A brief look at the new Principal:
 
I was reared in a Christian home in south Florida and made a profession of faith at eight years of age during a revival service in my home church. In the 50's public school was all there was for those of us who were not Catholic. As I entered my junior high years, my behavior began to change and my parents did not like the direction I was headed. I enrolled in Miami Christian School in the fall of 1963.
 
Receiving teaching from a Christian perspective was a drastic change for me but I enjoyed it. I had the opportunity to play interscholastic sports, perform in school concerts, and even represent the school in a quartet at area churches.
 
The influence of two of my teachers made me want to attend a Christian college. After graduation, I matriculated to Tennessee Temple College to train for God's will for my life. While at TTU, I met my wife who hailed from New Jersey. We were married for our last year of college.
 
My high school coach was now the principal of a Christian school in south Miami, and Carol and I applied for teaching positions there. We taught five years in the south Florida area before God led us to Cleveland to serve at Heritage Christian School.
 
It is hard to believe that was twenty-eight years ago. The greatest change in my life was when I truly realized my need of Christ and accepted Him as my personal savior in 1979. This was not an easy thing to do as a teacher, yet God was gracious and allowed my action to bring five students to trust Christ the following week. Like me they had nagging doubts that did not depart until they were truly saved.
 
Along the way at HCS, I coached soccer and basketball. I taught history and Bible, and worked as Vice-Principal. Carol and I ministered in the youth department at church, sang in the choir and I taught Sunday school classes as a substitute teacher. Our last ministry was in a discipleship ministry with new converts. This ministry is so critical in the life of newly saved members and has proven to be a very valuable asset to our church.
 
When Pastor Adkins approached me about the position of principal at Temple Christian School, I was hesitant to leave people at a place that we love. God began to work in my heart to give Carol and I a true desire to move to Mansfield to minister here. In the short time that we have been here, everyone has made us feel so much a part of the family and that has been a great blessing. Space doesn't permit me to tell you of all that the Lord has done to make it crystal clear that this is His will for us.
 
I look with great anticipation toward the coming school year.
 
With God's help we'll continue the fine educational tradition of Temple Christian School in this year and on into the future.
 
David A. Cook

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