After visiting the community schools in Orlando and Bradenton, God gave me the vision for a community school in the Tampa area. After several phone calls from families who desired for a community school to be in the area, I began putting action to the vision. A couple of hundred flyers were passed out to homeschool groups, churches, and Growing Kids God’s Way classes for an informational meeting to begin to bring people together and survey the interest.

On January 22, 2002, the first informational meeting took place at a local library. Fifty-five people attended that first meeting, and interest continued to grow as more informational meetings took place. Faithful attendees later met to decide upon the curriculum, mission, and purpose of the school, and a governing board was formed. The priorities of faith, family, and school along with moral and academic excellence were a resounding echo throughout the hearts of the families present. In May of that same year, Tampa Covenant Church opened their doors to the school as the pastor saw the vision for the community. From that point, applications were received, and the summer months were busy as four teachers and six board members met families and prepared for the new school to open.

August 8, 2002 was a wonderful day! Opening chapel was exciting as parents, teachers, and children sang praises to God, planted a tree, and enjoyed a majestic dove release. The first school year began with 42 students, Pre-K through 5th grade, representing 32 families. It was absolutely amazing that a school was formed in such a short amount of time, but God had been working long before in the hearts of those involved.

The first school year was only the beginning. By the third school year, we had added a middle school program. We had an unexpected need for a new location, and Tampa First Church of the Nazarene opened their doors to our school. During our fifth school year, we earned full accreditation status through Christian Schools International, which was a great accomplishment for a small, young school - we gave God the glory! Currently, we have Pre-K through 8th grade and are partnering to help educate 92 students. God is teaching our families about true faith and walking daily as we trust in Him.

The blessings have been abundant in such a short time. In the beginning months, there was a day when an unexpected $100 bill came, and that same day an unexpected $100 donation was received. A very special day was when a young fourth grade boy exclaimed, with excitement to his mom, that he now had friends for the first time, because he instantly made friends at his new school. TCCS is a community of families with the priorities of faith, family and school. The families have a like-mindedness which is strengthened by their participation in a Biblical parenting class. The blessings have been ordinary and extra-ordinary, but most importantly, God has made it very evident that his hand is on TCCS.

When reflecting on how God has used me, I think that the most important thing I have learned is to have a willing heart, and God can use you to do mighty things. I am amazed that He has blessed me and chosen to use me in such a way to serve the families of this school. I look forward to seeing and being a part of the wonderful plans that God has for the families of TCCS. This is an exciting journey, and I'm so glad He's using me to partner with these families.

Love in Christ,

Melissa Walker