About
Biblical base. We practice grace.
Vision
Students who are grounded in God’s Word, confident about their abilities and respectful to others.
Preparing our students for future grades, leadership opportunities, being team players, discerning decision makers, and for walking in God’s ways.
GOD
We believe there is one living and true God, who is co-eternal, equally divine, existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They have distinct personal attributes, each playing a specific role in the Godhead, yet are without divisions of nature, essence, or being. (Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14, 1 Pet. 1:1-2, John 10:30, John 14:16-17).
We believe that God the Father is sovereign over all things. He is an intelligent, personal, and spiritual being, preserver, ruler of the universe and the source of all life. God is eternal, self-existent, and unchangeable. He is perfect in wisdom, power, holiness, justice, love, goodness, and truth. He is incomprehensible, yet we can know Him personally, but we can never know Him exhaustively. (Gen.1:1, Ps. 93:1, John 4:24, Ps. 90:2, Mal. 3:6, 1 John 4:8, Prov. 2:6, Is. 6:3, Ps. 119:160, Ps. 119:68, Job 11:7, 1 John 1:5, John 5:26, Rom. 11:33-34, Ps. 145:3, Jer. 29:13)
We believe that God the Son became human in the person of Jesus Christ, was conceived by the Holy Spirit within the womb of Mary, a virgin, and is full God and full man. We believe in his sinless life, his miracles, his atoning death on the cross for sin, his resurrection from the dead, his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and his future return in power and glory. Through Jesus Christ, God has revealed himself to humanity uniquely and powerfully. Christ is not merely a human teacher or prophet, but he is divine and God’s one and only Son, and all things were created through him and for him. (Matt. 1:21, John 1:14, Col. 2:9, 2 Cor. 5:21, John 6:26, Eph. 1:7, John 11:25, 1 Cor. 15:4, Matt. 24:30-31, Heb. 1:1-2, Col. 1:16-17, John 1:1)
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, full God in essence, glory, and power, yet distinct from the Father and Son. He is not a mystical force or an impersonal person. He is a divine person with a mind, emotions, and a will. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, regenerates, renews, and indwells the believer at the moment of salvation. The Spirit comforts, sanctifies, empowers, teaches, and guides the believer into all truth. He empowers the believer to be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to point towards Christ and to glorify Him. (Gen. 1:2, Is. 40:12-14, Eph. 4:30, Titus 3:5, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, John 16:8, Acts 9:31, John 16:13, Gal. 5:22-23, John 14:26)
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe in the Bible in its 66 books of the Old and New Testaments to be the only inspired, infallible, and inerrant words of God. It was written by at least 40 different human authors over more than 4,000 years who were all inspired by the Holy Spirit. It acts as the source of authority over morality, our beliefs, lifestyle, and conduct. The Bible has a unified message of God redeeming his creation, and the unifying center of that message is Jesus Christ. (Ps. 19:7, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 1 Cor. 2:12-13, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Heb. 4:12, Rom. 15:4, John 20:30-31)
CREATION
We believe that the Triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, is maker of Heaven and Earth; and of all things visible and invisible, Creation speaks to the eternal power and divine nature of God. We believe that the account in Genesis is factually true and not mythical. Consequently, we believe the universe is the product of God’s creation, out of nothing in 6 days, by the word of His power. All three persons of the Trinity – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – were involved in the creation of the world. (Gen. 1:1-2, Col. 1:16, Ps. 19:1, Ex. 20:11, Neh. 9:6)
SIN
We believe that God created human beings in his own image to reflect his glory, enjoy his fellowship, and accomplish his purposes in the world. He created all people to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. However, when Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie and disobeyed God, their actions brought sin into the world, and they became subject to spiritual and physical death and separated from God. As a result, all humanity has inherited their sin nature and has incurred the same penalty of death and corruption. (Gen. 2:17, Ps. 51:5, Rom. 5:12-19, Rom. 3:23, Is. 59:2, Rom. 1:18, 1 Tim. 5:14-15)
SATAN
We believe Satan is the author of evil and a real spirit being, not simply a personification of evil. He fell from Heaven because of his desire to usurp God’s throne. He is under the sovereign control of God and has been given limited rule over the Earth until he is cast into the eternal lake of fire. He is the declared enemy of God, the father of lies, the prince of darkness, and the accuser and tempter of the believer. Satan and his demons are active on Earth today, seeking to kill, steal, and destroy what God has made and what he declares to be good. However, Satan was defeated on the cross and the true believer has the power to resist him through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ez. 28:12-17, Rev. 12:9, 1 John 5:19, 1 Pet. 5:8-9, Eph. 6:10-17)
