Emily Barlow

For eight years, I ministered as a high school teacher at Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center. I taught three different levels of high school English; directed two plays each year; mentored young women; and served as a youth leader at weekly Bible studies, retreats, and camp. My time in the classroom was a wonderful, stretching experience that God used to bring me to my next step of obedience.

I now serve at SCCLC as principal for grades seven through 12. Although I still try to direct at least one semester of drama each year, my focus has shifted from primarily guiding and equipping students in my classroom. My new focus is to empower and equip other teachers to guide their students and to support those teachers who are already excelling.

Serving at a missionary school is one of the most challenging and fulfilling roles I will ever undertake. Every day I come across a variety of personalities, opinions, and personal beliefs. I meet students who love Jesus, students who are sick of hearing about Him, and students who fall everywhere in between. I’m challenged in my own walk so I can be salt and light to each of them. To those who love Jesus, I pray my faith encourages them to love Him more and to be hungrier for Him. To those who don’t understand Jesus’ salvation and lordship, I pray that my love for Him awakens an ache in their own souls to belong to Christ and be called by His name.

Pray with me that God will use my willingness to live for Him, that He will increase my own love and obedience to Him, and that I will be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to everyone He brings to me.