The Journey: PCA Parent Podcast

The Value of Minimester to the PCA Community

Guests: Dr. Chad Nichols, US Principal, Plano campus and Mr. Greg Wright, US Principal, North campus

You can also watch this episode on the PrestonwoodChristian YouTube channel.

PCA’s Minimester is an extension of the PCA classroom and enhances the mission of PCA giving students an opportunity to grow in their Biblical worldview by embracing Biblical truth, striving for academic excellence, and modeling Christlike leadership to influence their homes, churches, and communities for Christ! The entire PCA community has been blessed in so many ways over the years because of the experiences that students and faculty have encountered during Minimester and we are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity again for PCA students both at the North and Plano campuses.

 

Minimester offerings for the North campus Upper School students include the following:

• Local - Celina and South Dallas
• Domestic - Kentucky, Colorado Springs, and South Florida
• International - England

 

Minimester offerings for the Plano campus Upper School students include the following:

• Local - Local Missions, Parent Led Missions, Parent Led College Visits, Internships
• Domestic - Puerto Rico, Abilene, Boston, Navajo Reservation in NM, NYC, OKC, Las Vegas, and Denver
• International - Amazon, Uganda, Costa Rica, France, DR (basketball teams), Germany, 
• Mexico (girls only), Greece, Romania, and Cuba

 

The students and faculty at PCA covet your prayers and support for the Minimester program and opportunities.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Plugging In So Your Family Can Shine Brightly for the Kingdom!

Guests: Dr. Jason Snyder, Discipleship Pastor, and Jason Mick, NextGen Minister, Prestonwood Baptist Church

To watch this episode, check out the PrestonwoodChristian YouTube channel.

Why is going to church essential in the life of a disciple of Christ?

• The church resources and equips Christ-followers to grow in their personal faith journeys
• The church gives the opportunity for believers to serve and minister to the needs of the body of Christ - don’t rob someone of the blessing that God has given you!
• The church gives us the opportunity to model for our children that we value Christ - your kids need to see you as you worship, as you study the Word of God, as you listen to corporate teaching/preaching - James reminds us that faith without works is dead!

 

Men, we need to “model the mission” and lead by example!

 

What is expected of a member?

1. Be in worship - we are instructed to gather together as the body of Christ. Bring your worship with you!
2. Be involved in community - don’t journey in isolation, get plugged in to a LifeGroup
3. Be available to serve the church and the community through the life of the church!

 

Text the word “Serve” to either 74788 for the Plano Campus or 55125 for the North Campus

 

Compare your “screen time” to the time that you spend serving the Lord, ministering to others, investing in your own spiritual growth and maturity!

 

Text the word “Groups” to 74788 (Plano) or 55125 (North) to find out about various LifeGroups that exist for you to connect with!

 

Wednesday evenings are filled with incredible opportunities for discipleship training - Crew, Hype, AWANA (Plano), JHigh Midweek, High School Midweek for students and several different offerings for adults, including several LifeGroups that meet Wednesday evenings. Check out HERE what is being offered for adults at the Plano and North campuses.

 

Women’s Ministry under the leadership of Tasha Calvert is starting a study of Nehemiah this fall on both campuses - click here to find out more. Tasha also leads the women’s ministry’s podcast called Digging In with Tasha Calvert. Bible study is not a class we take, but a rhythm that we keep!

 

Also check out the Friday Morning Men’s Bible study at both the Plano and North campuses.

 

On Sunday mornings, all three campuses - Plano, North, and Espanol - are teaching the Distinctives of a Disciple - the basics of walking out the life of a follower of Jesus!

 

Resources from Prestonwood called HomeLife are available for you as parents as well - check them out!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Cultivating Spiritual Fruit in the Lives of PCA Students

Guests: Maria Bower, Director of Spiritual Development for PCA Plano and Josiah Isom, Director of Spiritual Development for PCA North

 

The Plano Spiritual Development Team is led by Maria Bower and includes Coach Stephen Bryant and Courtney Caldwell. The North Spiritual Development Team is led by Josiah Isom and Megan Gover was recently added to the team as well. The Spiritual Development teams are responsible for all things related to the spiritual training of PCA students including retreats, chapels, and some upcoming parent panels at both the North and Plano campuses be looking for more information on these parent panels coming soon!

