Finding a high return on investment can be impossible in these uncertain economic times, but for Jim Bob and Kate Measures, there was no question where they wanted to donate their land sale for an eternal impact.
The Measures recently sold a tract of land and donated $1 million of the proceeds to Weatherford Christian School.
“God has given me two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with,” said Jim Bob, co- founder of WCS. “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I will not have a single earthly item left and could say 'I used the many blessings You so richly blessed me with to help provide a Christ-centered education for every young soul fortunate enough to attend Weatherford Christian School.’”
In 2008, WCS purchased 72 acres on Ranger Highway through a mortgage loan. The private Christian school conducted a capital campaign to raise funds to fully cover the loan. However, the recession later that year caused a loss of more than half of the pledges and then later a sharp increase in interest rates left the school with a hefty monthly financial burden that negatively affected the operational budget.
“Being able to relieve our budget of carrying the rising interest costs from a long-standing loan will be a huge blessing,” said Dr. Beth Riley, WCS Head of School.
It’s a balancing act to accommodate the needs of a growing school population and tend to the financial restraints of loan responsibilities to be fiscally responsible to parents, staff, and donors.
“Yet, God always provides for us just when we need Him,” said Dr. Riley.
The Measures have designated the $1 million real estate sale proceeds to directly reduce the school’s original mortgage loan on the school’s acreage. Since there is no state or national funding for the private school sector, WCS relies 100 percent on donor support.
“This generous gift from the Measures will allow the school to move forward with additional projects to accommodate our current growth and prepare for the future,” Dr. Riley said. “God bless Mr. and Mrs. Measures for their extraordinary donation.”
The future-minded Measures offered students some encouragement, too.
“After graduating may they pursue higher education at a Christian college. At the proper time in life, choose a Christian spouse in marriage rearing their children in the nurture and admiration of the Lord, passing their love for the Lord on to the next generation,” Jim Bob Measures said.
Investing in Christian education has been in the Measures’ hearts for a lifetime and the couple said they’ve seen so many blessings because of their obedience. That’s why they wanted to extend an offer to the public to join them in supporting quality Christian education by prayerfully considering helping to pay off the remaining $631,000 of the school’s land mortgage loan.
“I hope I live long enough,” Jim Bob Measures said, “to witness that day (for our mortgage to be fully paid off).”
The school said the donors’ contribution “is a testament to the power of community support and faith-based generosity, inspiring us all to invest in the future of Christian education and the development of young minds. What else can truly have generational and eternal impact?”
Weatherford Christian School, founded in 2001, is a non-denominational, Christ-centered, educational facility enrolling students in preschool through the 12th grade. The school’s mission is to provide a Christ-centered educational environment where children are equipped for lives of Christian leadership and service.
Emphasizing personal development, WCS strives to provide an education of high academic quality and motivates each student to perform at his or her maximum potential. WCS is accredited by both National Christian School Association (NCSA) and Cognia. WCS is also a registered member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The campus is located at 2300 Ranger Highway, just west of downtown Weatherford.
For more information, email Courtney McKeown at courtney.mckeown@wcslions.org or call 817-341-0000.
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