STATEMENT OF FAITH

            We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible is without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.  We believe the Bible is the revelation of God’s plan of salvation for mankind.  
(II Timothy 3:15; II Peter 1:20, 21)
            We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy  6:4, Matthew 28:19; John 10:30, II Corinthians 13:14, Romans 3:23).
            We believe that God created the universe and that it was perfect; that man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin; that all men are sinners by nature and under God's condemnation.
(Genesis1:1,2,27; Romans 5:18a)
            We believe that Jesus Christ is fully human, and fully God. We believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal and visible return to earth.  We believe that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on our behalf.  (Matthew 1:20-21, I Timothy 2:5-6, Acts 1:9-11) 
            We believe that salvation is the gift of God, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins; that this salvation is the possession of those who by faith accept Christ as their personal Savior. We believe that there is no other way to salvation.
(John 3:16; 14:6; Romans10; Ephesians 2:5,8)
            We believe in the Holy Spirit Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide.
(John 3:16-19;14:16 -17;16:8-11, Acts 1:8;5:24; Romans 3:23;5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)
            We believe every believer has a scriptural mandate to share his life of faith in Christ. We believe the only Christ many will ever see is the Christ they see in us, thereby making our personal lives the most powerful influence for an effective Christian witness.
(Matthew 5:16; 28:19, 20, John 20:21)
            We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.  
(Revelation 22:12, I Thessalonians 4:16, 17, Luke 16:22-25)
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MOTTO

By His Spirit, I am committed to be the dwelling in which Christ lives.
Ephesians 3:17-19,

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
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VISION STATEMENT

             First Love Christian Academy of Southwestern Pennsylvania is committed to providing a superior Christian education environment. This environment will enable our students’ lives to be fulfilled by developing Christian attributes to meet the challenges of today’s world. Proverbs 22:6

             Led by God, the Academy’s high academic standards raise the bar, giving the students the opportunity to prepare for future education.  The Academy educates students by integrating God’s Word, technology, and interdisciplinary techniques in all areas of study. Ecclesiastes 9:10

            Students will demonstrate discipleship through modeling Christian citizenship, which will impact the local community, charitable organizations, and both ecumenical and secular mission projects.  Students will have daily contact with Christian educators and leaders who will testify to the successes in their lives as a result of proclaiming Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Matthew 25:32-46

           The school structure will encourage parent involvement which subsequently will reflect examples of Christian life to the students.  At the same time, students will be encouraged to excel independently and learn accountability for their decisions both academically and socially. Ephesians 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:9-10

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MISSION STATEMENT

Mission Statement - We are committed to educating the whole child and guiding an upcoming generation of Christian leaders to continually grow with their first love…Jesus Christ  Revelation 2:4, Mark 12:30, Matthew 10:37

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Core Values

v All Academy personnel are loyal servants who accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

v The Word of God is integrated into all curricula revealing His truth, love, sovereignty, and power.

v All aspects of the Academy enable students to grow as Christian leaders.

v Personnel and students recognize that God’s work is completed through His children.

v Personnel and students acknowledge that with God, all things are possible. 
 

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Philosophy of Education

The primary purpose of FLCA is to develop and maintain a Christ-centered academic institution. The Word of God, Christian moral values and missions-based work are at the core of the ministry of FLCA. Biblical Christian principles will be incorporated in all aspects of our training.

According to Scripture, the education of students is primarily the responsibility of the parents/guardians (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). FLCA is in partnership with parents/guardians to foster open communication and shared priorities in order to diligently teach God’s Word and His Will to students on a daily basis.

Our philosophy recognizes God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things and the Source of all truth. God has revealed Himself to mankind both through His creation (Genesis 1:26, 37) and His inspired, infallible and authoritative Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17). An individual’s mind begins to open to the truth of God (as revealed in the Bible) through the transforming power of God’s Holy Spirit working in him or her. This truth becomes the basis for his or her worldview and interpretation of life. The saving, transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ must be the basis of Christian education, without which its goals can never be fully realized. The Christian educational plan of learning through integration of Biblical principles is not just an academic experience but also a sanctifying experience as the teacher and student grow in their understanding of Christ as Lord of their lives. It is the desire of FLCA to develop and exemplify Biblical character qualities that glorify God as Jesus portrayed through His life of obedience, service and love for others.

