Family Christian Academy

Family Christian Academy (FCA) was organized in 1983 as a ministry outreach of Family Worship Center. Pastor Jimmy Swaggart and his virtuous wife, Frances, fulfilled their heart’s desire to establish an educational system that would not only give the children of the community the best education, but also a strong foundation in the Lord and His Word. This was one of the many avenues used to prepare today’s youth to step out into the world with a strong sense of purpose to spread God’s Word.

This school exists as an extension of the family to educate children in the fear of the Lord; that they may recognize and accomplish the tasks God has laid before them. Christian parents are offered the assistance with fulfilling their divine responsibility of educating their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We believe the ultimate purpose of FCA is to provide quality education in a truly Christian environment. Every subject is taught with the consciousness that Jesus Christ is the center of all living and learning. Our programs are designed to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social needs of our students.

Our missions at FCA is to lead students to accept Christ as their Savior and cultivate a relationship with Him through prayer, Bible study and observation of the proper example of a Christian walk. This process helps them to be ambassadors for Christ in today’s world. Students are motivated to become lifelong learners, apply research techniques, critical thinking and technological advances in their quest for knowledge and wisdom. They are truly prepared to impact the world without allowing the world to negatively impact them.

Out of their love for Christ, the student will develop a compassion for all humanity, recognize the Godly potential of those in his own environments, as well as the remote areas of the world, showing concern, respect, and kindness to all.

The salvation of our youth is important to Pastor Swaggart.
“And I sought for a man among them, who should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30).

Among the citizens of Jerusalem, none were found able or willing to attempt a reformation, or call the nation to prayer. There was no one willing or faithful enough to seek God through intercession on Jerusalem’s behalf. Whether in the Old Testament times of Jerusalem, or today in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, each generation of youth is much the same: lost and dying, unless they come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; who He was, who He is, and who they are in Him. We have a world full of lost and back slidden teenagers who are either being fed a lukewarm message, or just brushed off as a hopeless case. These young men and women will die eternally lost unless there is a move of the Holy Spirit. But Crossfire Youth Ministries has taken a stand to fill this gap and to make a difference for God today. We are standing in the gap for the lost and indifferent youth of this world. We will not sit idly by and watch them waste away because of false teaching and worldly lures.

“Let no man despise your youth; but be thou an example of the Believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12).

True spiritual growth in not measured by age, but by what you know. Every believer is called to be an example, to set the pattern. But how can we set a proper example for our youth if we’re not brave enough to tell them “The Truth”. Scripture tells us to “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord”. We are in this world but we are not of it. We stand in the Blood of Christ, not outside of it. We preach, teach and believe the Cross of Christ, and have our faith firmly planted in what Jesus did for us at Calvary. We realize that it is a finished work through His death, burial, and resurrection. Understanding Christ and Him crucified is what produces real change, through conviction and repentance of sins. For that is the real Gospel of Jesus Christ: a message that leads to conviction, repentance, and produces true change. We are all this and more, but above all, we are unique soldiers of one accord in Christ, standing in the gap for today’s youth, attempting to make up the hedge by raising the standard.

Christopher Granier, Ph.D.
Principal
STATEMENT from the PRINCIPAL

I am deeply honored to be serving as principal of Family Christian Academy, and I would like to thank you for trusting FCA with your children’s education.
I was raised just north of Baton Rouge and attended a relatively small private, Christian school in Central, Louisiana: Central Private School. After I graduated, I attended Louisiana State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in physics with a minor in mathematics. My formal education ended in 2015 when I defended my dissertation and earned a doctorate in physics at LSU. I have been a teacher at Family Christian Academy ever since.
My first year at FCA, I fell in love with the unique opportunity I had to make a positive impact on the students with whom I interacted. FCA offers a Christ-centered, college-preparatory education, one that inspires students to lead lives which embody Colossians 3:23-24: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Over the past few years, FCA has made vast strides in improving its academic programs. For instance, we have started offering dual enrollment mathematics through LSU, and each year, we have expanded the courses offered. The 2018-2019 senior class broke record after record in terms of academic achievement. We had three students earn A’s in dual enrollment calculus, and five students complete two sophomore-level English classes (with an A or B). About half the class scored in the 30’s on the ACT with individual composite scores of a 32, 33, 34, and 35. Some of these students graduated FCA with 17 hours of dual enrollment college credit. These accomplishments place those students in the upper 1 to 2% of graduating seniors nationwide, and this is something that the school faculty and administration is deeply proud of. We have also had students place both in Southeastern District Literary Rally and state rally at LSU in subjects such as English III and IV, Advanced Mathematics, Algebra I and II, Calculus I and II, Physical Science, Physics, and World Geography.
I believe that education is a life-long endeavor, but the quality of the foundation of that education is paramount. It begins with roots in a loving, caring family which seeks to plant the seeds of a relationship with God. When your son or daughter graduates Family Christian Academy, I hope they leave with four things.

