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Encouragement from an Educator in Ann Arbor
Fri., Feb. 23. 2018 12:17pm EST
In ApologetiX, our mission statement is to "reach the lost and teach the rest," so it's always special when we hear from teachers who are ApX fans. Here are some excerpts from an extra-special email ApologetiX lead singer J. Jackson received last weekend from a teacher in Michigan:I don't know if you would remember me or not, but I first contacted you some 20 years or so ago, when I was part of Plymouth Christian Academy in Michigan. I discovered you and the band on the Internet and I fell in love with your ministry and all you stand for.
I contacted you to feature you as a "Character Warrior of the Month" and asked you to write a letter to our students telling them what you wish you knew when you were their age. In typical J. fashion, you not only wrote the letter, but you sent along a ton of CD's and other memorabilia that we were able to bless the students with as we promoted Jesus through the amazing ministry He has trusted you with.
Fast forward a few years and I find myself on staff at Washtenaw Christian Academy in Saline MI. During my time there, we were able to host a couple of ApologetiX concerts, and these will never be forgotten. I have a son named Tommy who was in high school then and he was part of the tech team that helped you guys out. He has always been a drummer and being able to be part of the set up and tear down and meet Jimmy, your drummer, was a major influence on his life.
Tommy has graduated college, gotten married and is on staff at a new church plant as their drummer, but he is also in charge of their creative arts team. I hope you realize that every time you guys play a concert, you leave so many Kingdom ripples that you will never know about this side of Heaven.
Fast forward a few more years and I find myself leaving Washtenaw Christian Academy as I hear God whispering to me to start a new kind of Christian school. One that "Confidently Disregards the Status Quo". That was five years ago and we are having an amazing time with this school called Life Learning Community in Ann Arbor MI that we started from scratch. There is such a need for what we are doing in this area. We are the only K-12 Christian school in Ann Arbor and one of only two in the entire county.
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your tenacity and your amazing faith, but also wanted to thank you for sharing your musical talent. It seems like every single you release just keeps getting better. Thanks for taking that step of faith you did so many years ago to pursue the vision God put on your heart. Please stay strong, stay focused, keep loving the Lord and your family and know that you are getting prayed for on a regular basis from this guy in Ann Arbor, who loves Jesus, Christian education, and ApologetiX!
John Zylka
Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer
Life Learning Community
Ann Arbor MI
P.S. - Recently, in a social setting, someone asked the question if you had to choose one band to have all their music with you as you are stranded on a desert island, what would it be? People were really having a hard time with this, but for me that answer came in an instant - Apologetix. You guys cover so many amazing bands and do it with such excellence. All this and the word of God to boot. Editor's Note: Wow! We are so honored! Thank you, John. And thank you, Jesus!
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