Called to Reconcile

Reconcile *(verb)*:
“to restore to union and friendship after estrangement or variance… to bring together again; regain; win over again, conciliate… to make consistent with each other in one's mind”
- *Online Etymology Dictionary*
“God … through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”
- 2 Corinthians 5:18, ESV

Reconciliation is not only a topic on many minds this season, but also a theme God has been laying on our hearts here at WCFS during the past year. While our focus has primarily been reconciliation with God and within families, the idea applies to nearly every area of life. Be it working vs resting, Christian living vs living in a fallen world, US culture vs foreign cultures, we need God’s help to reconcile so many opposing ideas, and this year we have been humbled both to watch Him at work and to participate with Him a little in His signature craft of reconciliation.

New HVAC Installed!

This spring, God answered our prayers for the installation of a new HVAC system! We are so thankful to now have dependable and cost-efficient heating and air conditioning. To each of you who contributed prayers or finances toward this project, our deepest thanks.

Mid Year Teacher’s Conference

Our annual Mid Year Teacher’s Conference is a product of double reconciliation in action: both connecting the first and second semesters of the school year, and combining homeschooling with Maryland educational regulations.

This year’s MYTC attendees were treated to a keynote address from Brad and Karen Schott, a long-time WCFS family currently serving the Lord in Cambodia. They navigated the 13-hour time difference and joined us via Zoom to share
about “Thriving Together for the Glory of God”, whether as husband and wife, parents and children, or while ministering to others.

We were also blessed through Becky Wyand’s encouragement to prioritize the things that really matter, including things we might normally overlook, such as the Sabbath, and intentionally resting.

Legislative Day in Annapolis

Our annual ‘Legislative Day’ was well attended this year by WCFS students in both Family Heritage Matters’ Legislative Internship program and the Student Council.

The students were able to sit in on Maryland General Assembly sessions and despite the ongoing construction, they were able to tour parts of the Mayland State Capitol, led by current Frederick and Washington counties delegate, William Valentine.

Family Heritage Expo

Though the weather was drizzly when Expo time rolled around this spring, everybody reconciled themselves to the damp, and we had a fantastic turnout!

A particular highlight was seeing many of the students exploring some of the less-frequented project departments. They not only brought items to display, but also put on puppet shows, held snack and craft sales, gave presentations, and treated us all to a rousing recitation of Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride!”

We had an indoor picnic over at the WCF Fellowship Hall, followed by nautical games! These included interpreting signal flags, eating hard-tack and oranges, and reefing a sail!

Embracing the Future

Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2024 were held at the Wellspring campus on June 1st. Of this year’s 10 graduates, 7 were able to participate in the ceremony.
Here are several excerpts from their testimonies:

“… [I] often find myself explaining to someone who isn’t familiar with homeschooling what it was like, [and] I keep realizing what a unique and impactful experience it was…”

“…God’s been teaching me to trust in my knowledge of Him, rather than my knowledge of His plans…”

“…Some verses that have been very encouraging to me throughout high school are Isaiah 40:28-31… These verses were encouraging to me … because I know that whatever God has for me to do… if I wait on Him, He will be with me and give me strength…”

“…My tenure in Wellspring has been one of transitions. We were moving to not just a new school, but to a new country, a new home, and a new environment. As expected from a teenager, this change terrified me. But I thank God for Wellspring’s flexible learning model and accommodating staff members, for I was still able to study even during these busy periods and dark mental health days. … Most importantly, I would like to thank God for sustaining me with knowledge, rest, and a listening ear to cry to when times got particularly tough. Without Him, none of us would’ve gone this far…”

Becky Wyand encouraged the graduates to stay rooted in the Word, even as she reflected on her high school graduation, 70 years before!

The graduates also received a special message from WCFS dad and guest speaker, David Rathert, on the importance of trusting God, even with an uncertain future. “We live in a world set against God,” he observed. “Jesus said we can expect to be persecuted if we are living faithfully for him. That’s intimidating! BUT, you have the God of the universe on your side, cheering for you, working things out. He’s got your back.”

We are grateful to the families of several of the graduates who pitched in to decorate the WCF Fellowship Hall, provide refreshments, and help make this milestone day a treasured memory for the young people.

Family Leadership Conference

If you guessed that our theme for this year’s conference was “Parenting: A Ministry of Reconciliation” you would be correct! And boy, did the term “ministry” spark all sorts of fun ideas for the event!

As families arrived at Roxbury Holiness Campground, they were quickly introduced to the sunglasses-wearing, earpiece-equipped “Agents of the ‘Family Bureau of Reconciliation” (also known as WCFS Staff).

Naturally, the Thursday evening Camp Welcome and Bible Story time centered around Rahab and the Spies. On Friday morning, families attended a “Secret Agent Briefing” before attempting to complete a “Mission Impossible!” Gary Cox then shared with parents the vision of being “Reconciliation Facilitators” for their families.

On Friday afternoon, each family “task force” who “chose to accept” participated in “Operation: Pierogi”, where they competed to create a coded alphabet out of nature specimens as a communication tool for our agents in the field. Of course, our talented recruits delivered beyond expectations, and the winning task force won a cutting-edge forensics spy kit.

All that hard work created hearty appetites, which were heartily satisfied at Friday’s sponsored lunch and supper, and Saturday’s Student Council Sub Sale lunch and picnic dinner. May thanks to the FBR Agents and volunteers for their hard work in the “mess hall!”

