Looking back at the time their kids spent at a Christian college, these Sterling parents shared many stories and reasons why the benefits outweighed the costs.

1. A place to find true friends "I think a Christian education has been a wonderful investment for Abbey. She's been positive about the friendships she's made. They help each other out, and are like a family to her when she's away from home."
   
   —Sherry Hamm
2. Challenging Bible classes "Tyler has spent all of his life in the church, but when he got to Sterling he still found their required Bible classes challenging. He had to read every book of the Bible and write a synopsis for each. I think that stretched him. Classes like those really made him think, and required him to go beyond what he'd normally do to strengthen his faith."
   
   —Tom Eastman
3. A family atmosphere "Amanda called me long-distance one night to say she hit a deer with her car. Then she said she had already called her softball coach, who was willing to come pick her up. I was relieved to hear he was picking her up, since he has been like a father figure in her life. She's developed a friendship with him and his wife, and occasionally babysits their seven children."
   
   —Danette Gruen
4. Building a foundation "Our son Christian enjoyed being a part of a small Christian community. He's not only taking classes that prepare him for ministry, like Greek, but also participated in service opportunities on campus and in the community. I think he's a well-rounded person, with a solid foundation that developed at Sterling."
   
   —Larry Dashiell
5. Encouraging professors/campus staff "Sara has been blessed with many people at college who fill up her self-worth bucket. She's had professors and college staff tell her how much they appreciate who she is, encouraging her to go after her passions and gifts. But most important is the Christian woman she admires on campus, her resident director. She adores her as a Christian mentor and friend."
   
   —Sue Hunt

—K.K.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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