An official Core Knowledge school accredited by SACS/CASI

975 Mission Springs | San Antonio, Texas 78258 | 210.402.6905

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6

Board of Trustees

The board

Founder: Dr. Buckner Fanning   Contact

President: Gen. Chuck Carroll   Contact

Treasurer: Steve Diamond

Board members:

  • Brant Bindseil
  • Jake Cherry
  • Troy Eckhardt
  • Jake Gombert
  • Dr. Demetrios Macris
  • Jennifer Morgan
  • Robert Wagner

A conversation about Christian Education
by Chuck Carroll (November 2011)

Some of you may have witnessed my intense passion when I start talking about the virtues of Christian Education at Buckner Fanning Christian School (BFCS). If you have not, then I would like to share with you the reason for this intense passion. First of all, you need to know something about me - my strongest desire for a successful Christian Education for our students is only exceeded by my passion for our great nation. However, in my reality, in respect to the latter sentence, I know my passion for Christian Education and for our great nation cannot be easily differentiated because in my mind a great Christian Education makes possible a great nation. Secondly, the words Christian Education may appear to be two dimensional in our purpose or mission statement, but beneath these two words lays a huge root of history and success based upon truth.

In this conversation, I attempt to describe for you a Christian Education from a perspective based upon observation. I hope this perspective increases your own understanding and passion for what we have at BFCS and perhaps increase your desire for seeking an even greater understanding. But now, please let me provide you with a glimpse into why my passion is so intense. Fortunately, I have observed the outcomes of Christian education in our students for more than three years on our BFCS campus.

During these three years, I observed Kinder children stand, with some understandable hesitancy and in need of some help, in front of all the students and faculty in chapel to say their scripture verse for the week. I have watched these same children, as they move through their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. grades, stand up with a confident posture, holding their heads high, speaking clearly and loudly as they say the verse of the week such as the entire 23rd Psalm without help, or the Pledge to the flag, or sing the “Star Spangled Banner”, or say the Lord’s prayer in English and Spanish. A year ago, I watched with pride as Middle School students stood with courage and effectively communicated to a large adult audience which included the President of Incarnate Word University. Even when our sports teams have been outnumbered in players – which means there is a better chance for the other players to catch their breath before they enter the arena again - I watched our girls and boys play beyond fatigue with an attitude of “we will give our best, we never give up!”. I call that courage, honoring commitments, and giving unselfishly to the team. I watched a 6th grade debate about two cities in ancient Greece: Sparta and Athens. The students were energetic, assertive, confident in their material yet orderly and gracious – all of which to me demonstrate the outcomes of great critical thinking and reasoning skills. In addition, I could clearly see maturing in these students an inner character which includes self-government, industry, orderliness, discipline, self-control in temperament and choices as well as the ability to communicate with persuasion and grace.

My conclusions about the outcomes I have observed are that our students grow each year into individuals who are self-confident and willing to step out front with humility when called upon to lead. More importantly, they are very confident because they know who they are. In my opinion, when our students leave our campus after completing our Christian Education, they will stand with confidence for those things that are right and just, and they will excel in our best colleges with their critical thinking and reasoning skills.

W. N. (Chuck) Carroll, Ph.D.
Major General, USAF (ret)