By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Veteran author Curt Iles, who has penned 13 books, has begun writing his latest chapter in his book of life as principal of Alpine Christian School.
Iles, a Louisiana College graduate who started Jan. 7 at the school operated by Alpine First Baptist Church, hopes his new role will allow him to lock arms with faculty and Pastor John Willie as they shape the next generation of Christian leaders. The school, which boasts an enrollment of 100 students, pre-k through 8th grade, offers general education classes, but also Bible lessons combined with Gospel presentations and dedicated prayer times.
“We are preparing kids for life after they leave here,” Iles told the Baptist Message. “Our faculty is training them not just to learn important academic skills but also to grow spiritually, socially and mentally. Everything we do starts with the Gospel and we hope by the time they leave here our students will have the rock solid Christian foundation needed to make a difference in today’s culture.”
Iles, who spent 14 years as an educator at East Beauregard High School in DeRidder, another 14 years as director of Dry Creek Baptist Camp in Dry Creek and three years as a missionary alongside his wife, DeeDee, in Uganda with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, believes his prior experience has prepared him for his latest task.
“I’m sure that this new season will be full of both opportunities and challenges,” Iles said. “Our vision is to provide the best education possible at Alpine Christian School.”
Willie said Iles gives the school a valuable asset.
“We are the only private Christian school north of the Red River, what makes ACS unique is that, while we don’t have some of the resources a public school has, we are able to integrate both faith and learning to instruct our children within the framework of Scripture,” Willie said. “Someone with Curt Ile’s experience will help position us even better than before not only to increase our enrollment and also to prepare our students for life beyond Alpine Christian School to be image bearers of Christ.”
Not only do they hope to draw in more students, but Iles and Willie would like to raise money to fund scholarships and technology improvements.
Enrollment for Alpine Christian School is open through May. For more information, call 318.640.3804.
