Missional Philosophy

Two-thirds of college-aged adults who were raised Protestant leave the church between the ages of 18-22 (Lifeway Research). Those surveyed stated they didn’t feel connected, and/or felt like the church was judgmental or hypocritical. A separate Barna study showed young adults felt their experience of Christianity was shallow and despite attending a K-12 Christian school, most students walk away from the faith after leaving their school.

Young people raised in the church often have knowledge about Jesus—they can recite verses, and know about who God is—but lack a real relationship with Him. They hear Christians speak of the love of God, but do not see that modeled to those who may not align with their worldview. When they head off to college, or into the workforce, Jesus is then quickly abandoned. 

This heartbreaking reality led to a heavy time of soul-searching as we tried to determine what structure really honored Jesus and kept Casas Christ-centered. We truly believe our missional foundation not only honors Jesus but is a healthier approach to showing the onlooking world what being a Christ-follower actually is. 

We feel this shift is so important, and we truly desire to bring clarity to this issue, which is why we created a video to better explain our heart. Click the video below to hear from our teachers. 

In Christian education, schools mostly fall into one of two categories: missional or covenantal. A covenantal school requires students or parents to be committed Christians, fostering a community where everyone shares the same faith. In contrast, a missional school, like Casas Christian School, welcomes students regardless of their religious background, meeting them where they are on their faith journey. This means our classrooms include students from diverse perspectives, and we embrace this as a strength that enhances learning and growth. For our students who are Christ followers, we feel this environment is the most authentic way to begin practicing sharing and living our their faith as it mimics the real world.

At Casas, we believe that a missional approach best aligns with our commitment to be Christ-centered, without barriers. We want to reflect the love of Jesus to all students, regardless of their beliefs, and create an environment where faith is explored deeply and authentically. By inviting students to experience, question, and own their beliefs in a safe environment, we help them build a faith that is resilient and authentic.

If you went to Casas years ago, or know someone who did, they will likely share with you how they learned to recite Bible verses or memorize the books of the Bible in order or they may remember receiving an A, B, C, D or even F as in other courses. And while some might lament this lost practice in our Bible classes, we believe the shift we’ve made has a deeper, more profound impact on the relationship our students have with Jesus. 

While memorization connects with the head, our relationship-centered instruction connects with the mind, heart, and soul of a child.