The Lord is gracious to give us many gifts to use to pour into others and for Kim and Rachel, one of those gifts is the gift of teaching and a love for children and seeing them grow into who they are meant to be. While he prepared them years ago to be classroom teachers, he also used many experiences to prepare them to leave the public classroom, developing and opening their eyes to a different, more intentional way.
Twelve years ago Rachel stepped away from a 10 year teaching career in the public school to help on the farm and take care of her kiddos. It was in that “year off” she realized that there is something so special and rewarding in letting your kids get their hands dirty and watch something grow that you had a part in and to work alongside others in a beautiful relationship for a cause bigger than yourself. She watched the joy and inquisitive learning that took place one day in the popcorn patch with her niece and daughter and knew she had to find a way back to teaching and to share this experience of being on the farm with others. The Lord initially called her to a community learning garden, which next led to building an all-wood post and beam barn with a full kitchen on the farm for people to gather for all sorts of things from canning classes, to weddings, anniversary celebrations, company meetings and meals and other community celebrations. Over the last couple of years, the Lord had been nudging her heart that the time with her own children was fleeting and that the most important job she had was to walk with them in building a firm foundation and making sure they were in community that sharpened, encouraged and held them to a higher standard than the standards of the world. And not only that, there were gifts and abilities that she was no longer using that could make a difference in the lives of other kids as well. There was also a reminder that the venue the Lord had given them - Simple Blessings Farm – was their mission field and that it provided a wonderful place to gather and learn together and it was sitting empty most weekdays just waiting for a purpose.
Kim began pursuing her education degree right after high school but did not complete it at that time. She spent a few years teaching at a Christian preschool before getting married and becoming a military spouse, faithfully following her husband as God directed their assignments around the world. During this season, Kim and her husband welcomed four beautiful children into their family.
For sixteen years, Kim was a dedicated homemaker, pouring into her children while also volunteering in various capacities to serve others through her gift of teaching. She led Vacation Bible School, guided Girl Scout groups, and served as a key spouse in her husband's squadron. Though she wasn’t sure whether God would open the door for her to teach in an official capacity, He made a way when the family moved to Whiteman AFB in 2020. There, Kim had the opportunity to return to preschool teaching, and God also opened the door for her to complete her Elementary Education degree.
With her husband retiring from the military and God making it clear they were meant to stay in Missouri, Kim began her career at a local public school. She embraced this opportunity as a mission, grateful for a way to use her gifts beyond her own family. However, the challenge of balancing full-time work with staying actively involved in her children's lives proved to be a constant struggle.
In the spring of 2024, Kim felt God stirring her heart, revealing that her journey in the public school classroom was not the final chapter of her story.
They had each mentioned to a mutual friend back in September of 2024 the feeling that the Lord was calling them to step out in faith and do something different - both feeling the calling to start a type of one room schoolhouse. That mutual friend, as only the way that the Lord does, put them in touch with each other and after much prayer and a meeting in a coffee shop one afternoon, Cross Five Academy took root. God is so good. He is preparing good soil for this school to grow in and with Him at the center of it, there is no doubt that the fruit and flourishing that will come through this community will grow amazing life long learners and leaders of light and truth.
To cultivate and nurture a farm-centered community rooted in biblical foundation, where students are encouraged in their God-given gifts and potential so that they can grow into lifelong learners, equipped and confident in their ability to be passionate leaders of light and truth in their community and world.
Cross Five Academy is committed to creating a flourishing, encouraging, biblical-based educational community, amidst the backdrop of a peaceful farm setting integrating outdoor learning, foundational learning, spiritual development, and life skills to equip students to be a light in the world and to boldly do what He has uniquely called them to do. This will be an iron-sharpening place to grow and thrive together.
If you are looking for a peaceful Christ-centered farm learning community where iron sharpens iron and leaders are passionate about mentoring the whole child and providing a more intentional learning environment, then you’ve found the place. We are dedicated to cultivating leaders of truth and light, as the next generation is our gift back to the world and their formation (educational and spiritual) is our utmost responsibility. While we deeply value education, we also understand that there are skills to be developed by getting outside in God’s creation and giving children the ability to discover and explore topics and subjects they are interested in and engage with the world around them. We will always strive to bring out individual gifts that make our community and world a better place. We can’t wait to grow with you.
