The Friday Finish - Hope and Renewal - Hit the Reset! - Maters & Beds - Egg Hunts - Sweethearts Crowned - Baseball & Track Honors - Time Capsule
- Tim Crawford
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
April 18, 2025
Hope and Renewal – The Essence of Easter
Easter Week is a joyful time for celebration, reflection, and community bonding. This year, Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) students from Grades K-6 made the most of this special week with an unforgettable outing. On Tuesday, April 15, they visited the Middlesboro Golden Ticket Cinema to watch the eagerly awaited movie, "King of Kings." The animated film, touching on the life of Jesus, captivated the students and sparked a wave of emotions that highlighted the essence of Easter—a time of hope and renewal.
After the film, the students traveled to Our Father’s House Church for a meaningful devotion and prayer session led by Pastor Odie Carroll, a graduate of the Red Bird School. Pastor Odie has made a lasting impact on the community, making his involvement particularly special. His moving message about love, sacrifice, and new beginnings resonated deeply with the young audience.
After a great time at church, the fun was just getting started! The Elementary Red Bird Cardinals made their way to Newtown Park in Pineville ready for some fun. The playground equipment gleamed in the spring sunshine just begging for kids to come play. The air was filled with excitement as students dashed to the swings and slides capturing the carefree joy of being a kid.
It's incredibly important to consider how community support helps make these wonderful experiences for Red Bird students possible. The trip and all the day's activities were sponsored and organized by remarkable individuals who truly believe in the power of community. This type of support demonstrates a genuine commitment to helping every child grow and thrive.
Hit the Reset!
Wednesday’s chapel at Red Bird Christian School was extra special because of the lead up to Easter. Mr. Mark Smallwood, Volunteer Educator, opened the elementary chapel tying in the trip students had made to Middlesboro to see the animated movie, “The King of Kings,” on Tuesday. He told the students that while many in the audience were upset about the scene where Jesus was nailed to the cross, he said,
“I heard people in the back. Two or three said in the back, ‘It’s okay. He’s coming back.’ I was like, ‘Yes, he is coming back!’ It was a sad, sad time on Friday when he was killed, but the exciting part is every day He’s alive and lives in us.”
Pastor Justin Collett of Mozelle Church of God, then brought a message that included an example of how his Nintendo player has a reset button to get started again. His message to the students was that everybody has a reset button with God. He shared the example of King David, how
“even though he was a king, he messed up. He [King David] prayed to God a heartfelt prayer in Psalm 51. He was asking him for a reset - Restore the joy of my salvation. Cleanse me from all my sins. Renew a right Spirit within me. Those kind of reset words – restore, renew. And so, God gave him a reset.”
At the high school chapel that followed, Mrs. Jennifer Wilder, Principal, gave witness after Pastor Collett’s reset message. She said,
“It takes humility and humbleness to be able to go to the Lord and say, ‘I messed up.’ We all struggle, no matter what age.”
She also related some of Pastor Odie Carroll’s message that, a Red Bird School alumnus, shared with the elementary students after Tuesday’s movie viewing. Mrs. Wilder said,
“The same power that raised Christ from the dead is in you, and so don't forget that that you have a mighty power in you. You've got somebody inside you, if you've invited him in your heart, and I hope you have, to make a difference for you. And we're here for you every step of the way.”
Maters and Beds
Karen and Bruce from St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, TN made the trek to Red Bird Wednesday to deliver 540 tomato plants grown and donated by Ed and Carol Burnett. Ed works closely with Red Bird staff on planting dates and types of tomatoes that can thrive and produce in our mountain communities. The plants were delivered to Community Outreach for families growing a garden but didn’t get into Red Bird Mission Grow Appalachia this year.
Grow Appalachia members met Tuesday evening for their monthly meeting to hear new approaches and share their tips from experience on planting. Afterwards, each member received broccoli, cabbage and other plants for early spring planting.
