Odessa Christian School
Quality Education
Our Vision
To teach the whole child in a Christ-centered environment emphasizing moral and academic excellence.
Our Mission
The mission of Odessa Christian School is to lead students to love God and to seek HIS truth by training them in a Christ-centered environment emphasizing moral and academic excellence and inspiring them to develop their God-given talents.
Our Philosophy
We believe that God reveals Himself in the Bible as the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things. We believe that the Bible is authentic and authoritative. We believe that true education leads us to know and desire God as the origin and goal of all our countless goods and truths, and we believe that all goods and truths should be pursued, mastered, and enjoyed as God’s gifts. Christian education provides a context within which the desires of our hearts and the pursuits of our minds are integrated into a whole. Furthermore, Christian education involves moral education and the integration of biblical faith with all of the disciplines in a manner enabling us to view ourselves, all persons, and our world through the eyes of God. OCS recognizes that all humans are created by God and that each is gifted by God with a unique combination of talents and skills to be used in His service. The school seeks to employ personnel who have the talents and skills needed to pursue the mission of the school. Without regard to race, color, national origin, age, handicap, or disability, the school provides equal opportunity in hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, and training to all qualified employees. This equal opportunity policy applies to both men and women, except for specific roles defined by scripture.
History
How It All Started
In 1966, Odessa Christian School operated in the educational building of the Church of Christ at 600 North Jackson in Odessa offering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade to 44 students with plans for an additional grade to be added each year through sixth grade. In September, 1969, classes from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade began using the new building at 2000 Doran Drive. Today, OCS employs 30 outstanding and dedicated faculty and staff members, while school enrollment reaches 135 to 175 students every year.
Founders, Key Individuals in the Early Days
Incorporators of OCS were J.E. Perkins, Joe R. Thompson, A. Neil McDonald, Jr., and Ken Griffin.
The original board of directors included Dan Billingsly, Ken Griffin, A. Neil McDonald, Jr., H.D. Hatch, Berry H. Mansell, J.E. Perkins, Joe R. Thompson. Other key individuals in the early days of OCS included Dr. J.D. Cone, Al Squire, Wallace Cunningham, Frank Harrell, Bob Watts, Joe Cross, and Wanda Carter.
OCS is accredited by the National Christian School Association (NCSA) and is a member of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce.
We believe
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the one and only inspired, trustworthy and true, without error, Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16
We believe there is only one God who eternally exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
John 14:8-18
We believe Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, in His atoning death on the cross for our sins, His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and that He will one day return.
Luke 1:30-33, Hebrews 2:14-15, Matthew 24:44
We believe in the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the sinful nature of mankind, that all are justified by grace through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Faith shows itself in obedience to Christ through repentance, confession of faith in Him, baptism, and a life led by the Holy Spirit, manifesting the Spirit’s fruit.
Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:8-9
We believe we should “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. That there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:3-6
NOTE: This Statement of Faith is not exhaustive of all our beliefs. Odessa Christian School Board reserves the right to make decisions about beliefs not found in the declaration by using the inspired work of God regarding the application of faith, policy, and practice.
