Parents Testimonials
“My husband and I have always based where we live on where my husband is employed. Because of the crazy economy over the past few years, we have moved several times, always following "the job".
Our son turned five this Summer, and after a long and arduous decision making process, we chose to enroll him in Mars Hill Academy's kindergarten class. He has been a student for over a month now, and we are more than confident that we have indeed made the right decision to send him to Mars Hill. The other day, it occurred to my husband and I that we need to stay put until our son graduates.
So now, we are in the position where we will be staying in this location for at least twelve more years, and all future employment decisions will be based on their proximity to Mars Hill. What an unexpected life style change we have encountered - all because of Mars Hill Academy. And how stress free life has ultimately become!”
Sincerely,
— Diana
"I just wanted to send a note to say how much we enjoyed the Vision Dinner Saturday night. It just reinforced what we already feel--that Mars Hill is a very, very special place.
I knew parts of the Mars Hill story, but it was so wonderful to hear the whole story with pictures. I am truly humbled by the work of many people who laid a foundation that my children now enjoy.
I just want to encourage you on the rough days that you are doing great Kingdom building! I know ministry work can sometimes be hard and you often hear the negative more than the positive. The seeds you are sowing will reap a great harvest for our children.
So thank you and bless all of you."
— Melissa
"Mars Hill Academy has been an "above and beyond" blessing to our family. We sought out Mars Hill as a place to educate our children in a godly environment, using classical methods and a Christ-centered focus. We longed for a place where our desire to challenge and inspire our children to do all things "as unto the Lord" was understood and championed. We knew we found that place when we found Mars Hill in 2007, but had no idea how the Lord would work through the school to bless us unexpectedly when we needed it most.
In January 2008, my husband, Scott, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We have four young sons and I knew the year ahead would be tough. Our two oldest boys, Jason (now 8, in 2nd grade) and Ben (now 6, in Kindergarten) were thriving at Mars Hill. Our younger two sons, Joshua (now 4) and Brian (now 2), couldn't quite comprehend why Daddy was leaving and why Mommy was becoming busier by the day.
Soon after my husband's departure, caring Mars Hill families started
reaching out, donating meals and offering support. I was truly amazed that
so many people seemed so genuinely concerned about our little family. As
summer approached, I tried to prepare for the inevitable "down time" that
comes with it. The kids quickly began to miss the camaraderie
and, yes, stimulation of Mars Hill. Because I work full-time, they began
to miss family-time even more. Then, Mars Hill began coming out
in force. Unexpectedly, I began receiving emails and later phone calls from
families wanting to help. Saturday after Saturday, different groups of Mars
Hill students, alumni and friends visited our home and brought with them
the best kind of helpfulness - the kind born out of genuine Christian charity.
Everyone was humble, respectful and eager to do whatever needed to be done.
One weekend, my empty flower bed in the front yard was transformed into
a wonderful garden that brought me such a sense of peace and joy. On another
Saturday, my gutters were cleaned out and my garage and shed organized.
And, on more than one humbling occasion, my house was cleaned from top to
bottom, repairs were made, my yard was tended and fantastic organizational
strides were made! Most importantly, however, was the kindness and
sense of family they brought with them. They took time to play with the
boys and to chat with me. They were always courteous and thoughtful, even
bringing food, drinks (and a portable grill on one occasion!) so that I
did not have to think about cooking for a crowd. Each time that these Mars
Hill groups left our home, I felt like I had been given a big hug and that,
somehow, I could make it through the days ahead. My husband and I had
moved into our home in Lebanon just six weeks before he deployed. The Mars
Hill families that visited our home this summer didn't just help us with
cleaning. They helped make us feel at home in our own house.
This fall, I was surprised to find some of the same wonderful students
who had visited our home over the summer (and some wonderful new faces)
were back for more! They organized and prepared weekly meals for our family
and came over to clean the house, help with yard work and spend time with
the kids. I was again blessed, as the start of the school year had been
particularly challenging for our family without Daddy at home. I guess
it made perfect sense, in the light of the new school year, that these
young people were members of the MHA service committee. But, I knew them simply as disciples
of Christ, exemplifying His heart as He has instructed us-- to love others
and care for those in need. During their visit this fall, I felt warmed
and touched at the sound of classical hymns being sung as these teenagers
literally ministered to our needs. One young woman cheerfully attacked the "yuckiest" chores
available, while others graciously teamed up to clean and tackle other projects,
bringing laughter and joy throughout the house (and yard!).
Throughout the summer and fall, my boys looked up to these young men and
women as the standard on how adolescents should behave when they encounter "typical" teenage
behavior in the world. I will be forever thankful for the support we received,
but also for the role models these young people became to my kids.
For me, I realized that not only had the Lord answered our prayer with regard
to our children's education, but He had also provided a caring community
of believers whose servant hearts were matched only by their humble authenticity. When
people ask me now if Mars Hill is the "real deal," I can confidently
rave that it most certainly is - not only because of the phenomenal
education, but also because the culture at Mars Hill really does inspire
young people to go beyond themselves in pursuit of Christ.
My husband returned December 2008, and he was not surprised at
all to
find that our decision to become part of the Mars Hill family had been exactly
the right one. While the separation was difficult, we are thankful
for the opportunities we had to see God's handiwork in progress as He evidenced
His Providence in our lives. The families and young people at Mars
Hill that impacted our lives in 2008 will probably never fully understand
what they did for us. But, we suspect, in this particular area, they
don't endeavor to understand...only to serve in Christ's name."
— Elizabeth
“MHA provides a unique combination of biblical
Christianity and challenging academics. There is a loving environment
where children are nurtured in their faith and given a lifelong love of
learning.”
— Parents of 2nd and 3rd grade students
“We have noticed a decided impact just within
the first quarter of the school year. Our daughter has developed spiritually,
intellectually, and socially. It has been amazing to see all that she
has accomplished in the academic realm.”
— Parents of a Kindergarten student
“When we decided to delegate part of our God-given
responsibility to educate our children to a school, we sought after a
staff of godly men and women whose lives model the life of Christ. We
found these role models at Mars Hill.”
— Parents of 3rd and 5th grade students
“Our children have thrived in MHA’s environment
through their focus on the basics of education.”
— Parents of 2nd and 4th grade students
“Our family had looked at many schools, and had not found the balanced
combination of Christian principle and academic excellence. My wife is a
certified elementary school teacher with several years experience in the
public schools. We had explored every practical possibility for our children’s
education. There is nothing else like Mars Hill available!”
— Father of an 8th grade student
If you have a testimonial about your child's Mars Hill education that you would like to share, please send it to Patsy Hall at info@marshill.edu.
