By Debbie Skinner
Special to the Williams Lake Tribune/Advisor
Maranatha Christian School was started in 1978 by the leaders of the Evangelical Free Church of Williams Lake. With a limited budget and a sensing of God’s direction, these leaders set out to pursue this unknown, exciting opportunity. Interest grew quickly and in the fall of the same year, the board initiated the official start of Maranatha Christian School. A humble beginning it was, the occupying the sanctuary during the week, then converting to church use for the weekends; yet, despite bumps and kinks, the infant school began to grow and develop.
Christ-centred education, memorable chapel times, devoted staff, individualized instruction, community involvement, and a striving for excellence blended into a unity of purpose that quickly established the reputation of MCS in the Williams Lake community. By 1999, Maranatha had become one of the oldest and most respected ACE schools in the province. However, knowing God still had more for the school, MCS began taking on a new identity — in curriculum and in style. In 2000, teacher-directed classes were added to the K-8 curriculum and MCS became a fully accredited Group 1 school for K-8. By 2004, MCS had expanded to a Group 1 school for K-10. MCS achieved Group 1 status for Grades 11-12 by the fall of 2005. Maranatha Christian School could then issue Dogwood Certificates.
Changes continued to be made, especially to the programs and facility. In April 2005, the Evangelical Free Church of Williams Lake purchased Crescent Heights Elementary School from the School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin and moved MCS out of the church. With the move, Maranatha gained much, including a gym, playground, top field, increased enrolment and a better ability to serve the entire community.
Today, MCS has 28 dedicated staff responding to the needs of families and providing service and support in the community. The vision of the school remains the same as when it was started many years ago; that MCS will be a school that supports parents by providing quality education integrated with a Christian view of God and His world and equips young people to serve the Lord effectively in their community. Maranatha’s graduates have gone on to experience success in the trades and post secondary education.
Happy 40th Maranatha!
