“We Don’t Charge for Sunday School—Why Would We Charge for This?”: One Pastor’s Radical Move to Offer Tuition-Free Christian Education

Dalena Wallace
Sep 22, 2025
4 min read

When Pastor Justin Walker stood up one Sunday and announced that his church would be launching a tuition-free Christian school, some people thought he had lost his mind. His own congregants, supportive but stunned, went home wondering how their small Kentucky church could possibly afford such an undertaking.

A year later, Salt and Light Academy has welcomed 65 students, baptized entire families, and raised over $650,000—entirely through donations. What began as a bold act of faith is now a growing model of education and evangelism rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to Christ-centered education, regardless of their family’s income.

A School That Costs Everything—and Charges Nothing

Salt and Light Academy is not a homeschool co-op. It's not an enrichment program. It’s a full-fledged private Christian school—offering traditional core subjects, Bible classes, and structure. But there’s one major difference: it’s completely tuition-free.

“We pay our teachers. We purchase curriculum. We have administrative staff. But we don't charge families a dime,” says Pastor Justin.

He explains that families do go through an interview process and must agree to the school’s Statement of Faith—but no donation is ever required, and no donation guarantees admission.

While some parents have offered to write large checks in exchange for securing a seat, Pastor Justin has held firm: “We can't call it donation-based if people are paying for placement. That's just tuition with a twist.”

A Clear Mission: 57 Million Students = 57 Million Souls

For Pastor Justin, the calling to provide tuition-free education isn’t just about cost—it’s about the mission field.

“There are 57 million kids in public schools,” he says. “And many of them are being discipled by a system that doesn't reflect the values of the church.”

While he affirms the role of Christian teachers who remain in public schools as salt and light, he also believes more churches must step in to offer families an alternative—especially those who feel trapped by finances.

And it’s working. Some families enrolled not because they were believers, but because they were desperate for something different. By the end of the school year, six students were baptized, and many brought their families with them. One father even baptized his own wife and daughter during a church service—a moment sparked by his child’s school experience.

Built on Faith, Not a Budget

The financial logistics are staggering. Pastor Justin estimates that Salt and Light Academy costs about $10,000 per student per year—totaling $650,000 in the first year. But the church had no school budget when they launched. Everything came through God’s provision: fundraisers, donor gifts, and monthly support from people across the country who caught the vision.

While the church doesn’t have a line item for the school in its budget, members are passionately involved, giving above and beyond their tithes to support the mission. The church itself grew from 30 to 300 attendees in just one year, largely due to its bold leadership and deep commitment to staying open and missional during and after the COVID crisis.

Practical, Sustainable, and Replicable

Salt and Light Academy launched within the church’s existing building—formerly a horse auction facility—and has since expanded into stables and other outbuildings. The vision doesn’t stop there: long-term plans include a new school facility for 1,200 students on the church’s 72-acre property.

But Pastor Justin’s heart isn’t to grow a mega-school—it’s to multiply the model.

“If I started a tuition-free school in Africa, no one would bat an eye,” he says. “But when we do it here, people ask if it’s possible. The answer is yes—and it’s time the church steps up.”

His dream? That one day, it will feel odd to walk into a church that doesn’t also operate a school—just like it would feel odd today to find a church with no worship music.

Advice to Other Pastors: Start with What You Have

When asked how pastors with already full plates can take on something this big, Pastor Justin points to the biblical story of Moses:

“God didn’t tell Moses to find something new—He said, ‘What’s in your hand?’ Every church already has a building, volunteers, and people who care about kids. Start there.”

He emphasizes that the work is heavy—but the joy is heavier. Obedience to God's call has made the burden feel light, even as the logistics remain challenging.

A Movement That’s Just Getting Started

In just one year, Salt and Light Academy has:

Enrolled 65 students
Baptized 6 students and 6 parents
Added 7th and 8th grades (with high school coming next)
Inspired churches across Kentucky to consider similar models

Pastor Justin has already begun fielding calls from pastors around the country who want to replicate the model. His hope is that one day, a foundation can be built to fund, equip, and train churches across the nation to do the same.

“If you’re waiting until you have it all figured out, you’ll never start,” he says. “God provides as you go. And once you take the first step, you’ll be shocked by what He does next.”