Wouldn't it be great to find an affordable Christian school where you can develop leadership skills while earning a cutting-edge education? Welcome to St. Mark's Academy! We are a 100% online, Christian leadership academy that offers students the flexibility and attention required to reach their goals, at pace that suits their individual needs. At their fingertips is 120 hours of course work that will challenge and shape them into outstanding young Christian leaders - all tailored to suit each individual's unique interests and skills. Furthermore, students have 24/7 access to one-on-one instruction!

At St. Mark's, students have the freedom to define what Christian leadership means to them. We give the tools, choices and support to help them succeed! St. Mark's is a great choice for full-time, diploma-seeking students who desire a truly unique and diverse approach to their Christian education. What’s more, St. Mark's provides leadership classes each semester - equipping each student with leadership skills that will be of tremendous value throughout his or her lifetime. Each student will have a personal learning coach who will guide him or her along the journey to become God's best!

So you may be asking, "why online?" Online education is growing at a tremendous rate due to the flexibility to learn at your own pace, and to learn in the environment you feel most comfortable. This innovative way of education also gives parents the ability to follow their student's progress each step of the way. At St. Mark's, we empower our students in ways you will find nowhere else!

http://www.stmarksacademy.net/befree

Last week New Man spoke with Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, Calif. The up-and-coming preacher talked about the craziness of God’s love, “spiritual amnesia,” and why he thinks he may die before his book releases next month.
By Drew Dyck


New Man: My first question is about the title of your book Crazy Love. Can you unpack that a little? Why did you choose that title?

Francis Chan: We chose the term “crazy” because when you look at the gospel it’s really a ridiculous story—that the Creator of the Universe would watch His Son be tortured for us. We can’t even fathom having that kind of love for someone, especially if we were that great and powerful. We hear the story so often that it loses its shock. It’s crazy, so our response should be crazy as well. If we’re showing Him, casual lukewarm, complacent love, it doesn’t make sense. Why did the people in the Book of Acts give up everything they had? Why didn’t they care about their stuff? Because they saw a man rise from the grave. Now if they saw a man rise from the grave and nothing changed in their lives, that wouldn’t make sense. Yet, that’s exactly what we do.

New Man: What is “spiritual amnesia?” And what can be done to combat it?

Chan: There are times when we are so struck by the truth of God’s Word and the truth of God’s being, and yet a couple hours later, we’re so into a Lakers game we forget all about God. It is because we live in America and have a love of entertainment. In the words of John Piper we “amuse ourselves to death.” So that’s where the enemy hits. It’s similar to going on a mission trip. We have such amazing experiences, and we come home saying, ‘I swear I’ll never forget that.’ Then a week later we forget it and life is back to normal. That’s spiritual amnesia.

New Man: In your book you tip a lot of sacred cows. You write that lukewarm Christians are grateful for comfort and luxuries.

Chan: A lot of people have determined what they want to believe. So when they go to the Scriptures they go in making them say what they want them to say. I would love to just take care of myself, have enough retirement for my family and me. That makes sense to me. It’s logical to me, and I have the means to pull it off. I could very easily make a case for that biblically and say it’s OK for me to do that. But when I really read the Scriptures as objectively as I can and ask, ‘What’s it really saying?’ it’s nothing of that sort. It’s all about caring for the least of these, sacrificing and risking my life. I can’t be thinking about what my life will look like in 30 years if my true brother in Christ is dying right now and will die this week unless I get food to him. In America we try to mesh what is American with what is biblical, and we come up with this church we have today.

New Man: One of your chapters is titled “Your Best Life … Later.” Is that a conscious refutation of some of the more popular teaching out there?

Chan: Absolutely. I just think it’s just a bunch of bull. I even played with the idea of titling the book that. I think it’s such a dangerous heresy that’s out there that says God just wants you to be rich and healthy. It goes against the way Christ lived and against the way He told the disciples they’d have to live. I don’t want to be this person who is against anyone who is rich, but I just think if you’re a Christian you don’t really care about money. Why would we lure people into the Christian life promising physical riches? Isn’t God enough? Isn’t the fact that I’ve got a relationship with Almighty God enough? Jesus’ message was you should want to follow Me even if it means losing everything. That’s what Scripture teaches.

New Man: You write that we tend to turn saints into celebrities. Being the pastor of a large church do you fear that could happen with you?

Chan: Yes. It’s happening with

http://chosenteacher.groundforcenetw...

Chevrolet wants to equip your school and classrooms with practical, enticing resources that encourage students to read. Because of this desire to help you make a difference in the lives of young people, Chevrolet would like to provide you with a free book set of New York Times best-selling author Ted Dekker’s newest young adult book, Chosen. Chosen is part of a new young adult series by Dekker called The Lost Books.



THERE IS NO CATCH! This is a free offer, no strings attached. Chevrolet simply wants to give educators an opportunity to have more tools & resources that encourage students to get excited about reading. All you have to do is apply. Select teachers will then receive a kit that includes 24 copies of Chosen plus a resource guide with suggested discussion questions.



Important things to know about this first book giveaway:
Any educator can apply to receive a book kit. Please read the guidelines below.

* Registration is only open to teachers & educators in the 50 continental United States
* These Chosen book kits are part of a first round of books being given away, and will be distributed primarily in the southeastern states. We will be conducting further programs to other regions in the future, so we encourage everyone to sign-up so we can let you know about future book giveaways
* EVERY educator (based in one of the 50 continental United States) who signs up will automatically be registered to win a $500 gift card.
* Once you apply, you will be notified via email whether or not you have been selected to receive a kit.
* If you are a Chosen teacher, you will receive your books and resources two to four weeks after you submit your application.
* Questions? Email us at chosen@groundforcenetwork.com