SALVATION
We believe salvation is a gift of God, based on his grace alone, received by faith alone, and made possible by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone. We believe that all who repent of their sins and place their trust in the finished work of Christ, and receive forgiveness for their sins, the believer is a new creation and made alive together with Christ. This new life is characterized by a desire to live according to God’s will and pursue all the things that please him through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 10:9-10, Eph. 2:4-5, John 1:12, 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 1:10, Rom. 8:5)
ETERNITY
We believe in the eternal existence of God, and that humans, being made in the image of God, will all be resurrected to live forever. When Jesus Christ returns to this Earth, he will judge the living and the dead, and each of us will be judged based upon how we responded to the person and work of Jesus Christ in this life. Those who have trusted in Christ will spend eternity in the presence of God in the New Heaven and New Earth. Those who have rejected Christ will be separated from the presence of God by their sin and will spend eternity apart from him in Hell with Satan and his host of demons. (Ps. 93:1-2, John 11:25-26, Rom. 5:8-9, Matt. 25:31-46, Rev. 20:11-15, Heb. 9:27-28)
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true church is composed of persons who, by grace through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ, of which he is the Head. We believe that Christ commanded the church to make disciples of all peoples, by going into all the world, baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded. (John 4:23, John 17:21-23, 1 Cor. 12:12-26, Col. 1:17-20, Acts 9:31, Eph. 2:19-22, Rom. 12:4-5)
MARRIAGE, SEXUALITY AND GENDER, ABORTION
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage is a God-ordained covenant union between one biological man and one biological woman. Marriage was first instituted by God in the order of creation, given by God as an unchangeable foundation for human life. Marriage exists so that through it humanity can serve God through children, through faithful intimacy, lifelong commitment, and a properly ordered sexual relationship between a husband and a wife. This union uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with his Church. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to one another. (Gen. 2:18-24, Gen. 1:27-28, Eph. 5:22-23, 1 Cor. 6:16, Matt. 19:5-6, Mark 10:8-9, Heb. 13:4)
SEXUALITY
We believe the Bible speaks to the realistic power of sexual desire, both male and female, and the possibilities of chaos and disorder that arise from those desires when they are not channeled in God’s proper order. All sexual expression that lies outside of the covenant union of one man with one woman in marriage comes under the biblical definition of sin and is an offense to God. Sexual immorality includes, but is not limited to co-habitation, adultery, pornography, rape, homosexual and bisexual relations, polygamy, incest, and bestiality. These are all a perversion of the sexual relationship as God intended it to be. When God’s good boundary for sex is broken, sexual chaos ensues, and lives are desperately damaged. (1 Cor. 6:13-18, Gal. 5:19-21, Heb. 13:4, Eph. 5:3, Rom. 1:26-27)
GENDER
We believe that God created only two genders, male and female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. They are equal in their dignity but different in their design and calling. Gender is synonymous with biological sex and is exclusively binary. Scripture makes clear that gender is not a by-product of individual choice or fluidity but is rather a consequence of divine design from the moment of conception. To recognize gender identity apart from God’s design would be to deny God’s truth and embrace a man-made truth. (Gen. 1:26-27, Deut. 22:5, Ps. 139:13-16, Rom. 1:24-25)
HUMAN LIFE AND ABORTION
God has an infinite value and unequivocal love for all human life, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. We are convinced that the Bible strongly affirms the dignity and value of the unborn. The Scripture passages cited below, and others, are evidence that God accords human value, dignity, and personhood to the unborn from the beginning of conception. (Ps. 139-13-16, Jer. 1:5, Ex. 21:22-25, Gen. 9:6)
GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
There is grace and forgiveness offered to those struggling with any sin, which includes sexual sin and gender identity confusion. Jesus wants to replace our sinful desires with a desire for him so that we are no longer enslaved to sin. The offer of forgiveness is also for the woman who has had an abortion, the one who has encouraged an abortion, or the doctor who has performed abortions. Through repentance and faith in Christ, no one is outside the bounds of God’s amazing grace. (Eph. 2:8, Rom. 3:23-25, Rom. 6:6, Rom. 5:8)
The RCA Statement of Faith is not exhaustive of all our beliefs. The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with absolute authority regarding the proper conduct of mankind and is the unchanging foundation for all belief and behavior.
