Fifteen years ago, our eldest child turned four. Matters theoretical were now an urgent reality. How would he and the rest of our children be educated? Could we abandon our covenant offspring in a system at odds with Christ, and still expect His blessing? But if not, where could we turn? Graciously, the Lord answered prayer, and we became aware of a small Christian school recently opened in Newtownabbey, about 13 miles from our home in Larne. He started there, and five more of our children followed.

The school operates under the auspices of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, although attendance is open to those of other denominations. We feel an enormous debt of gratitude to them for their work in promoting Christian education, and in particular to Rev. Foster who pioneered the first school in Kilskerry some 20 years ago. The schools are built on congregational property and sometimes utilize existing church buildings. They are controlled by a school board, comprised of church officers. Together, there are seven of these schools operating in the province. The number of pupils varies from approximately 25-80 in each school. The number of teachers varies accordingly. In Newtownabbey there are two full-teachers and three part-time, working with 30 pupils. Though fully qualified, they can be paid but a fraction of what they could earn in the state sector. Their lives are ones of dedication to God, and devotion to the future of His Church. They are the unsung heroes of the church-world, sharing the commitment and sacrifice of a minister or missionary, but often lacking the recognition these receive. At first, teachers were those who had been working in the state sector and had came out to support Christian education. A programme of teacher training has now been established where trainee teachers combine practical experience as they complete their academic teaching qualifications.

The schools receive no financial support from the government, and rely on themselves to raise the funds. In addition to fees, income is generated by gifts; craft sales, sponsored walks, book sales, etc. These can also promote awareness of the school.

Fees are the most obvious burden on any parent, and although these are kept as low as possible, we still face a £2650 bill each year for our four children currently being educated a large commitment, however, is the time and money that transport involves. For some years Newtownabbey was unable to offer G.C.S.E's, so three of our children completed them at the next nearest Christian School in Bangor, some 32 miles away. This has involved some early mornings and train journeys (not always so very reliable! ). In the middle of slow traffic queues, questions naturally arise. What about the Grammar school half a mile from home? Is Christian education really worth the cost? Emphatically, yes! In our experience, we have felt many benefits from a Christian education, and even some of the weaknesses can be turned to advantage. For example, small classes mean that children are able to receive more personal attention from teachers.

A commitment to Biblical discipline creates a good learning atmosphere, and combined with Christian love, largely removes any problems of bullying or classroom violence. When such a situation is achieved, corporal discipline is seldom administered, and is effective merely as a deterrent. Within such a setting, ‘peer pressure' can become a positive thing, and this must be one of the most important advantages of a Christian education, especially when we remember that is it at this age that children are most susceptible to the behavior of those around them.

Education is Christ-centred, and not just the daily acts of worship and instruction. All subjects are taught from a scriptural position, "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5). One of the problems with a non-Christian education is not just what is taught, but what is not. Schools have an avowed aim of turning-out responsible, rounded citizens capable of carrying out their duties in society. If an education aiming at such ignores God, it teaches with a deafening silence that God is at best irrelevant or at worst an impediment to the needs of the individual or society.

The education that your child receives from you is the most important thing you can ever give them. It will be with them for the rest af their lives, shaping their personalities, their behavior, their families, and those around them, far good or bad A familiar lament in the church today is over the departure of young people from Christianity. This is a fatal disease, but it is not necessarily a terminal one. It occurs repeatedly in Scripture - "and there arose another generation which knew not the LORD" (Judges 2:10). The remedy does not lie in contemporary worship, or in diluting the ethical demands of God. It lies in Christian education. That is the Biblical answer, and that is the one answer that many Christians today refuse to countenance. We happily spend countless hours and large amounts of money so that children of the unconverted might receive a few hours of Bible instruction a week, and such zeal is commendable. Yet all the while we send our own children to receive a non-Christian education among unbelievers for 30 hours a week And we wonder that we are losing the recruiting war! Or we happily preach the need for separation from ungodly entertainment and apostate denominations, but contentedly allow the lambs of the church to mix with wolves!

The problem is largely, I feel, one of ignorance. Look at the millions spent campaigning against the repeal of Section 28, particularly in Scotland. Imagine if the same resources and commitment were available for genuine Christian education People must realise that the solution is not plugging the holes of the sinking enemy battleship, but constructing their own. Ministers must teach it in preaching and example, and if they do not know, must themselves be taught. Changing minds does not occur overnight, and demands patience and prayer. Yet we know that God honours those who honour them, and there is no greater joy for parents than to see their children walk in the ways of the Lord and be equipped for a life of useful service to their King in the world.