Parents, don’t forget to take a minute to provide some helpful feedback about the podcast here.

Also, reminder that The Journey podcast is now on the @PrestonwoodChristian YouTube Channel - you can listen AND watch each episode!

Parents please encourage your students to take their Bibles to chapel - and be engaged, set their hearts to be receptive to what the Lord is telling them!

Final word of encouragement - parents please be praying for Maria Bower and Josiah Isom and their respective teams at both PCA campuses!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Leadership Begins with the Heart!

Guests: Dr. Shannon Cole and Dr. Clarence Williams

 

Just a quick celebration - this is our 100th episode of The Journey - thanks for listening and for all those who made this podcast possible!!! And, reminder that you can listen, subscribe and rate the podcast!

 

Dr. Cole is an individual who loves the Lord, loves learning…and loves life! While serving as Head of School for the PCA Plano campus, she will continue working with her curriculum team that serves as an umbrella for all learning at both campuses.

 

Dr. Williams is an individual of highest integrity and competency as an educational leader - an “awesome administrator and a man of integrity.” He is also a man of faithful prayer and devotion to the Lord.

 

The Journey PCA Parent Podcast Feedback - if you would like to share your thoughts on past and recommendations for future podcasts, please check out this form - or to leave some parent feedback that administration will consider.

 

Civility Clause - parents, there is a new process being implemented to help further Kingdom-minded communication between parents and PCA faculty and administration. The desire is to make sure that not only are issues and situations aired and addressed, but also that all communications are conducted in a Christ-centered manner, treating others as you desire to be treated, honoring another in brotherly love.

 

MAP - Measure of Academic Progress. PCA utilizes the MAP testing at several times and stages during the year to make adjustments to the material they are teaching to ensure the greatest competency of their students. MAP scores are sent to parents for their evaluation as well.

 

Dr. Cole - PCA last year had 4 National Merit Scholars, which is significantly higher as a percentage of student population as compared to other schools in the area, both private and public. And PCA students scored at least a 3 on AP tests given at a rate of over 90%, which is very high.

 

Dr. Williams - we’re not just preparing students to get into college, we’re preparing students to be successful once they get there. And we have missed the mark at PCA if we’re only preparing students academically; that’s why Bible is a core content and a subject for PCA students. We are preparing students to be successful in life, and you can’t do that outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ and knowing His Word for your life!

 

PCA North is celebrating their 10th year! Starting with 52 students, PCA North now has over 600 students and just had their first graduating class in 2023!

 

Faculty Senate Council and a student-led council to offer feedback are things coming soon!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Dr. Mike Goddard ”Be the Light” 2023-24 Theme

Guest: Dr. Mike Goddard, Superintendent, Prestonwood System of Schools

 

Be the Light

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

 

Dan’s new role at PCA is now the Director of Parent Engagement & Ministry - we’ll be discovering more about this in upcoming podcasts!

 

Two Things to Consider from This Year’s Theme:

1. God wants us to shine brightly for Him! How are you doing as a reflection of God’s glory to a dark and dying world?
2. Light exposes what is in the darkness - in the world and in my own heart and life!

 

Dr. Goddard - the Word of God is our “lightsaber”!

 

Dr. Goddard - we need more than a “firework” faith that shines brightly…then fades away quickly. We need to develop a sustaining faith that burns brightly by the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

Parents, you need to be plugged into the Word of God with the people of God (church) so that you can grow into the men and women of God! And what you have been given freely (God’s grace), give to others freely!

 

Parents, check out this and future episodes of The Journey on PCA’s YouTube channel as well. Please share this podcast and the YouTube video with your friends - it’s a great marketing tool for PCA and an excellent equipping opportunity from a Biblical worldview for others!

 

Dr. Goddard - prayer life has changed from “Lord let them have a great day” to “Lord, as we face adversity, let us bring glory to you.” Lean into the difficult and not on your own understanding…but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

SAGE Dining with Chef Shaun

Guest: Chef Shaun Vaughn, SAGE Dining

 

Learn more about SAGE Dining Services on their website - and make sure you download the Touch of SAGE app.

