March 17, 2010

Dear Friends,

For the past two years I’ve been amazed by God’s care and intervention at Cornerstone Crossroads Academy. I have realized my complete dependence on Christ to change kids’ lives. From the way He brought just the right student at the right time to the confirmation when we had to let a student go, He has clearly shown us the next step all along the way.

Provisions from pizza for the kids every Wednesday, to international mission trips and Greg Stevenson’s Walk for the Future have confirmed His work, His presence, and His provision.

There have been conflicts that helped us refine our mission and educational approach. We are still learning how to best identify and serve kids who need another chance.

God has demonstrated His protection when bullets flew into the building a few feet overhead. He has demonstrated His grace through dozens of life stories shared with the students. He has demonstrated His love through hands that serve students food, tutor them in math and reading, teach them to use machinery and build robots, treat their illnesses and injuries, and open His Word to share hope for the future.

South Dallas juvenile probation officers have told us we are the only faith-based high school program engaging older teenagers who have dropped out of school or gotten very far behind, many with drug and gang problems and some with children of their own. These students come to school day in and day out, learn what the Bible says about the hope that is found in Christ, and make life-changing decisions. Most of them wouldn’t go to church or a Young Life club, but because they want a high school diploma, they will sit under biblical teaching and hear God’s message of hope.

Our founders, Jim & Jane Beckett, started Cornerstone Crossroads Academy four years ago, when they turned 80 years old. This is their last year to fund and lead the school. They have graciously offered to let us continue to use the materials and supplies that have been donated over these past four years, but as of January, requested that we establish a new 501(c)(3) and a new Board of Directors. We are in the process of trying to do that now, as we also try to raise our annual budget of $120K.

God has clearly led us each step of the way and we believe that He will continue to do so. Although our hearts ache to continue this mission and we feel confused while we wait for Him to show us the next step, our hope is completely in Him. He is sovereign and will accomplish His work with or without our school. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to love and serve the kids He has placed with us these past two years. I hope He will let us continue, but trust His goodness if He chooses another avenue.

Please pray for our students and our school, as we wait for Him to show us the next step.

Kristi Lichtenberg
Cornerstone Crossroads Academy