It began with a vision. Judi felt called to address Rolla’s need for a Christian School, and as she shared this vision, others recognized God’s hand in it. Today, a formation committee, administrator, and aide representing six different area churches have united around a shared statement of faith, creating a truly interdenominational effort. The response from the Rolla community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many families expressing strong interest in this mission.
Why Rolla Christian Academy?
RCA uses a Biblical perspective where God’s character is integrated into all that is taught and done. Each child learns to do their best academically, behaviorally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally while they grow in their God-given, individual strengths and skills in a grace-based environment.
RCA uses a Biblical perspective where God’s character is integrated into all that is taught and done. Each child learns to do their best academically, behaviorally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally while they grow in their God-given, individual strengths and skills in a grace-based environment.
Test scores and grades are not required for your application. Each student is evaluated to determine the appropriate starting level during their first two weeks of classes, whether they begin on Day 1 of classes or later.
Each individual child is celebrated as a unique and beautiful creation; however, RCA is not equipped to handle some learning differences. Each student’s learning needs will be reviewed during the admission process in order to determine RCA’s ability to meet individual learning needs.
Leadership
Sharon Paris
Administrator
Sharon has experience as office manager and teacher at a Christian school.She's the founder and director of Christian Youth Center. She's served as a director of Christian camps for children and teens. She's been a Bible study leader for incarcerated teens. She's served as Caring Community Coordinator for PCCP. Sharon has a heart for Christian Education.
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Bio. This is where you give some background on this individual, list their professional experience, degrees and qualifications, and note what they love about working at your school along with a personal or family detail. Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Nascetur aenean suscipit proin consequat tristique mollis vestibulum. Dictum ultricies congue morbi sem lobortis dis. Himenaeos commodo per id class enim adipiscing lorem dictum. Lacinia nostra quis aliquet finibus venenatis pulvinar mollis ullamcorper fames. Potenti libero penatibus mus interdum ad; maecenas a finibus. Magna facilisis feugiat sapien augue placerat maecenas habitasse vehicula.
Full Name
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Bio. This is where you give some background on this individual, list their professional experience, degrees and qualifications, and note what they love about working at your school along with a personal or family detail. Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Nascetur aenean suscipit proin consequat tristique mollis vestibulum. Dictum ultricies congue morbi sem lobortis dis. Himenaeos commodo per id class enim adipiscing lorem dictum. Lacinia nostra quis aliquet finibus venenatis pulvinar mollis ullamcorper fames. Potenti libero penatibus mus interdum ad; maecenas a finibus. Magna facilisis feugiat sapien augue placerat maecenas habitasse vehicula.