Pino Brock, Red Bird Grow Appalachia Field Coordinator, and Cody DeWess, Red Bird Mission Elderly Ministries Staff, installed a raised bed Wednesday at the Red Bird Mission DeWall Senior Center on the Beverly Campus. Grow Appalachia provided funds to purchase the livestock feeder (adapted with drainage) that will be higher off the ground making it easier for those with limited mobility. DeWall Center participants will sow the seeds, care for the plants, and enjoy fresh greens in a few weeks at the Center for lunch, or take home for a fresh addition to dinner.
High School Sweethearts Take the Crown:
A Look Inside Red Bird Christian School's Enchanting Prom Night
Prom night—a magical evening where dreams come alive and memories are made. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Red Bird Christian School celebrated this cherished tradition with their annual prom, themed "A Ball in the Bayou." Held at the stunningly decorated Cardinal House on the Red Bird Mission Queendale Campus, the night was alive with laughter, dancing, and sweet southern charm. This event was not just a dance; it was an experience that will be remembered for years to come.
The Cardinal House, with its antique charm and elegant decor, set the perfect backdrop for the night. Guests were welcomed by lush greenery intertwined with vibrant flowers, which filled the venue with life. Strings of twinkling lights provided a soft glow, transforming the space into a fairytale-like setting.
As students entered, they felt transported to the bayou, enhanced by subtle elements inspired by nature and the whimsical "Princess and the Frog" film playing softly in the background. The blend of modern elegance and traditional beauty created a magical atmosphere.
Among the excitement, the crowning of Red Bird's 2025 Prom King and Queen was the anticipated highlight of the night. Congratulations to the beloved high school sweethearts, James Isaac Brock and Nowel Cornett, for taking home the crowns! Their relationship captures the vibe of prom, making them the perfect choice for Prom King and Queen of their school.
Cheers erupted from friends, creating an electric atmosphere packed with excitement. It was a night to remember, filled with unforgettable memories and good times that everyone will be talking about for ages!
Senior Spring Athletes Honored
Senior spring sports athletes participating in their final year as Cardinal athletes at Red Bird Christian School were honored Thursday evening at a home baseball game. Coach Tim Helton shared special comments about each senior player and the progress they’ve made contributing to Cardinal Baseball - Ephrem Ibuka, Darryl Kanyinda, Dorian Ngulungu, Michael Nsensele and Gradi Tschilomboji. Coach Tim and Coach Allie presented each a baseball signed by their teammates and a shirt as a remembrance of their baseball years at Red Bird.
Coach Angela Crawford then honored Senior Track and Field athletes expressing appreciation to them for their commitment to Cardinal Track and Field. Those honored with a special Senior Track and Field shirt were Ephrem Ibuka (1st year), Darryl Kanyinda (1st year), Conner Napier (3 years), Dorian Ngulungu (5 years), Michael Nsensele (3 years), Jarron Smith (4 years), and Gradi Tschilomboji (1st year).
Unearthing Memories: Red Bird Christian School Seniors Revisit Time Capsule Letters from Fifth Grade
The Senior Class of Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) came together Monday to unearth a cherished time capsule they had buried during Fifth Grade. The event was overflowing with laughter and nostalgia as students reconnected with their childhood dreams and aspirations. This was an excellent opportunity to revisit their past and rekindle the bonds they shared.
The time capsule, a thoughtful project by Mrs. Rebecca Smallwood, Volunteer Educator, contained letters each student had written to their "Senior Self." When they dug it up, the excitement was overwhelming. It was not just about uncovering letters but reliving childhood memories and joy of their younger selves.
Time capsules don’t simply hold objects; they capture moments and growth. When the RBCS seniors buried their time capsule, it was stuffed with personal letters, drawings, and reminders of their youthful hopes. This particular event allowed them to reflect on who they were in Fifth Grade compared to the young adults they are today.
Retrieving the time capsule ignited memories of elementary school—playfulness, friendships, and the sheer joy of being a kid. For many, digging up the capsule felt like unearthing not just letters, but a part of their childhood that had been carefully tucked away.
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