Our Mission
Our mission is to develop the next generation with active and creative minds, to nurture appreciation and compassion for others, and the courage to act upon Christian values and beliefs. We stress the total development of each child; spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical.
Our Leadership
Executive Directors
Matt & Abie Shelton
Advisory Board
Debra Brentlinger, Danny Drewes, Tyler Mulvany, Jonathon Piperakis, Leslie Runyon
Louisville Campus Olney Campus
Dean of Academics - Samantha Phillippe
Administrative Coordinator - Josie Piperakis Administrative Coordinator - Lindsey Webster
Matt & Abie Shelton
Advisory Board
Debra Brentlinger, Danny Drewes, Tyler Mulvany, Jonathon Piperakis, Leslie Runyon
Louisville Campus Olney Campus
Dean of Academics - Samantha Phillippe
Administrative Coordinator - Josie Piperakis Administrative Coordinator - Lindsey Webster
Testimonies
TESTIMONIES FROM PARENTS AND STUDENTS
I appreciate seeing our students, who come from different churches and denominations, come together at Full Armor and unite on their love of God. To the students it doesn’t matter what town you come from or church you attend, they will consider you family. Our students definitely represent coming together as a Church.
It is so wonderful to see how our older students care about and include the younger students. There can be such sepperation between age groups. However, at Full Armor, we get the privilege of seeing our junior high and high school students support the younger grades in recreation, academics, and sprirtual growth.
I appreciate nothing more than seeing our students that have graduated go out into the world, and not only be successful members of society, but continue to be Kingdom workers. No matter their field, they still have a desire to exemplify God and bring others to Him. That is most Important to us at Full Armor. We want them to continue glorifying the Lord in whatever direction or location their life leads.
‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ – Mark 16:15
-Rindy Rickets – Teacher
Full Armor Academy is a place where the burden of being a teenager is lightened. They do not have to be mini-adult. But instead are free to still play occasionally, be themselves instead of having to be “cool”, and live by Christian values instead of being politically correct. The same young ladies who are giggling and chatting one minute, come up with the most profound spiritual ideas (or questions) the next minute. The same young men who run around campus at lunchtime pretending to be soldiers are also the ones who brought me to tears right before the Variety Show. As I walked into Miss Carol’s room, someone told me, “We think we should pray.” There before me was a circle of young men who had already decided to do this and had gathered themselves together for a heartfelt prayer that they “not mess up and that they do if for God’s glory”. Books and learning are important, but there is so much more going in this place. On rare occasions, students reach a point where their behavior leads to the question, “Do you even want to be here at Full Armor?” Time after time when we have expected a defiant “No!”, the answer is a tearful and contrite, “Yes, I really want to stay here.” God has moved in that young person’s heart, not to perfection, but in the right direction. While I enjoyed 25 years teaching in the public setting, during these past 4 years at Full Armor I have been blessed beyond measure.
-Cindy Bruns - Teacher
Full Armor has been such a blessing to my family and I. We were told that our children they would not be able to go much farther in their education here at Full Armor they have exceeded our expectations. Not only are they getting a quality education they are also learning about what they Bible says and how to work for the Lord. I thank the Lord everyday for bringing us to the hill.
-Leigh Ann & Jim Frederick - Parents and FAL Teacher
First and foremost, being able to start at this private Christian academy has been nothing short of a blessing. My husband and I constantly say that we only wish we knew about it sooner. Our children have excelled in learning textbook material, writing papers, and completing projects with the help from instructors that are able to take the time to help each student as well as their biblical foundation and knowledge has grown. My high school student has learned to write a resume and reasearch career opportunities to help pursue their occupational mindset. While attending this school it is encouraged to treat others with respect, support each other no matter of what age as well as to have a good Christian attitude towards everyone they meet. My children talk about what tey have learned on a daily basis, such as my daughter talks about is learning Latin, art, and history. She seemed to love all her subjects as well as her teachers. Both of my children were able to experience a mission trip and learning how people that they don’t encounter on a daily basis can impact your way of thinking and not to take for granted anything around you. I feel that they are being taught in a manner that prepates them for everyday life with good wholesome family atmosphere.
-Kevin and Belinda Hammond
In public school, Matt had a learning disability. With such learning disability, he was not getting the extra help he was supposed to get. That was the original purpose for enrolling him with Andrea at the Potter’s Shed. Not only did he excel that first year, he excelled as we had him doing freshman work as an 8th grader. He skipped 8th grade so he could do the same work as the other boys. Matt has gained the confidence he never had. He gained the help he needed that is just not available in public school because of the state funding. He now is talking about college when he never had before. We are truly blessed with this opportunity.
