Letter from Don Griffioen

As I recall, it was thirty seven years ago the Grand Rapids Christian School Association was considering a similar plan to phase out several of their schools. The first on the list was the Central Christian High School located on Franklin Street and Madison Avenue. The second school scheduled to be phased out was Oakdale. Next was Mayfield. Baxter was already closed.

Nine churches in Southeast Grand Rapids banded together in what was called the Inner City Planning Committee. Their agenda was to help those nine churches know how to face the problems of racially changing and increasingly hostile neighborhoods in which they were located. The ICPC was a committee consisting of two Consistorial representatives from each of the nine churches: Calvin, Eastern Ave, First, Fuller Avenue, Grace, Oakdale, Madison Square, Neland Avenue, and Sherman Street. The Christian Reformed Board of Evangelism called me at that time to serve as the Missionary-at-large for greater Grand Rapids and I was assigned to work as a Consultant to the ICPC.

The ICPC made a small and failing attempt to save the Central Christian High School from being closed down, but dug their heals in firmly and successfully for retaining Oakdale. Although it may not be available in the official records of those days, I do remember that it was clearly understood by some of us that if Oakdale would be phased out, we would be the first in line to claim or buy back the building in order to retain a Christian School in southeast Grand Rapids. I am convinced that the fact that all nine of those churches are still ministering effectively and fruitfully in their neighborhoods in spite of many unexpected changes and challenges over the next thirty-five years is largely due to the fact that these churches were not willing to give up their inner-city Christian School. I also believe Oakdale Christian School is essential to a healthy future of these nine churches in the decades to come.

All this was many years before the beginning of The Potter's House Christian School in southwest Grand Rapids. When Grandville Avenue Christian School was closed, that building was first sold to the Public School, as I recall, and later was purchased by The Potter's House Christian School. Oakdale Christian School has much in common with Potter's House. Perhaps, Oakdale needs to develop a closer alliance with The Potter's House, rather than to continue with the Grand Rapids Christian School system that has become increasingly focused on serving wealthier suburban, sprawling communities. As GRCSA responds to its geographically more scattered students the need for Christian Education in the southeast inner city of Grand Rapids becomes in greater jeopardy.

The nine southeast Grand Rapids city churches could easily support and sustain a good Christian School in their primary ministry neighborhood apart from GRCSA. A sister school relationship with The Potter's House would not necessarily mean a union of the two schools with one Board of Directors. They would probably each be better served if owned by and governed by their own local support communities, but enjoying many cooperative and cost-saving ventures that could be worked out between them.

I pray that your FOCUS Committee may be guided by wisdom from God as you seek continuation of quality Christian education for southeast Grand Rapids!