By Jim Brown
A famous Christian author and artist says Christian teachers should have nothing to fear when they enter the public school classroom.
Joni Eareckson Tada, author of more than 30 books and founder of Joni and Friends, an evangelical ministry for the disabled, currently serves as honorary co-chair of the Presidential Prayer Team.
The inspirational spokeswoman is encouraging Christian teachers in America's public schools not to let their fears prevent them from sharing Christ with their students. She believes the biggest obstacle Christian educators face in this highly secularized society is their own sense of intimidation.
“We don't need to have a spirit of fear. We can have confidence that God has placed us in the hallways of public schools to shake His salt, shine His light, and sow His seed in creative and unique ways, during school hours and also after-school hours,” she says.
Tada says Christian educators need to take advantage of opportunities they have before and after classes. Her husband Ken taught for 32 years at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California, and she says his Christian witness influenced many people for the Kingdom. Tada recalls how she and Ken often hosted student barbecues in their backyard in order to strengthen relationships between him and his students.
“There are all kinds of ways that we can cross that barrier of fear or intimidation and be confident, bold ambassadors for the gospel,” Tada says.
Tada's dedication to education and evangelism is exemplified through her tireless involvement in numerous causes. She serves on several boards, including the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the National Institute on Learning Disabilities, and Love and Action. This year the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association presented Tada with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional record of service in Christian ministry over the past few decades.
(This article courtesy of Agape Press).
