At Faith Christian School, the Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) has set its aim, not on adding more busyness to our lives, but rather on doing a few things well and in a way that brings honor to God.

As parents, our days are full. Checking off our to-do lists can bring us joy and a sense of accomplishment, but some days can feel chaotic and overwhelming as we move from one responsibility to another.

At Faith Christian School, the Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) has set its aim, not on adding more busyness to our lives, but rather on doing a few things well and in a way that brings honor to God.

In Genesis 1.26, we are given the creation mandate: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.’” We are shown that community and work are essential to who God created us to be. As we work, plan, and purpose together, we find joy, camaraderie, and friendships. The mission of the PVO is to build community by fostering relationships and encouraging families, faculty, staff, and students through prayer and action.

When we make time to work together toward shared goals, not only do our full days become imbedded with laughter, encouragement, and support, but we see more clearly how fulfilling the needs of others does the same for them. Philippians 4:1-4 reminds us:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Our school is at its best when the PVO is supporting our teachers, students, and families by using our gifts and abilities within the community. For parents with the gift of encouragement or generosity, this can mean participating in our Adopt-a-Staff program. For parents with the gift of time or service, this can mean volunteering for lunch duty. For parents with the gift of organization or planning, this can mean preparing for Harvest Hangout. For parents with the gift of creating beauty, it can mean decorating our school for Christmas. Recognizing that prayer is a spiritual discipline to be cultivated, we invite all parents to ask the Lord for his guidance and protection upon our school.

Through prayer and volunteerism, we parents display to our children the beauty of existing in the fullness of the community as ordered by our Maker. Our actions encourage others to do likewise. When we walk in servanthood, we are given the opportunity to flourish as individuals, and as a community.

-Emily Harrison, President of the PVO