– A deep-seated love of learning that enables them to not only be successful in their careers or future educational endeavors but also allows them to adapt to an ever-changing world around them.

– A humble confidence that yields the ability to communicate and discuss ideas and criticisms with subordinates, with peers, and with superiors in a mutually respectful manner.

– A persevering spirit so that they can face the adversity that adult life brings with it.

– An unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and an active, growing relationship with Him that shines through them and is readily apparent in their character as they go into the post-high school world.

Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Family Christian Academy excels not only at fostering that relationship children have with the Lord but also at providing the opportunity for students to be ready to stand on their own two feet, grounded in their faith and a strong academic background.

Ms. Carolyn Richards
Business Administrator

TO BE EDUCATED
by Carolyn Caines

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been taught how to communicate with the Designer of all language,

I have not been educated.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God’s wisdom,

I have not been educated.

If I have read Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of books—the Bible—and have no knowledge of its personal importance,

I have not been educated.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God’s Word in my heart,

I have not been educated.

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One who orders our universe,

I have not been educated.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker’s purpose for all creation,

I have not been educated.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not learned about the hand of God in the history of our country,

I have not been educated.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves listeners to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him,

I have not been educated.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball, and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God’s will,

I have not been educated.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of daVinci, and even paint a portrait that gains acclaim, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God,

I have not been educated.

If I graduate with perfect grades and am accepted at the finest university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God’s choosing for me,

I have not been educated.

If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of humanities sinfulness and hopelessness without Christ,

I have not been educated.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me,

then, I have been educated!

© First published in 1989 by the Assoc. of Christian Schools International; read on WMBI Radio, Chicago; reprinted numerous times.
Joseph Larson, Campus Pastor
As campus pastor, I want to thank you for choosing FCA. I believe we are living in one of the most exciting times in history, with doors opening on every side to spread the Gospel around the world. But I also know, here, in America, on a daily basis, your young ones are faced with a national, and even generational rising tide of sin and darkness. As you know, drug and alcohol abuse, pornography, even suicide has become commonplace among our teens. Unfortunately, various actors, pop-stars, political pundits, and even some educators have led children down these dark paths. For this reason, we want to thank you for not only choosing FCA, but entrusting us with the responsibility of shaping and molding your children academically and, most importantly, spiritually. We are blessed to dwell in a free land where we have the freedom to instill within our students, not only a quality academic education, but a spiritual one. One that will build core values, in the mind, in the heart and the free-will of your young ones for days and years to come.
When I think about our students, they have their whole lives ahead of them (although we acknowledge no one is guaranteed tomorrow) and by surrendering to Christ, oh what a life of blessing it can be. Am I saying there won’t be any tough day? Not at all! John 16:33 says, “In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer: I overcame the world.” I believe in a balanced Christian life where the changed inner man affects the outer man. God can help a person be a good student, develop character, so they can grow up to be a positive example for Christ in this world in everyday life. In Psalm 18:30, the Bible says, “As for God, HIS way is perfect, the Word of the Lord is tried, HE is a shield to all those who trust in HIM.” I tell the students they will never have to apologize to anyone for going God’s way! Oh how I desire to see young people go God’s way!

I want to be clear and bold when I say that today, the school choice for your children is not a one to be taken lightly. Today, many travel the country looking for better jobs with higher wages while they neglect the greatest, most priceless commodity God has given them: their children. I just want to encourage you as a parent and guardian, to continue placing the spiritual and eternal above the physical and temporal. We believe the best way to do this is to be grounded in God’s Word and to have a personal relationship with the Lord.

Jonathan Steele,
Children’s Pastor

Matthew 19:14 – ”But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”