasing the fruits of the BLESS program. For every BLESS graduate, an average of 3 people get saved. Over 8,000 children and their families have come to know Christ through the school break outreach program of BLESS. Many of these same people now attend church regularly and have a daily walk with Christ because of what they learned and saw through the Bible studies and daily examples of BLESS Center staff.

Become a World Changer when you donate $20 to sponsor one child for the 15-week BLESS program while $200 sponsors an entire BLESS Center with 10 children. Pray that God’s love will be shown to others through Biblical academic education. Spread the word about BLESS to those around you who have hearts open to helping others. Share the gift of eternal life through this evangelistic tool.

You and your students can participate in this ministry of spreading the Gospel. Give hope to a child by helping him learn about Jesus and His unconditional love and unlimited grace.

If your school would like to be recognized at ISC with a certificate of appreciation from Mrs. Howard, please submit your donation of $200 or more by May 1, 2014. Visit www.aceministries.com/bless to donate by credit card, or send it in to the address listed on the back of this publication.

Be sure to let us know how God worked through your students to pray for and support BLESS. Your testimonies and pictures of those involved in raising funds for BLESS may be on display at the 2014 ISC in Indiana, Pennsylvania. As one student at ISC said, “. . . anyone can raise money for BLESS. We can find change lying on the ground . . . .” See what God will do through you and your students! �

14 AccelerAtor

WORLD WATCH

Famous for its white sandy beaches and rich spices, oil, and gas, Malaysia is often thought of as a benign country because little excitement ever happens there. A.C.E. thinks differently. Schools using the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum are appearing all over Malaysia. It is exciting to see the growth and hear how Christian education is increasingly being accepted.

Malaysia is the southernmost tip of the continent of Eurasia in Southeast Asia, surrounded and split by the South China Sea. It is made up of thirteen states and three federal territories. A tropical climate is enjoyed by its ethnically diverse people, including a few aboriginal people groups. Islam is the national religion in Malaysia, with Buddhism a close second; however, the government promotes freedom of religion. This diversity of people, cultures, and religion contributes to its monarchy with a unique political atmosphere in which a king is elected every five years.

Malaysia’s educational system requires students to attend school from first through sixth grades (7–12 years old). Kindergarten and junior and senior high school are optional but are available at no charge.

Malaysia was introduced to Accelerated Christian Education in the late 1990s with homeschools, and the first school using the A.C.E. curriculum began in 1998. Currently there are 31 schools, which vary in size from

fewer than 10 to over 150 students, as well as many homeschools. Schools enjoy different events like Christian Educators’ Convention, training, and Student Convention. In 2013 at the 2nd annual combined Junior and Senior Student Convention, there were 400 in attendance.

A.C.E. is growing in Malaysia as families realize the need for an alternative to the secular state and private schools. Character building combined with the academic excellence that A.C.E. offers, while presenting Christian nurturing and discipleship through the PACEs, is what attracts churches and parents to the A.C.E. curriculum. Even non-Christian parents see the benefits of their children using the A.C.E. curriculum.

The main hindrance for even more growth in Malaysia is the lack of recognition from the government, even though it boasts to have freedom of religion. Permits for Learning Centers are often held up because of government regulations. A.C.E. is considered too foreign and too Christian to be accepted. Because key Malaysian schools are making progress in acquainting the Malaysian government with the advantages and academic excellence of the curriculum, they are beginning to be recognized by the Ministry of Education and higher educational institutions.

People in Malaysia are excited about the opportunities their graduates have encountered in furthering their education and moving into the workplace. There are many opportunities to reach their country for Christ, through the A.C.E. program, “one child at a time”! �

What’s happening in Malaysia?

□ Senior Pastor

□ Senior Administrator

□ Pastor

□ Principal

□ Supervisor

□ Supervisor

□ Supervisor

□ Monitor

□ Monitor

□ Monitor

□ Secretary

□ Pres., P.T.F.

□  School Board Members

Staff Distribution List

In This IssueYour Christian School p. 1

From Our President p. 3

Graduation Checklist p. 3

Parent AcceleGRAM p. 4

2014 Regional Student Conventions p. 5

2014 ISC Information p. 6

His Servants 24/7 Squad p. 7

Inspiring Achievement in Your Students p. 8

Train Children to Take Responsibility p. 9

Character Counts! p. 10

4th Edition Word Building p. 11

BLESS p. 12

World Watch p. 14

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