-Kevin and Jennifer Billingsley
The public school system today is a battleground. You teach and train your kids for years everything they need to know about how to conduct themselves and morally where your family stands and then we send them into a war principles and values with very little to no moral support to fight the battles, in most cases alone. Being the parents of a recent high school graduate and the sponsors of a high school connect group we have the ability to see these young teenagers get bombarded with moral attacks and physical and mental bullying. Also. we've seen the emotional toll that it takes on the kids. We have seen a significant decrease in the confidence level and in some cases we've seen these attacks put the young adults in danger for their lives or suffer consequences that change the course of their life forever. That is the current State of the public school. To contrast. with Christian academy what we have seen so far is a direct departure from the public school –We have not seen a battle ground of morals and ideals. We see direct alignment with the values and morals we are teaching at home. We see a support network from friends, teachers, and administration that support the same Christian ideals we believe in and try to live out in our lives, Most importantly for our 12 year old daughter we see an innocence and a brightness in personality that we don't see on many kids that we come in contact with from a public school. These are our observations we believe that through fervent faith in our God that all things are possible and that kids can navigate the public school system with a high degree of success. Our opinion is that our children will be more mature in their faith, and should have a different trajectory in their life coming out of Christian Academy than the public school system just because of the all support, discipline, and Godly love they receive while attending. We feel that the course of their life will be altered because of the close alignment of their school with our home life.
Steadfast in our Faith,
-Wade and Stefanie Harrison
I look at this world pretty simply-a war of principalities...light and dark. I am always amazed at watching kids grow up. I call it the "pig pen" effect. Charlie Brown's friend "pig pen" always had the cloud or dirt around him. I have seen over and over again, kids in the light of innocence getting the "pig pen" effect of "cloud of dirt" surrounding them as they enter a life of sin or just gain carnal knowledge of this world. I have seen it in my grandchildren as well. My middle granddaughter, Maggie, radiated life, excitement, singing, and dancing. She was "Our Sparkle Girl". I saw this change as she got older. My once silly, fun loving granddaughter, became quiet, introverted and a bit detached I shrugged it off as just early teen years, I noticed her zeal for school was a a bit subdued and became dreaded at the summer's end. Life was changing, she was growing, but a noticeable darkness was at hand ...then, a decision was made. Maggie and her parents decided to become a part of Full Armor Christian Academy. As the weeks progressed a noticeable but subtle change began to shine through. I started noticing a zeal for each new day. I would ask, "How was your day? She started answering "great!" No more quiet shrug with not much said. She struggled in a few areas but noticed the enthusiasm she had in tackling the task at hand. October of last year was when it was clear this decision her family made was a "life changing" one. Maggie had a spring in her step, a confidence became apparent. Joy that had been missing from her personality was back. It was as if she was a 4-year old again, dancing, singing, showing us that bubbly personality. My care-free granddaughter had returned, in only two short months of being part of this "New Everyday World'. The daily immersion of the Word of God, being around youth and leaders full of encouragement and the constant attitude of conveying in this brought "Our Sparkle Girl" back.
-Pam Garrett
(Grandmother of a Class of 2022 Student)
It is so wonderful to see how our older students care about and include the younger students. There can be such sepperation between age groups. However, at Full Armor, we get the privilege of seeing our junior high and high school students support the younger grades in recreation, academics, and sprirtual growth.
I appreciate nothing more than seeing our students that have graduated go out into the world, and not only be successful members of society, but continue to be Kingdom workers. No matter their field, they still have a desire to exemplify God and bring others to Him. That is most Important to us at Full Armor. We want them to continue glorifying the Lord in whatever direction or location their life leads.
‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ – Mark 16:15
-Rindy Rickets – Teacher
Full Armor Academy is a place where the burden of being a teenager is lightened. They do not have to be mini-adult. But instead are free to still play occasionally, be themselves instead of having to be “cool”, and live by Christian values instead of being politically correct. The same young ladies who are giggling and chatting one minute, come up with the most profound spiritual ideas (or questions) the next minute. The same young men who run around campus at lunchtime pretending to be soldiers are also the ones who brought me to tears right before the Variety Show. As I walked into Miss Carol’s room, someone told me, “We think we should pray.” There before me was a circle of young men who had already decided to do this and had gathered themselves together for a heartfelt prayer that they “not mess up and that they do if for God’s glory”. Books and learning are important, but there is so much more going in this place. On rare occasions, students reach a point where their behavior leads to the question, “Do you even want to be here at Full Armor?” Time after time when we have expected a defiant “No!”, the answer is a tearful and contrite, “Yes, I really want to stay here.” God has moved in that young person’s heart, not to perfection, but in the right direction. While I enjoyed 25 years teaching in the public setting, during these past 4 years at Full Armor I have been blessed beyond measure.
-Cindy Bruns - Teacher
Full Armor has been such a blessing to my family and I. We were told that our children they would not be able to go much farther in their education here at Full Armor they have exceeded our expectations. Not only are they getting a quality education they are also learning about what they Bible says and how to work for the Lord. I thank the Lord everyday for bringing us to the hill.
