Stories and photos by Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (Mich.)-As young student clung to their parents, Principal Adam Sterenberg strummed on his guitar upbeat Christian songs. This was the welcome of the more than two dozen students into the Tree of Life Christian School. Sterenberg opened the school this fall as an opportunity to bring quality Christian education into the inner city.
Sterenberg attended Christians schools his entire life. When he graduated from Kalamazoo Christian in 1990 he went on to pursue a career in architecture. However, during his freshman year he said doors were closing on his opportunities and he didn’t understand why.
When he prayed to God for guidance, he received the answer; while not one he expected or even accepted at first.
“God told me to become a teacher,” he laughed. “I had friends studying education and I thought it would be the biggest waste of my time and talent. But God knows us better than we know ourselves. When I switched my major and began studying, immediately I said, ‘this is what I’ve been wanting for.’”
He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1994 with a degree in education and went on to teach for Kalamazoo Christian Schools. He then went on to receive a Masters of Education from Dort Christian College in Iowa.
However, seven years ago he said he received a nudging from God to start a Christian school in the inner city. As a resident of the south side of Kalamazoo, and member of VanGuard Ministries in that Edison neighborhood he was led to begin there.
This fall, his vision became a reality. Tree of Life School opened on Sept. 8, on the second floor of the former St. Joseph Catholic School behind church located at 936 Lake St. Its motto, “Renewing young minds, transforming young lives,” is posted on its moving billboard, an olive-green four-door car.
The two classes (K-1 and 2-3 grades) has two Michigan certified teachers recruited through Christian Schools International.
While they have no substantial funding , he said they are operating totally by faith and hope to bring the students and funds needed through their evangelical and fundraising efforts. Of the $120,000 budget they need for the year, donations have helped bring in more than $20,000.
“We are truly a Christian-based school and mission oriented and will work much like missionaries, as funds to support the school are raised.”
As a Christian school under the umbrella of VanGuard Ministries they will charge five percent of a family’s income as tuition and can be paid monthly or as agreed.
To recruit students, volunteers walked the neighborhood asking parents to consider a Christian-based education in their own neighborhood. One parent said she only receives $600 a month from Social Security income, however will pay the five percent necessary to give her child a Christian-based beginning to his education.
Sterenberg said he is relying on the Christian community to support Christian education. In the years since God gave him the vision to begin a school, he said that alone has been a learning experience. The support of VanGuard Ministries is one he said has been priceless as many members are educators.
Tree of Life will be located above Head Start classes which lease the lower floor of the former St. Joseph Catholic School building. Students will have access to the gym and playground areas which will help provide them a more well-rounded educational experience.
“I quit my job as a teacher last year to truly devote my time and energy to making this happen. I’ve never done anything like this before and it took a lot to get to this point. I know once people see what we do and where our hearts are, they will support. We’re thankful to God for what’s he’s done so far and that’s affirming.”
Positions for students are still available. For more information regarding the school or to donate to its efforts, call 269-718-7428, or visit: www.tolschool.org