Meet our Team
Judi Aaron
RCA Board Treasurer
Judi Aaron brings decades of financial management and servant leadership experience to her role as Board Treasurer at Rolla Christian Academy. Her extensive background includes serving as Phelps County Public Administrator, where she acted as guardian and/or conservator for 175 individuals over seven years, as well as holding positions as Office Manager for medical and psychiatric clinics, deputy clerk for the Phelps County Circuit Clerk and Recorder, and various roles in banking and business administration. Judi's involvement with Rolla Christian Academy began with a calling to provide families with a Christian education option. Present since the organization's first formative meeting, she remains committed to a vision of Christ-centered learning in small classroom settings where teachers partner with parents to help students discover their God-given purpose and develop a lifelong love of learning. Active in ministry and community service, Judi has led women's Bible studies, served in grief ministry, and participated in mission trips to Peru and Cambodia. She has held positions as both Deacon and Elder in her church. Within the Rolla community, she has served on the boards of NAMI and Habitat for Humanity, volunteered at Birthright and Rolla Pregnancy Resource Center, helped bring the Perspectives course to Rolla, and co-founded a church daycare. Judi and her husband Bill, high school sweethearts married for over 58 years, have raised four children and now celebrate a family "clan" of more than 40. They are members of Greentree Christian Church. When not serving her community, Judi enjoys game nights with family and friends, reading, quilting, and camping. She recently authored a memoir for her family titled "Life is What Happens After Making Other Plans," reflecting her life verse: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
Twila Jones
RCA Formulating Committee Member
Twila Jones grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, shaped by the faith and values of her mother, a bible school teacher and her father, a Church of Christ minister. After graduating from Southwest High School, she attended Abilene Christian College in Texas, where she met her husband, Mike. The two married in 1973 and went on to raise four children together. Drawn to a life of service, Twila earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from the Missouri State Board of Nursing and built a career across hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics in Missouri and Oklahoma . She later served as an Occupational Health Nurse at Phelps County Regional Medical Center, bringing dedicated care to those she served at every stage of her career. Outside of nursing, Twila was a La Leche League leader, substitute taught in the Rolla School System, and homeschooled her children part time — all of whom graduated from Rolla Public Schools. Her life reflects a lifelong commitment to family, education, and compassionate service to her community.
Denise McClanahan
RCA Formulating Committee Chairman and Board President
Denise McClanahan brings decades of educational experience and a lifelong passion for faith-based learning to the effort of establishing a Christian school option for the Rolla community. Denise earned her degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in the 1970s. Her professional career includes teaching positions at two preschools and kindergarten at Ritenour School in St. Louis County. Following the birth of her first child, she dedicated herself to homeschooling her three children through high school, occasionally welcoming other students into their home learning environment. After her children reached adulthood, she returned to preschool education and private tutoring. Throughout her career, Denise has championed the philosophy that children should learn at their own pace, with emphasis on building strong foundations before advancing. A believer since age 8, Denise has made her faith in God a cornerstone of her life and family. Her heart for ministry began in her early teens through Vacation Bible School, bus ministry, church camps, and mission trips. She has continued this calling through Sunday School, VBS, and Children's Church at Grace Church of Rolla, where she remains an active member. Denise is also committed to community-wide prayer initiatives, believing firmly in the power of prayer to advance God's purposes. Her vision for Rolla Christian Academy stems from a deep conviction that children should be nurtured with the knowledge that they are created by and deeply loved by God, and protected from influences contrary to biblical teaching. Denise and her husband Ron have been married for 48 years, having met in Rolla while Ron attended what was then the University of Missouri–Rolla. They have three adult children and a daughter-in-law, each pursuing God's calling in their lives—one in Rolla, one in Alabama, and two in Tokyo. The McClanahans have also opened their home to host children for families in need throughout the years.
Richard Rector
RCA Formulating Committee Secretary/Treasurer
Richard Rector serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the RCA formulating committee, bringing decades of educational and ministry experience to the role. With 23 years of teaching high school math and science in rural schools, Richard has devoted his career to shaping young minds while nurturing their academic and spiritual development. A Christian for over 60 years, Richard believes that a continually growing faith creates meaningful opportunities to impact the lives of others. This conviction has fueled his passionate support for Christian schooling, which he views as essential in providing students with environments where they can both deepen their faith and freely express their Christian beliefs. Richard's commitment to service extends throughout his community. For the past 20 years, he has been actively involved in children's and teens ministry at the Church of The Nazarene. His church involvement also includes serving in the food ministry and the music/worship ministry, where he shares his love of singing. Beyond the church walls, Richard volunteers his time preparing and distributing meals to senior citizens and working with local food distribution organizations to serve those in need. When he's not volunteering or serving on the RCA formulating committee, Richard enjoys pursuing his creative interests, including basket weaving, growing orchids, and singing.