We do not separate our students’ experiences or education into “secular” and “religious”. All creation is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and is to glorify God. Therefore, all creation is to be studied and understood from a Christian perspective, in order that God may be praised.

We desire to see each student be nurtured in his or her Christian faith and develop his or her unique, God-given abilities to become a useful, creative and Christian citizen in the world. All school activities, curricula and practices are based on a Biblical view of humankind and creation. We try to glorify God by providing the best possible education and development of the “whole” child (spiritual, academic, physical, emotional and social), enabling each student to achieve his or her greatest potential.

Our Christian staff is essential to the achievement of these goals. Our faculty members are committed to our Lord Jesus Christ and evidence this in their lives. Furthermore, our faculty members are well-trained in their individual fields.

In summary, our goal is to be distinctly Christian in our educational philosophy. We seek to work with the home to nurture our children in the way they should go, so that they will not depart from it when they are old. Proverbs 22:6

Objectives

Spiritual

1.  To develop a firm and lasting relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ

2.      To teach students that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God 

3.      To develop a desire to know and obey the will of God as revealed to him or her in the scriptures and carry it out daily

4.      To develop in each student the mind and heart of Christ toward Godliness and mission work

5.      To impart Biblical attitudes toward material things and to encourage individual responsibility of using them to God’s glory

6.      To show a realistic and Biblical view of life and work

7.      To teach Christian character through example

8.      To develop critical Christian thinking skills that enable the student to confront the world from a Biblical perspective

9.      To show students the importance of personal Bible study, prayer, church involvement and mission work to reach out to others less fortunate than they

10. To teach students about our Godly American heritage and responsible freedom, human dignity and acceptance of authority

Academic

1.      To promote high academic standards for each student and recognize his or her unique, God-given gifts and learning styles in order to help the student reach his or her full potential

2.      To gain an appreciation of God’s natural laws and encourage good stewardship therein

3.      To help each student gain a thorough understanding and command of the fundamental processes (such as reading, writing, speaking, listening and reasoning) used in communicating and interacting with others

4.      To teach and encourage the use of good study habits

5.      To discuss current events in all fields and relate them to God’s plan for man

6.      To stress the importance of excellence and to instruct each student to know how to work independently as well as cooperatively

7.      To instill an appreciation of the fine arts through the development of each student’s understanding and personal expression

8.      To foster an environment that is conducive to learning through mutual acceptance, affirmation, encouragement, cooperation and creativity

9.      To provide instruction that develops and challenges the potential of each student

Physical

1.      To promote physical fitness, good health habits and wise use of the body as the temple of God

2.      To develop the spiritual part of the athlete so that the Holy Spirit is in control and directing his or her mind and body

3.      To insure the safety of each student in the physical surroundings, various activities and relationships with one another

4.      To exhibit positive Christian character qualities and express them openly through the medium of sportsmanship 

5.      To encourage students to dress modestly so that they will be visual witnesses of the wholesome Christian lifestyle

6.      To develop life-long habits that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being

Emotional

1.      To understand and accept themselves and those things that they discern they cannot change as being a creation of God

2.      To be controlled by the Spirit of God rather than emotion and to work on emotional weaknesses with God’s help

3.      To depend on the promises of God through difficult and emotional times

4.      To stand on Truth rather than emotional or circumstance

5.      To guide students in finding the peace and joy of the Lord in all things (Philippians 4:4-7)

6.      To be intolerant of remarks and behavior that damage another’s emotional well-being

7.      To provide a safe and secure environment as needed for emotional health

Social

1.      To demonstrate Christ’s love and model kindness in relationships

2.      To teach the student to treat everyone with love and respect as brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of their abilities, limitations, gender, national origin or ethnic identity

3.      To stimulate students in their God-given responsibilities of time, talent and treasure

4.      To promote unity and cooperation between school and family

5.      To teach students to filter all social behavior through God’s Word when deciding what is proper and good

6.      To develop self-discipline based upon respect for submission to God

7.      To motivate students to become responsible citizens within the sphere of their local, state, national and world communities

To help parents/guardians understand the purpose of Christian education

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