Anchored in steadfast faith is Jabez Christian Academy

POLOKWANE – Jabez Christian Academy will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.

Review spoke to the principal, Elana Erasmus to find out what it takes to establish and run a school.

Jabez was established after Pietersburg Christian School, which was under the auspices of the Agapé Church, closed down. Erasmus was principal at the time.

“It was early in the year and the church announced that it was not liable to have the school anymore and that it will would close down. This left me and my personnel in quite a predicament. I prayed a lot and asked the Lord guidance in this regard. I kept my faith in God, as did my personnel, and I believe it his faith in us that allowed us to establish a Christian school. It was our calling from God, no matter how I wanted to see it,” said Elana.

After negotiating with the church she and the personnel took over the school’s registration number and kept the name for three months. In this time, Elana and the personnel kept going with no prospect of salaries, only in faith for the future ahead.

“Agapé Church rented the premises of Pietersburg Christian School to us for the first year. But the Lord showed once again if you keep your faith in Him, even in times of difficulty, He will lead you through it.

“We were extremely blessed with the support we received and our courage was well rewarded when the school could pay the teacher’s salaries,” she saaid.

Elana said a lot of thought was put into the school’s new name. “In the end, we thought the name Jabez would be suitable, which came from a biblical figure, most notably in 1 Chronicle’s 4:10, and the name was registered after the first three months.”

A lot of thought also went into choosing the emblem: “in the end, I saw a sign at a church service one morning, of God’s hand on top of a child’s hand with the earth in between.

“This was to become our emblem, along with its slogan ‘Enlarge our territory and bless us Lord!'”

The school relocated to the old hostel premises of Tom Naudé High Technical School in 2007, where they are still situated.

“The reason for a Christian school is that, for me, Christian education is a necessity in a child’s education and upbringing, it teaches them discipline,” she said.

Elana is married to Lourens, whom she met at the former University of Potchefstroom. They have three sons who are all currently at Jabez.

“My oldest son, Luan matriculated from Jabez in 2013 and is currently studying to become a teacher. He is doing his practicals at Jabez as the school’s sports organiser. The second oldest, Janco is currently in gr. 12, while the youngest, Ricardo is in gr. 8.

“I have committed myself to the school from Monday to Friday as the principal. But when I am at home with my family, then I am the mother. And my family supports me with my vision. We are a close-knit family who enjoys spending time together, especially over weekends.”

Elana said she was very proud and thankful to the Lord for his guidance to help her establish the school, as well as to the numerous people who have supported them throughout the years, especially her family.

“In the beginning, Lourens and the boys helped over weekends to build classroom tables.

“I am very thankful and proud of Lourens, who has supported me all the way, as well as my sons. I believe a person should never be satisfied in giving second best, but only the best as Christ always gives His best for us, as He did with his sacrifice.”