 

Chef Shaun has been serving the PCA community through SAGE Dining Services for the past 6 years - he and his team provide incredible meals, soups, salads, drinks, and desserts for our students and staff at the Plano campus and hopefully will be providing the same level of service and excellence at the North campus soon!

 

Please encourage your students to TRY the wide variety of incredible offerings - including their awesome fruits and vegetables! Also, please remind your students that we are all stewards of the resources that God has entrusted to us - take what you can eat, be reasonable and fair with what you take (careful with all those desserts!), and make sure you clean up after yourself by throwing away disposable items and placing plates, cups, and silverware in the appropriate locations to be washed. It is an incredible privilege to share a good meal with good friends, a privilege that we need to remind our students about their responsibilities.

 

Parents, just as there are several ways to voice your concerns or desires to SAGE about various menu items, there are also opportunities to bless the SAGE employees for the great work they do day in and day out! Take a moment and write a note to the various SAGE employees, toss in a gift card, stop by and eat with your students and greet the SAGE dining staff in person - remember, you’ve been blessed to be a blessing!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Hold On to Your Kids (Episode 3 of 3)

Guests: Katie McDonald, Julie Hildebrand, and Gabe Boyd

 

The book we all read is titled Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers written by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., and Gabor Mate, M.D. This is NOT a recommendation of this book, but an in-depth exploration of the concepts of “attachment” parenting that are raised and an exploration of the idea that youth need to be more connected to their parents than to their peers.

 

The “family dinner” is one of the strategies for building a meaningful relationship and connection between parents and children - don’t take this important concept for granted.

 

Bedtime routines can also be tremendously valuable in establishing and maintaining a meaningful connection with your child.

 

“It takes a saint to not be alienated, but with our peer-oriented children, sainthood may be what we are called to. If that seems unnatural, it’s because it is unnatural” (HOTYK). Establishing a meaningful relationship with your kids isn’t just UNnatural, it’s SUPERnatural!!!

 

John 17 parenting - as Jesus prayed and let his disciples hear how he spoke to his Father about them, we need to let our children hear us pray for them, about them, with them…so they can hear what we think about them!

 

Parents, be careful of “sleepovers” with friends - your children can learn a lot of bad things at homes and with “friends” who are not on the same page as you are!

 

Parents, understand the incredible impact that other voices can have on the lives of your children - coaches, teachers, pastors, etc…and if you’re one of those individuals, make sure you take that responsibility seriously to speak life into those around you!

 

Parents, our primary responsibility is to raise our children so that they are connected to and find their identity in Christ! If you’re connected to Christ and His larger story for your life, you’ll want to share that with your kids…and your kids will want to be a part of something bigger than themselves!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Hold On to Your Kids (Episode 2 of 3)

Guests: Katie McDonald, Julie Hildebrand, and Gabe Boyd

 

The book we all read is titled Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers written by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., and Gabor Mate, M.D. This is NOT a recommendation of this book, but an in-depth exploration of the concepts of “attachment” parenting that are raised and an exploration of the idea that youth need to be more connected to their parents than to their peers.

 

What are the dangers of a child being attached to peers more than to their parents? Whomever a child is most attached to will have the greatest impact on their lives.

 

Peers are not accountable for their impact on your children - you, as parents, are! “When peers replace parents as the dominant attachment figures, they become our child’s models without, of course, assuming any responsibility for the end result” (HOTYK).

 

“Sex becomes an instrument of peer attachment. They are using sex with their peers to try to satisfy their hunger for connection and for affection” (HOTYK). The book is honest about the power of sex to connect two individuals - and the pain that comes with separation when that relationship or activity ends.

 

Bullying wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the child is more concerned with what his father (in our case, our Heavenly Father) thinks of us!

 

When you lose your attachment with your children, they’ll go and attach and listen to someone else. Getting that attachment relationship back with your children will take time and significant effort.

