He Has Done Marvelous Things!

April 2022

A big pile of snow overnight couldn’t stop Good Shepherd Christian Academy from celebrating their first open house in a long time. The students sang at church, the parent task force made a wonderful lunch, and the highlight was the mural dedication right after church! Artist and children’s author Kevin Luthardt was on hand to say a few words, sign some of his books, and “cut the ribbon” on this beautiful art piece based on the words to the hymn “Earth and All Stars.” Joyfully and colorfully depicting all sorts of children engaged in play and activities described in the hymn, the mural climbs the stairwell and wraps around the lobby.

In May of 2021, Good Shepherd Christian Academy (GSCA), Chicago submitted their request for a grant to the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) to support outreach to early childhood. What better way to welcome kids and families into school every day than to cover the walls with a child-friendly, inclusive mural with a Christian message right on the walls!

This mural was made possible through a joint venture between Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) and the LCMS Northern Illinois District. Both extended grant money to Good Shepherd – CLEF for sprucing up the entire three-story lobby area with a fresh coat of paint and the NID for the grant to commission the mural.

Everyone knows that first impressions are important, and this is frustrating because the GSCA building and grounds, inside and out, were definitely not up-to-date nor attractive or kid-friendly.

Good Shepherd Christian Academy is a mission of Jehovah-El Buen Pastor Church. The church and school have been ministering to their neighborhood for over 110 years. Though parts of the area adjacent to Jehovah’s neighborhood are beginning to experience regentrification (a portion of the Logan Square area to the east), the fact is the Hermosa (Spanish for “beautiful”) neighborhood is largely Hispanic and low-income. It is a densely populated area of 2-, 3-, and 6- flats full of immigrants. This is the area they serve.

Since its re-formation in 2017, Jehovah-El Buen Pastor Congregation has established itself as a ministry to the Hispanic neighborhood. The school’s mission is to minister to the population now living in Hermosa and surrounding neighborhoods. The mix of staff is a blessing — some Hispanic and some Anglo — and their ability to reach out to non-English speaking families is the necessary bridge for success in this area. The school and church are completely connected, and the pastor and principal are very aligned in terms of goals for their organization. While the school is very small and faces many challenges, the lack of resources is made up for by sheer will — and the staff’s willingness to view themselves as missionaries.

Previously, the NID generously granted GSCA funds to improve technology offerings for students in the older grades 4-8. Despite the slow start due to the pandemic shutdown, this program has been well-received and has been successful in engaging students in areas in which they previously had no access. The plan is to expand the program to younger students in the coming years.

Even though the curricular and technology offerings are of high quality inside the school, feedback from prospective parents during school tours is that they “had a hard time with” the condition of the building, the lack of play space, and the generally stern and unwelcoming look of the building inside and out. It had been all concrete and brown bricks – and nothing on the exterior, or inside at the entrance, to say “this is a warm, welcoming place for little kids.” Good Shepherd has formed partnerships with CLEF, UKANDU, and other donors (some from the Hispanic community) to address some of the “first impression” issues on the outside of the building, which was welcome news. The NID Endowment Grant vision was for the inside of the building.

Back in 2005, they engaged a Christian children’s book author and illustrator, Kevin Luthardt, to paint a mural in the entrance lobby. This mural has stood the test of time and is still a showpiece that welcomes families into the building and screams “we are here for kids!” It also incorporates a Bible verse and shows kids of all races playing and singing. This is what I want for Good Shepherd.

This new piece is strictly targeted for a “first impression” look when you come in. Engaging, colorful, child-centered … that’s the message they wish to send. Everything done for a school either assists or hinders in outreach — and a mural piece will play a part in helping turn more visitors into GSCA family members. Coupled with colorful, child-friendly improvements made on the austere exterior, this interior mural will convey much about the culture at GSCA.

Their goals for the upcoming years are to target the age groups pre-K 3 through grade 4, to create a pipeline of enrollment which will continue to sustain the older grades, hire another teacher, expand the pre-K offerings, and grow organically after that. The new mural will help set them up for success, creating the right physical space and environment.

This school, with a bit of help and a lot of work, can be a gem in the neighborhood and in the NID, an example of a healthy ministry to an urban Hispanic population.

“God Has Done Marvelous Things” indeed!

“Earth and All Stars” – Lutheran Service Book 817, vv. 3, 5

Trumpet and pipes!
Loud clashing cymbals!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Harp, lute, and lyre!
Loud humming cellos!
Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!

Classrooms and labs!
Loud boiling test tubes!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band!
Loud cheering people!
Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!