Wadsworth Family Story: Our Journey Of Faith

In 1997, the Wadsworth family helped found Faith Christian School to give their kids a Christ-centered education. Today, their grandson attends—proof of God's faithfulness through the generations. 

In 1996, while praying about our options, God put an opportunity in front of us. Some church friends (led by Kathy Roberson, Founding and First Board member) were hosting an Open House to introduce a new Christian Classical school. We attended, and after more research and prayer, we joined 47 students and their parents on the opening day of Faith Christian School in 1997. So began our journey of “Faith”…

The Founding of Faith Christian School: A Journey of Faith, Challenges, and Growth

Our story of Faith Christian School began with a deep concern for the influences shaping our children’s lives. We saw three key factors impacting their development: Home, School, and Society at Large. While we were teaching our children the values we held dear at home, we found that two of those pillars—the public school system and society—were not supporting what we were instilling. The public school system, in particular, was shifting resources toward underperforming students, leaving those who were average or above-average without the support they needed to thrive academically. We realized that the place where our children spent eight hours a day needed to reflect the values we were teaching at home, while also raising the bar for academic excellence. The public schools, it seemed, were no longer teaching our children to think critically but were instead focused on preparing them for standardized tests.

The Early Challenges

The road ahead was not without its obstacles. In the early days, FCS faced significant challenges—namely, money and physical space. We had many doubts about whether we were using our children as "guinea pigs" in this educational experiment. Finding an appropriate curriculum was another hurdle, as the classical model had fallen out of fashion. Additionally, there was the question of whether the school should align itself with a church, which could offer financial support. And, perhaps most daunting, we decided to begin with 8th grade and up, even starting with a brave senior, despite what the experts advised.

By the grace of God and the unwavering trust of the founders, we faced each challenge head-on. With prayer and persistence, we found a leader who shared our vision—Chuck Evans, our first Head of School.

One of the most memorable aspects of those early days was the hours spent in prayer, conviction, and volunteering work from the parents of the first 47 students. It was a time of deep commitment and belief in what we were building.

Building the Foundation Together

As founding families, we took on many roles, from discussions and prayers about the structure and curriculum, guiding our children through the transition from public school to the Christian Classical model, to providing financial support for a school operating at a deficit. For the first few years, there was no "Bridge Fund" to rely on, and a handful of families made up the financial difference.

Around year three or four, it became clear that fundraising was crucial for the school’s survival. A committee was formed to brainstorm ideas for bridging the gap. Our first attempt was a golf tournament, thanks to the golfing expertise of founder Kathy Roberson’s husband, Robie. But despite much prayer and planning, we faced numerous roadblocks and were unable to get the tournament off the ground. It became clear that this was not the right direction.

Instead, we decided to focus on a fundraising event that involved students, staff, and parents—something that would allow for both participation and service. And so, FaithWalk was born. This walkathon around the school’s neighborhood allowed students to raise money by sending letters to family and friends for support.

After two years of FaithWalk, the fundraising committee partnered with Liz Belcher from Roanoke Parks and Recreation to launch Project Faith. This initiative became a school-wide event where students, staff, and parents could work together in service to the community or “Ministerium”—a true reflection of the Christian values we sought to instill in our children.
Today, in its 26th year, Project Faith continues to make a profound and lasting impact on our community, transforming lives through dedicated service and meaningful initiatives.

A Blessing in Disguise

One of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the founding families was seeing how the school helped build character in our children—a legacy that persists to this day, even as our children are now in their late 30s and 40s. Faith Christian School taught our children how to think critically, reason effectively, and develop a love for lifelong learning. Looking back, we are proud that the school has stayed true to its Christian Classical model. We are overjoyed that the school now has its own campus, a place where children can continue to grow in knowledge and character.

The vision we had when we first enrolled our children in the school has come to fruition. Our children were blessed by the school’s academic rigor and biblical foundation, and they are now passing those blessings on to their own children. We pray that future generations who attend FCS will see God’s hand in everything and trust His sovereignty over everything.

Heartwarming and Humorous Stories

There are many memorable stories from the early days that still make us smile. One of the most heartwarming came when we first heard about a school being started. We had several friends who hosted an Open House for prospective families. We decided to attend with our son, Gordon, a 4th grader at the time. As we were leaving the house, our daughter, Sarah, a rising 8th grader, came running out and said, “I want to go too!” So, she did! While we initially thought Gordon would be the one to attend FCS in 6th grade, by the end of the Open House, Sarah asked us, “Can I go to this new school too?” That moment marked the beginning of our family’s journey at FCS.

Our oldest daughter, Meredith, was well into graduation requirements in public high school and therefore didn’t attend. We are happy to report that her son, our grandson Will, now attends FCS. He loves school, and we love the challenging curriculum, biblical foundation, and character building each student receives at FCS. He is growing and thriving and is happy to be there. We are so grateful that our legacy at Faith Christian School continues through him.

There’s also the humorous story—though it wasn’t funny at the time—about our son, Gordon, and his friends Aaron, Crenshaw, and James. In 2006, while the school was still under construction, these four young men from the graduating class, who had attended FCS together at the prior locations, wanted to celebrate their school spirit. Their idea? Paint a giant boulder at the new campus excavation site. However, in their enthusiasm, they forgot one important step—getting permission. Under the cover of darkness, they set to work with spray paint, but their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. A concerned neighbor called the police, and soon, the boys found themselves face-to-face with both law enforcement and Head of School, Sam Cox. Rather than punish them harshly, Mr. Cox saw a teachable moment. He asked them to remove the paint, a task they completed well into the night, armed with wire brushes, paint solvent, and a newfound? respect for asking permission. Every time we see the Senior Spirit Rock at the top of the circle at FCS, we can’t help but chuckle at the boys’ well-meaning, but mischievous, show of school spirit.

A Legacy of Faith and Friendship

As we reflect on the journey that led to the founding of Faith Christian School, we are filled with gratitude. Every time we walk through the doors of the school, we thank God for all the prayers and support that made it possible, and we marvel at how the school has remained a place that honors God in every aspect of the lives of the children who walk through its doors. The friendships our children made at FCS, built on trust and faith, have stood the test of time, and we are forever grateful for the community that continues to grow and thrive.

Susan and Dean Wadsworth