-Leigh Ann & Jim Frederick - Parents and FAL Teacher
First and foremost, being able to start at this private Christian academy has been nothing short of a blessing. My husband and I constantly say that we only wish we knew about it sooner. Our children have excelled in learning textbook material, writing papers, and completing projects with the help from instructors that are able to take the time to help each student as well as their biblical foundation and knowledge has grown. My high school student has learned to write a resume and reasearch career opportunities to help pursue their occupational mindset. While attending this school it is encouraged to treat others with respect, support each other no matter of what age as well as to have a good Christian attitude towards everyone they meet. My children talk about what tey have learned on a daily basis, such as my daughter talks about is learning Latin, art, and history. She seemed to love all her subjects as well as her teachers. Both of my children were able to experience a mission trip and learning how people that they don’t encounter on a daily basis can impact your way of thinking and not to take for granted anything around you. I feel that they are being taught in a manner that prepates them for everyday life with good wholesome family atmosphere.
-Kevin and Belinda Hammond
In public school, Matt had a learning disability. With such learning disability, he was not getting the extra help he was supposed to get. That was the original purpose for enrolling him with Andrea at the Potter’s Shed. Not only did he excel that first year, he excelled as we had him doing freshman work as an 8th grader. He skipped 8th grade so he could do the same work as the other boys. Matt has gained the confidence he never had. He gained the help he needed that is just not available in public school because of the state funding. He now is talking about college when he never had before. We are truly blessed with this opportunity.
-Kevin and Jennifer Billingsley
The public school system today is a battleground. You teach and train your kids for years everything they need to know about how to conduct themselves and morally where your family stands and then we send them into a war principles and values with very little to no moral support to fight the battles, in most cases alone. Being the parents of a recent high school graduate and the sponsors of a high school connect group we have the ability to see these young teenagers get bombarded with moral attacks and physical and mental bullying. Also. we've seen the emotional toll that it takes on the kids. We have seen a significant decrease in the confidence level and in some cases we've seen these attacks put the young adults in danger for their lives or suffer consequences that change the course of their life forever. That is the current State of the public school. To contrast. with Christian academy what we have seen so far is a direct departure from the public school –We have not seen a battle ground of morals and ideals. We see direct alignment with the values and morals we are teaching at home. We see a support network from friends, teachers, and administration that support the same Christian ideals we believe in and try to live out in our lives, Most importantly for our 12 year old daughter we see an innocence and a brightness in personality that we don't see on many kids that we come in contact with from a public school. These are our observations we believe that through fervent faith in our God that all things are possible and that kids can navigate the public school system with a high degree of success. Our opinion is that our children will be more mature in their faith, and should have a different trajectory in their life coming out of Christian Academy than the public school system just because of the all support, discipline, and Godly love they receive while attending. We feel that the course of their life will be altered because of the close alignment of their school with our home life.
Steadfast in our Faith,
-Wade and Stefanie Harrison
I look at this world pretty simply-a war of principalities...light and dark. I am always amazed at watching kids grow up. I call it the "pig pen" effect. Charlie Brown's friend "pig pen" always had the cloud or dirt around him. I have seen over and over again, kids in the light of innocence getting the "pig pen" effect of "cloud of dirt" surrounding them as they enter a life of sin or just gain carnal knowledge of this world. I have seen it in my grandchildren as well. My middle granddaughter, Maggie, radiated life, excitement, singing, and dancing. She was "Our Sparkle Girl". I saw this change as she got older. My once silly, fun loving granddaughter, became quiet, introverted and a bit detached I shrugged it off as just early teen years, I noticed her zeal for school was a a bit subdued and became dreaded at the summer's end. Life was changing, she was growing, but a noticeable darkness was at hand ...then, a decision was made. Maggie and her parents decided to become a part of Full Armor Christian Academy. As the weeks progressed a noticeable but subtle change began to shine through. I started noticing a zeal for each new day. I would ask, "How was your day? She started answering "great!" No more quiet shrug with not much said. She struggled in a few areas but noticed the enthusiasm she had in tackling the task at hand. October of last year was when it was clear this decision her family made was a "life changing" one. Maggie had a spring in her step, a confidence became apparent. Joy that had been missing from her personality was back. It was as if she was a 4-year old again, dancing, singing, showing us that bubbly personality. My care-free granddaughter had returned, in only two short months of being part of this "New Everyday World'. The daily immersion of the Word of God, being around youth and leaders full of encouragement and the constant attitude of conveying in this brought "Our Sparkle Girl" back.
-Pam Garrett
(Grandmother of a Class of 2022 Student)
Full Armor Louisville
600 Erwin St. Louisville, IL 62858 (618) 665-4441 Full Armor Olney 5014 N. US 130 Olney, IL (618) 392-0300 |