Saturday featured continuations of Friday’s Mission Impossible and Reconciliation Facilitator sessions, plus a WCFS Agent Briefing, the annual Ladies’ Tea, and a bunch of awesome field games!

We also had a first-class Children’s Program during the conference organized and overseen by WCFS alumni and students.
God answered our many prayers for good weather, and especially answered our prayers for peace and protection during the conference. Both our preparation beforehand and our time there were distinctly worry-and-accident-free, and we are so grateful.

WCFS Student Council

Under the leadership of President Lyte Shell, the WCFS High School Student Council of 2023-24 had a busy and profitable year.

Their activities included: a Christmas jam and jelly sale, a hike and tour of historic Harpers Ferry (guided by historian and longtime friend of WCFS, Bernie Beall), the construction of a Gaga Ball pit on the WCFS campus, and a day at the Museum of the Bible, again guided by Mr. Beall!

All the Council activities allowed for lots of good fun and fellowship, and taught them much regarding the finer points of reconciling so many different schedules!

Field Trips

They went bowling at the Walkersville Bowling Alley, toured the history and scenery of Old Ellicott City, explored the local Ft. Ritchie History Museum, hiked the trails at Gambrill State Park, and discovered the art along the Public Art Trail in downtown Frederick!

The last fall field trip is still to come: students will get to tour the Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum in Dulles, Virginia!

Workshops

From microwaving soap, to building cardboard and toothpick bridges, to studying sound waves, Donna Fleharty’s STEM activities for the junior high and high school students are always a highlight of our Workshops!

Gary is continuing the FLC theme of “Parents as Agents of Reconciliation’”for this season’s workshops. We are also delighted to have Becky Wyand hosting the moms’ discussion sessions via Zoom!

The Student Council has elected a new body of officers and is eager to embark on another season of fundraising and class trips, and building up the WCFS student community in Christ.

The elementary students are learning about Big Little Projects in the Bible (including the Tabernacle!)

Global Agents of Reconciliation

This year Wellspring welcomed six new families who enrolled directly with us, as well as hundreds more who enrolled through our affiliates.

Through Kingdom Citizen Homeschool in the UAE, Homeschool Global in the Philippines and Middle East, and Joshua International Academy in Korea, we are thrilled to be serving nearly 1,100 students globally!

The kingdom of God is advancing, and what a joy to be a part of educating the next generation of ambassadors!

Staff Updates

Gary has now completed both knee replacement surgeries, and the subsequent physical therapy. He has regained full mobility in both legs! Our deepest thanks to each of you for your love and prayers during his recovery.

Joel and Mikaela Fischer welcomed their fifth child, a daughter, Sophie, in time for Thanksgiving 2023!

Our newest team member, our bookkeeper, Marie Greenbank, continues to be a tremendous blessing, not least due to her assistance in our switch from paper time sheets to digital time clocks.

At this year’s graduation, we were able to honor our good friend Susan Davis, who is retiring after 10 years as administrator for our local affiliate, Westminster Christian Family Schools. Susie has been an invaluable partner in Christian education that has blessed a host of families and students over her many years serving the homeschooling community.

Our Ignitia accounts specialist, Miriam Shell, was married this June, and is now Miriam Benkendorf. She has become our first true remotely-employed staff member.

Supporting and Expanding

In March, a number of WCFS men were blessed to attend the Stand Courageous Men's Conference, a ministry of the Family Research Council.
They were encouraged or prioritize God’s Word, speak words of encouragement to their families, find healthy accountability, and stand firm in a culture that has lost its way.

In June, Gary and Joel attended VELA Con2024, a “national convening of the leading network of founders delivering alternatives to conventional schooling.” Connecting with so many groups and individuals who, like WCFS, are seeking to reconcile their state’s educational regulations with alternative education models provided Gary and Joel with tremendous encouragement. It gave inspiration for the future of WCFS, and a greater appreciation and clarity for the singular mission of WCFS to offer parent-directed, home-based, credentialed, Christian education!

It is possible that God will soon expand our ministry even farther. Gary has been meeting with a number of pastors and educators about becoming affiliate schools through our affiliate license program (H.E.L.P.) Additionally, Gary will be attending a national conference in December in Missouri focused exclusively on providing affordable, Christian education to families across the country. We are looking forward to seeing where God is leading!

WCFS on the Air

We were thrilled to have WCFS Alumni dad and occasional guest speaker, Jay Auxt, host a Creation-themed series of talks this spring and summer on our Family By Design radio program. The series met with an excellent reception, and we look forward to offering similar programs in the future.

God is expanding WCFS’ radio presence. This month we began advertising on The Plumb Line, a nationally syndicated radio program hosted by a Christian homeschooling father from Iowa, Jay Rudolph. The show discusses cultural topics and issues from a Biblical worldview. It will be airing in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area on WAVA’s 780 AM and 96.7 FM statins. Gary will also be appearing on the show this month as a guest!

Reconciling, to Himself

As we reflect with thankfulness on the year that has past, and all of God’s blessings in it, we look forward with hope to the work He has prepared for us in the year to come. We are reminded that our foremost calling is service to Christ.

It is our abiding honor to serve hundreds of children and parents around the world as an institution through which they can combine legal requirements with Christian education. It is our solemn privilege to minister to families as Biblical counselors in their times of need. And it is our constant delight to facilitate connection and fellowship between like-minded families all over the country as hosts of many events.

But most of all, it is our joyful duty to serve God in social, civic, and spiritual circles as ambassadors for Christ, bearing His message of reconciliation between the world and Himself!

“In Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.”

- 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, ESV

2024: A Year of Reconciliation