About SBACS
A message from Ed Gamble, SBACS Executive Director

Definition of Insanity—repeating the same behaviors over and over again, but expecting to get a different result.

Dear Friend,

In the year 2025 A.D., what will America be like if we “do church” for the next 22 years as we have for the last 20 years? Based on today’s trends, what impact, if any, will the church have on the culture? Will the church be almost completely marginalized by then? What kind of “State of the Kingdom” address would Jesus deliver in 2025 A.D.? Will the salt have lost its savor? Will the light be hidden under a bushel? Will the church be storming the gates of Hell or camped within them?

If we keep doing what we’ve been doing, here is my portrait of America in A.D. 2025.
1. Prostitution will be legal in most states. The legal sexual age will be 16. Abortion will be the dominant method of birth control among teens.
2. Over 50% of Southern Baptist youth will leave the church when they graduate from middle school. Most of the rest will have stopped attending by the time they graduate from high school or shortly thereafter.
3. The majority of Southern Baptist marriages will end in divorce. As a result, stable homes will be a rarity. Finding a pastor or deacon or Sunday School teacher who has not been divorced will be very difficult.
4. Doctor assisted suicide will be legal in most states.
5. Homosexual marriage will be legal. In fact, marriages of three, four or more persons will be vogue.
6. Sexual content on prime time TV will be unchecked. There will be few if any restrictions to what can be shown. Children will be exposed to this programming without restraint.
7. Christian symbols will be totally absent from all public schools, in fact, they will be considered “illegal”. Practicing Christianity on a college or public high school campus will result in outright persecution and discrimination.
8. Being a Christian will be viewed as being anti-American.

I could go on, but it sickens my heart to think such things. Yet, this is precisely the direction we are heading. Why has the church had such a minor impact on our culture in the last 20 years? Why has Christian thought been pushed out of the marketplace of ideas?

Consider this. Our denomination grew at 1.2% last year, not even enough to match our birth rate. Southern Baptist couples divorce more often than other denominations. Most evangelical church youth do not believe in absolute truth. Most youth have stopped attending church within three years of graduating high school.

“It is time Southern Baptist churches and associations look more seriously at establishing Kingdom schools. Now, I might not have said that five years ago. My attitude…was that if someone else wanted to have a Christian school then God bless them. But now I believe it is time we look...at starting at the earliest years in developing disciples and empowering Kingdom growth through education.”

Jack Graham, Former Southern Baptist Convention President,
Address to SBC Executive Committee, Sept. 2002

When the President of an organization makes a statement like Dr. Graham’s, you know that significant changes are coming. We are witnessing an awakening on a major scale! While sixteen million Baptists and millions of other Christians slumbered peacefully in prosperity, the enemies of Christ captured the power centers of a once Christian-friendly culture and are remaking America in the image of man. The Apostle Paul called Timothy to the battle. Today, James Dobson has echoed that call and declared a war between the culture of Truth and the culture created by the father of lies, Satan.

Today, KING JESUS NEEDS YOU! Remember those posters of Uncle Sam pointing his finger at viewers and calling them into his service? Today, you are still needed, but now by a much greater authority. Now, King Jesus needs your help to build a nationwide system of Christian schools among our churches so that every child can be Kingdom educated and to produce millions of TRUE disciples, warriors for Christ. WOW! What an impact on America and the world that would make for Jesus! Advancing Christian schools of excellence, uniting home, church and school in Jesus Christ.

Yes, this is RADICAL! By 2025, just one more generation, we need to build a nationwide system of at least 5,000+ Christian schools to reach America’s school children, to turn around a culture headed for spiritual and social disaster. However, Baptists only have around 650 schools today. How will we add thousands more schools?

That’s the mission of SBACS (Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools). For years SBACS has been establishing itself in denominational life, yet our churches and people are still largely unaware of our existence and role. In fact, I believe that most Baptists are asleep at the wheel about education, not realizing that our failure to provide a Kingdom Education for children means they are unlikely to lead lives as TRUE disciples, unlikely to be the salt and light Jesus expects them to be. This in part explains why our church is not growing (1.2% last year, not even matching our birth rate and with fewer baptisms than the year before) and that’s why our culture is decaying (not enough salt) and growing dark (not enough light). It is time to take back the education of our children from the hands of godless schools and give the task to *Kingdom schools and homes.

As Dr. Graham’s call indicates, the Kingdom school movement has finally made the radar screen in Southern Baptist life and is gathering steam. I believe the Christian school movement has the potential to help bring revival to America like it hasn’t seen since the Great Awakening! King Jesus needs you and SBACS has a plan that includes YOU.

How can you be a part? You can help in three ways.
1. Renew your membership or join SBACS today. Your school’s membership strengthens our alliance which is the only association like it in Southern Baptist life that represents you to the denomination. Your membership materials are enclosed, so complete and mail them today. Be a part of the movement that will sweep the nation in the next 20 years. If your church or school has the resources to become Pacesetter Members, I urge you to join at that level of support.

2. Attend Building Kingdom Schools. Attend Building a Kingdom School Institute, a three day workshop, designed to equip Christian school leaders with a biblical philosophy of education and assist them in developing a comprehensive, intentional plan to make this philosophy a reality in their school and culture. Visit www.lifeway.com/schoolresources for more details.

3. Read Dr. Glen Schultz’ book, Kingdom Education. Like nothing ever before, this book has caught the attention of leaders like Josh McDowell and Jack Graham who have begun to speak out regarding the need for Kingdom schools. Get copies for as many of your faculty, board and parents as you can. Ask a donor to buy the copies so you can give them away. It will change the way your parents and church members view the role of Christian schooling.

4. Attend How to Start a Christian School 101, a two day workshop designed to provide you with all the basic tools and information you need to plan and start a Christian school, along with helpful workbook, books, resources and contacts to guide you through the start up process. Visit Christian Shool 101 on our website.

KING JESUS NEEDS YOU! The Christian school movement may well be the next Sunday School movement in our churches. I believe it is and I want to be at in the front of the charge as the Lord leads us into a new era of influence in America. How about you?

Expectantly yours in Christ,
Ed Gamble, SBACS Executive Director