:: Foothill Christian Schools ::

John Mehl
Foothill Church Associate Pastor

Foothill Christian School and Foothill Church extend congratulations to fifth grade teacher, John Mehl, on the announcement of his new appointment as Associate Pastor of Foothill Church. One of Mr. Mehl's primary responsibilities will be working with junior high students at both the church and the school. He will assume his responsibilities as junior high pastor on March 1st, but will still finish out the school year as our 5thgrade teacher.

The newly created position was identified by church and school leadership as a strategic priority for strengthening the relationship of the church and school with a greater pastoral presence on campus.

Making the appointment, Lead Pastor, Chris Lewis, commented: "This is an exciting time for both FCS and the church. It's very rare to find someone who is passionately committed to Jesus Christ and His church and genuinely excited about discipling junior high students. But John really loves Jesus and really loves junior highers! That is a unique combination and one that will benefit both the church and the school for years to come."

Superintendent, Bo Gutzwiller, called Mr. Mehl's appointment a "win-win" arrangement that will greatly benefit students with an even greater day-to-day ministerial presence from an individual whose life and commitment to our students is known and respected by our families. John has a stellar reputation for not only hearing the heartbeat of our kids, but knowing how to help them navigate their youth culture. Mr. Gutzwiller explained that while this new appointment will remove Mr. Mehl from day-to-day classroom teaching next year, his new duties will include making himself available to help students in areas of encouragement, counseling, biblical study, Christian worldview, chapel worship and possibly coaching too!

With the change in Mr. Mehl's position, the question is how this will ultimately impact the fifth grade? For Mr. Gutzwiller, the most immediate name to surface was Ms. Linda Thompson, "an extremely well-qualified, veteran educator who taught sixth grade for us for two years. God has brought amazing people to this school, and Linda is one of our best!" Our plan is to move her into the fifth grade teaching position vacated by Mr. Mehl. Mr. Gaines will still be our junior high Bible teacher and our Faith in Action coordinator.

Mr. Mehl began teaching at Foothill Christian School in 2005 as a part-time substitute teacher and became a full time teacher in September of 2006. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University, where he majored in Biblical Studies (minors in religion and history). For Mr. Mehl, the assignment is a cause for humble thanks as he looks back on nearly six years of working "in one of the most incredible and God-honoring organizations I have ever known." It's upon this firm foundation that he can now look forward "to the fresh opportunities of this new role as it allows me to devote myself to the spiritual formation of the students and their families. It has been my job and pleasure to draw out the hearts and minds of these students, and now I find a unique opportunity for my own heart and mind to be drawn out for them."

Congratulations, Mr. Mehl!

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