Maranatha Academy began in 1982 with three home school families who were members of a small home group Bible study at Darrow Road Wesleyan Church. The enrollment was five students. It was decided that we should meet in the church parsonage basement to share teaching responsibilities. As part of the founding members, we worked together to establish the details and principles of Maranatha Academy. God provided the right people, in the right places, at the right time and blessed us richly. We have viewed the school primarily as a ministry for God. As Maranatha grew, we moved to the First Covenant Church on Belknap, then to the building on 16th and John Avenue.
As we continued to expand, the secondary used different facilities including Christian Missionary Alliance, Central Assembly of God, and Darrow Road Wesleyan Church, finally settling in our present building.
Maranatha’s Academy’s mission statement says:
“Maranatha Academy exists to assist Christian parents in fulfilling their responsibility to provide a Christ-centered educational program integrating academic excellence, spiritual growth and social and physical development.”
This active relationship between parents and school is the key to effectively teaching and training children to honor God in all that they do. The family ultimately has the largest influence on the success of their children in education and in life. The school exists to assist the family by providing qualified teachers and staff, a good curriculum, and a place for children to learn and grow. If either side of this relationship fails to manage their responsibility, the system fails.
Thank you to the many, many families we have had the privilege of knowing over the years. We thank the Lord for bringing you into our lives.
Bruce and Mary Herstad