As parents, do we “over schedule” our children? Attachment isn’t proximity, it’s intentional investment into the lives of our children.

 

“Children don’t need friends, they need parents, grandparents, adults who will assume the responsibility to hold on to them” (HOTYK).

 

A “friend” is someone who has your best interest in mind - who is willing to speak truth into your life and make whatever sacrifice is necessary to help you be the best version of yourself. Your children need friends like this and so do you!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Hold On to Your Kids (Episode 1 of 3)

Guests: Katie McDonald, Julie Hildebrand, and Gabe Boyd

 

The book we all read is titled Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers written by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., and Gabor Mate, M.D. This is NOT a recommendation of this book, but an in-depth exploration of the concepts of “attachment” parenting that are raised and an exploration of the idea that youth need to be more connected to their parents than to their peers.

 

“Attachment” parenting addresses the importance of the relationship between parents and their children as well as children and other things, especially the connection of children with their peers.

 

Parents who are looking to foster and encourage peer relationships might need to reconsider the importance of these relationships - the MOST important relationship/connection that your children need to have secure is the relationship with you as their parent!

 

Parents, we should want our children to “attach” to us IF we are attached to Christ - as Paul said, Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

 

Josh McDowell, “Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.” When a child is acting unruly, these behavioral issues are really, at their core, relationship issues.

 

Benefit of having your children at PCA is that your child should have multiple attachments of like-minded, Christ-centered people in their lives!

 

The secret of parenting is not what the parent does, but who the parent is, in the life of a child - that’s a very profound point in this book!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Dismantling Transgender Ideology (2 of 2 episodes)

Guest: Alycia Wood, apologist with The C.S. Lewis Society

 

The C.S. Lewis Society was organized by Princeton University students in 1975, as a guest-speaker forum for the campus community to hear Christian scholars articulate a biblical perspective on topics of wide public concern.  After years of fruitful ministry, the Society was re-launched on the campus of Trinity College of Florida in 1988 as a fellowship of those committed to explaining and defending the Christian faith internationally. Our outreach has focused especially on university campuses and nations that are dominated by skeptical attitudes toward the core truths of Christianity.

 

What is a Woman? documentary by Matt Walsh - so many people ask Matt, “Why do you even care?” Alycia replies:

1. We should, as Christians, grieve with those who grieve, care about those who are hurting and need help.
2. The Western mindset is very individualistic…but the Eastern mindset includes the sense that what you do affects your family and the entire community! When others struggle with gender dysphoria and make decisions to transition, their decision does affect others - including you and me! God has designed us for community and we each have a responsibility to help others to the best of our ability - to speak truth in love is an important part of that responsibility.

 

Parents, consider these things if your son or daughter is talking about gender dysphoria:

1. You are the parent, don’t just let their “feelings” override the facts about their God-designed sexuality - dig into the issues they are facing, ask questions.
2. Social media can be filled with destructive voices that fill the minds of young people with lies and deception - help your children learn to tune out false narratives and discern truth from fiction.
3. Build your “support” group of like-minded, Christ-centered folks to do life with. For parents whose children are dealing with transgender ideology, Alycia recommends a group called 4thWaveNow (a community of people who question the medicalization of gender-atypical youth) for a challenging perspective.
4. Get professional help for your child - someone who is actually going to deal with the mental health aspects, not just transition your children from their current gender to another!

 

Alycia recommends that you watch this powerful and very disturbing video from destransitioner Chloe Cole on the devastating effects of transgender surgery.

 

Alycia also recommends that you watch this video of Jordan Peterson speaking with detransitioner Chloe Cole about the harmful effects of transgender ideology.

 

1. You may have to switch schools (if you’re not at PCA) or friend groups, etc. The “social contagion” aspect of this is real - change the environment and the narrative in which your child is swimming.

Why I no longer use transgender pronouns - and why you shouldn’t either - by Rosaria Butterfield - Article and Video

 

Alycia recommends Jordan Peterson’s video interview of Miriam Grossman, M.D. called Parental Trauma in a World of Gender Insanity.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Dr. Carl Trueman (or the shorter version of the same material: Strange New World).

 

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!