| From the Desk of Bruce Hawk... |
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In August of 1999 Redeemer Christian School opened it's doors with seventy-five students. However, Redeemer had been the desire of the Lyall family long before that. The Lyall family had donated twenty-six acres of land to a church in Ocala for the purpose of establishing a Christian School on the site where Redeemer now stands. That church tried for many years to establish a school, but many set backs and obstacles prevented them from being successful.
In God's timing, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church joined in league with the Lyall family to continue the vision of a Christian school. Ted Strawbridge, the pastor of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church did not have the expertise to establish a school but he did know two people who could. Ted had crossed paths with Ann and Bernie Abbott at a previous ministry assignment. Mr. Abbott had a long history in medical school administration and Mrs. Abbott had a long history in public school administration.
Ted contacted the Abbotts and asked them to pray about helping get a new school started. After praying over the matter, the Abbotts felt God leading them to come along side of Good Shepherd Church to aid in the effort to start the school.
The Abbotts unselfishly gave two years of their life for the ministry of Redeemer Christian School. They took no salary and stayed on site during the school week and traveled back to Tallahassee on the weekend to care for Mrs. Abbott's aging mother.
As they began to look for staff members, other teachers refused salaries to help launch the school.
The goal was to start with 35 students. As the Abbotts shared the vision and mission of the school, many families began to share the vision and desired the things the school was devoted to for their children.
God blessed their efforts and prayers beyond their hopes. Instead of starting with thirty-five students, there were 75 students. Our school has been growing ever since. Redeemer started this school year with two hundred forty seven students. We are excited about were God will be taking us in the future.
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