Message from the President:  Every Gift Did Count!

Dear Partners in Ministry:

I have been writing all along that every gift would count when it came to reaching our goal of fully funding our new classroom and gymnasium building. It turned out to be truer than even I expected.

The goal was always to have the new building fully funded by the close of the Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign on June 30, 2005. In early May, we took a close look at remaining expenses and all our resources.  We found that we were $53,000 away from fully funding the building. With only two months to go, the amount seemed beyond the reach of available resources. We continued to contact our friends, and they responded. When the final tally was made for June 30, we reached the goal, almost to the dollar! The next day at lunch, the staff, students and a visiting work team stood and sang, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all people here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!” It was indeed a day of rejoicing. (Pages 4 and 5 report on the success of Advancing the Vision.)

Have you ever been so close to something so incredible that you have to remind yourself of the magnitude of the event – it becomes so much a part of your every day that it becomes routine? Knowing that this can happen, I kept track of the progress throughout the Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign so I would always remember. Then, in the final two months of the campaign, I documented the gifts and pledges that arrived and the dates they came in. I am so glad I did because I always want to remember what you as supporters did for the Oakdale ministry and the determined spirit of giving you had at this important juncture and throughout the campaign.

The news here only gets better. Enrollment is projected to be in the 50s as we begin the fall semester. Last year we had a record number of boarding students, with a total enrollment of 52 students, and we anticipate another all-time high this year.

As we move forward, we must act to meet urgent needs that come with growth. With our enrollment up 25 percent over the past two years, we are at capacity. Without more dormitory space, there will be students who need to attend but cannot. We have a plan – already underway – to meet this need. Our plan is to provide student housing and staff housing by accomplishing one simple project.

Let me explain. We have been using space in Anderson Hall for staff housing, although it is configured for student housing. By building a staff duplex, we can use Anderson Hall for dormitory space and provide adequate housing for our staff. While our long-range plan is to build a new girls’ dormitory, this presents us with a wonderful interim opportunity for growth. (See page 3 for more information on this project.)

As we meet the housing needs of our talented, gifted, and dedicated staff who are making Oakdale a great experience for our students, and expand space to serve students who are hoping to attend, Oakdale will be taking a major step forward!

I hope you will help in the following ways: 1) join with me in funding this staff duplex so we can add dormitory space; and 2) begin thinking about how you can help us fund a new girls’ dormitory. Plans are already in development!

These are exciting days at Oakdale Christian Academy. What a privilege to be part of it! Thank you for adding to our resources through your prayers and support! Please continue to make Oakdale Christian Academy the best Christian boarding school of its kind.

Daniel B. Fisher
President