Summer’s in Full Swing!

I hope you all are enjoying a great summer filled with family activities, fun, ballgames, vacations and lots of time for rejuvenation.  One of our early summer highlights has been the opportunity to follow two great PCA alumni athletes competing against one another in the NCAA Men’s College World Series.  Cameron Rupp (class of 2007) of The University of Texas and Jordan Swagerty (class of 2008) of Arizona State faced one another twice in the Series.  It is amazing to see two students from the same school competing against one another out of all the schools and colleges in the nation!

It’s been exciting to see these two PCA athletes who were former teammates representing our school on the national level.  One of the two games featured a PCA-hosted a big screen “Watch Party” for Upper School students and alumni in the Horner Center that drew a crowd of nearly 150 students and supporters to cheer on Cameron and Jordan on just two days notice.  PCA Head Baseball Coach Mike Maack was on-hand in the stands in Omaha, NE when Cameron and Jordan went head-to-head during their first game. The coach that invested so much into his players then invested his time and support to be there in person.

Although UT eventually defeated Arizona State, we know that both of these young athletes are victorious for Christ, PCA and their respective universities.  In fact in a recent local newspaper article, Cameron reflected about his time at PCA, “PCA had everything to do with every aspect of my life today, “ he said.  “PCA not only taught us spiritually, but encouraged us to find a dream, believe and go out there and make it happen.”

I challenge all of us as PCA parents, faculty and staff to continue focusing on training up students to believe, dream and change the world whether it’s on the baseball field or any field they choose.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

God bless,
Larry

Over 1,000 Attend the Zig Event

 

Janet and Mike Huckabee, Congressman Sam Johnson, and Zig and Jean Ziglar

What a glorious night it was last week when more than 1,000 supporters gathered to honor Gov. Mike Huckabee with the first-ever Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award presented by Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) and the Prestonwood Foundation. Zig and Jean Ziglar, along with their family, were on hand as we joined together as a community to celebrate the true servant leadership example Zig steadfastly exhibits. PCA was blessed to have special guests such as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Congressman Sam Johnson, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and numerous elected officials in attendance to honor Zig and Governor Huckabee. This successful, international event was made possible by the 56 corporate and individual sponsors who supported the award that was established to annually recognize recipients who embody Zig’s selfless leadership characteristics. God provided abundantly as all proceeds benefitted PCA’s Sponsor-a-Child Program that gives equal opportunity for each student to attend PCA regardless of financial circumstances. Servant leadership extended beyond the stage and into the audience that night and continues today. Thanks to the individual servant leadership exhibited in the audience through financial gifts and prayer, as well as those gifts we are still receiving, Sponsor-a Child can help more students and families realize a Kingdom Education. In fact, it’s not too late to send in your contribution to Sponsor-a-Child Program to show your support of PCA and the Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award.

 The evening gave us a very special opportunity to recognize Zig with a commemorative gift from PCA for the special privilege he gave us of lending his name to this important  award. We also heard from current students and their families who are benefitting from a Kingdom Education at PCA because of the generous hearts of others through the Sponsor-a-Child program. Personal video testimonies of support and congratulations were viewed for both Zig and Gov. Huckabee from international influencers such as Sen. Hutchison, Rep. Johnson, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, and financial expert Dave Ramsey. 

 As Prestonwood Pastor Jack Graham presented Gov. Huckabee with this inaugural award, it was evident that Governor Huckabee was truly touched to be our first recipient. Governor Huckabee concluded his remarks so perfectly in describing why PCA now honors an annual recipient that holds true to servant leadership when he referenced the Bible in stating those seven words we all hope to hear one day, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Team’s Biggest Fan at State–Cody Novak

Tonight is a big game.

Prestonwood Christian Academy’s Varsity Boys Basketball team scraps it out against Houston Christian to see who advances to the State finals for the TAPPS 5A championship. Coach Brad Freeman and his players are ready…and have an extra dose of motivation.

His name is Cody Novak, #23.

Barry Horn, sports writer of The Dallas Morning News, has uncovered his powerful story that is not about the cancer he is battling, but about the hope and faith that exudes from Cody. In fact, the article is entitled, “Prestonwood senior’s faith an ally in fight against rare cancer.”

I am so proud of Cody Novak and his family and how they have shown the joy one can have by allowing Jesus Christ to lead your path. Cody, his sisters and his mother, Kristi, have been through a battle before. Some of you might not know about the loss of his father several years ago. They have been through so much, but it’s Cody’s response to what he’s going through now that I want to share with you.

When asked by Mr. Horn of the Dallas Morning News if he was scared, this was Cody’s response:

“People always ask me if I am scared,” he said. “I’m not scared at all. But there are days when I feel I am in a pit of hell. But life has been a blessing. God has a plan. There is no reason to ask why.”

Life has been a blessing. God has a plan.

We will all be cheering on our boys’ team tonight as they battle to win the title of State Champions. But I think we all know who will be cheering for them more than all of us combined–Cody Novak.

To Coach Freeman and his players:  Go Lions! Play with all of your heart tonight.

To Cody Novak:  Thank you for the courageous example of hope in Christ you have shown us already.

To keep up with Cody’s journey, visit him at www.caringbridge.org/visit/codynovak.