Anchorage Baptist Temple, Anchorage Christian Schools embrace their diversity

As the new senior pastor of Anchorage Baptist Temple and Anchorage Christian Schools, I am determined to make a lasting impact on the next generation’s lives. I grew up in Seldovia. After losing my parents and many family members, I moved to Anchorage with a single mom who cared enough to send me to ACS. God used ACS to transform my life, a teenager from a small village, by establishing my faith in Jesus Christ. Because of my experience at ACS, I have dedicated my life to offering that opportunity to others.

My story is just one of the many coming out of Anchorage Christian Schools. Over the years, our alumni have gone on to become leaders within their respective communities. From doctors, nurses and engineers to teachers, military officers and firefighters, we are proud of our alumni and their accomplishments. However, I realize that not every student has had the perfect experience at ACS.

Recently, some former students used social platforms to share their experiences while enrolled at ACS. To address each concern directly, I asked anyone who shared to bring their grievances to me directly. Learning from the past gives our new administration the ability to provide an exceptional education in the future.

I am committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that our students do not experience racism at ACS or ABT. The Bible commands us to show NO partiality because Jesus’ death and resurrection provide eternal life for all who repent.

I am committed to providing affordable private education for students and partnering with parents who desire academic excellence in a school experience. As I see what is happening in our community, I am determined more than ever to be on the front lines fighting for the families of Alaska and our children’s futures.

Much like our school, Anchorage Baptist Temple is a diverse community of people from all over Anchorage, Eagle River, and even the Mat-Su area. Many in our community attend weekly services through our bus ministry, the majority being children.

With more than 350 children attending a Sunday morning service, we strive to provide an exceptional experience that allows us to account for every child entering our care. Yes, we feel the weight of responsibility for those children and believe parents deserve the assurance that their child will return home safely and on time.

As we continue to examine our children’s ministry program, discussions around building utilization and classroom expansion have been underway. Any plan must, and will, ensure that children who ride the bus have an exceptional experience and can be accounted for while in our care.

We cannot change the past, but we can change the future. We cannot turn our back on our Anchorage community; it needs us to engage the culture now more than ever. We will not turn a blind eye to hurt and pain; we must be generous with our lives to help the next generation experience the freedoms we have experienced. We are a diverse church and school within a multi-cultural community. Our diversity should not divide us; it should unify us around a calling to proclaim the life-changing power of Jesus.

I want to personally invite you to join us on Sundays at 11 a.m. for our weekend worship experience. As a church, our mission is to inspire the next generation to live like following Jesus is a big deal. It’s important to us that we serve and connect with our local community.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. If you would like more information about ABT, visit www.abt.church.

Ron Hoffman is the senior pastor at Anchorage Baptist Temple and Anchorage Christian Schools.

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