When Churches Say Yes to Education: How One Kansas Pastor Helped Merge Two Schools into One Learning Community

When Pastor Dave Atherton of One Church at Pleasant View was praying about the future of his congregation, he didn’t have a master plan. What he did have was a willingness to say “yes” when the right opportunities arrived. That simple posture led to something extraordinary: the formation of a full-time and hybrid Christian learning academy housed within the church and supported by the congregation.

This is the story of how one church stepped into the world of K–12 education—and how two small schools became one united mission.

A Space No One Was Using—Until It Became a School

After moving from a storefront location to a traditional church building, Pastor Dave and his team realized the downstairs area of their new space couldn’t be used for Sunday services. The open stairwell allowed noise to travel, making the classrooms impractical for simultaneous worship and Sunday school. At the same time, Cedar Point Academy, a local Christian microschool led by Lachelle King, was searching for a new home.

The timing was perfect. Rather than simply leasing space, One Church brought Cedar Point under its ministry umbrella, treating education as part of its mission—not just a tenant. No rent was charged; instead, the church absorbed building costs to support the work as they would with youth or children’s ministries.

From One School to Two—and Then to One Again

Shortly after welcoming Cedar Point, another group approached the church. LEAP, a homeschool enrichment program, was also in need of space. One Church responded again with a yes.

What followed was a merging of not just schools but educational philosophies. Cedar Point offered a full-time microschool model. LEAP operated as a hybrid, homeschool-friendly program with electives and core subject days. Rather than choose one over the other, Pastor Dave helped form One Learning Academy, a dual-track school that supports both types of families under one name and one roof.

This unique approach allows parents to pick the format that best suits their children—and even mix tracks within the same family.

Building the Team and Bridging the Gaps

Running two schools—now one academy—required more than just space. It required leadership. Pastor Dave assembled a school board with experienced educators, financial managers, and administrators to bring structure and accountability. But not every willing volunteer was the right fit for board service. That’s when the church launched a “bridge team”—a ministry designed to connect the school to the broader congregation.

This group of passionate women helps with volunteer coordination, family care, communication, and event support. From organizing a successful field day to quietly cleaning up behind the scenes, the bridge team has become an essential part of the academy’s ecosystem.

A Ministry That Changed the Church

While One Church had already begun attracting more young families, the presence of a school brought a new dimension to its mission. The merger of two congregations—one younger, one older—created a beautiful intergenerational mix. Retirees stepped into volunteer roles. Grandparents led Bible-based mentorship programs. Families once on the sidelines now feel deeply engaged.

And the result? A church where education isn’t separate from ministry—it is ministry.

Lessons for Other Churches

Pastor Dave is the first to say he doesn’t have an education background. But he didn’t let that stop him. He leaned on those who did, listened to his community, and remained open to where God was leading. While not every church will follow the same path, he believes any church can begin by listening for needs and saying yes to opportunities when they arise.

The journey has had its challenges—tight finances, facility repairs, and learning to lead through change. But the reward has been clear: families are now able to disciple their children in environments that align with their faith, and the church has stepped into a powerful role in shaping the next generation.

Learn More About One Learning Academy

📍 One Learning Academy – Derby, Kansas 🔗 oladerby.com

Supported by One Church at Pleasant View, One Learning Academy provides both full-time and hybrid Christian education models—empowering families to choose what works best for them. This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wiseandotherwise