Hope & A Future
Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) recently released a new report called the "2025 Hope and A Future" report. This report (authored by Brad Wilcox, Professor of Sociology and Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia) examines the current state of the American dream, particularly in Ohio. It’s an interesting read and one we wanted to share with you all (link below). The report reveals the negative effects the collapse of the family unit and a decline in marriage have had in Ohio and across America. There’s also an interesting “Family Structure Index” which gives a ranking to all 50 states according to the health of their family culture.
A summary of Wilcox’s report is that he highlights a decline in belief in the American dream, with only one in three U.S. adults feeling it still holds true, (a decrease from half in 2012). This decline is attributed not only to economic factors but also to the deteriorating state of the American family.
In Ohio, the report notes significant challenges: the state ranks third in deaths of despair (suicide, drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning), 15th in child poverty with 17% of children living below the poverty line, and falls in the bottom quintile for hope. Additionally, Ohio stands 29th on the Family Structure Index, which assesses marriage rates, family stability, and fertility.
The report emphasizes the strong correlation between family stability and positive outcomes in education, poverty reduction, child well-being, public safety, and economic mobility. It also raises concerns about declining fertility rates and their potential impact on Ohio's demographic future.
To address these issues, the report suggests a series of public policies and civic measures aimed at strengthening marriage and family life across Ohio. These recommendations are directed towards the legislature, businesses, churches, and families, with the goal of ensuring that every Ohioan has the opportunity to achieve a "better, richer, and happier life" as envisioned in the American dream.
This is another interesting data set which reinforces something we already know…the family unit is very important! While it’s not a surprise to see data supporting the fact that a life aligned with God’s word is good (and leads to more desirable outcomes!), it’s a stark reminder of the consequences of a life that isn’t. Our mission here is to support that key role our families have, so we want to leave you with some practical steps to keep leading intentionally in your home!
1. Family Devotions: Set aside time each day to read Scripture together, discuss its meaning, and pray as a family. This could be a morning ritual, during dinner, or before bedtime. Our staff have added monthly devotional plans your family can use in the Calvary app if you aren’t sure where to start. You’ll be able to find annual plans and monthly devotional plans that we recommend.
2. Model Prayer: Pray regularly with your children! Not just in times of need, but in moments of gratitude and joy. Let them hear you pray for them, their futures, and God’s guidance in their lives.
3. Intentional Conversations: Use everyday moments to point back to God’s truth. Whether it’s discussing a challenge at school or talking about current events, lead the conversation towards a biblical perspective.
4. Church Involvement: Regular church attendance as a family is crucial. Show your children the importance of being part of a community of believers and serve together in your church. From time to time, we’ll hear frustrations about church, which may include serving with challenging people, disagreements over a church policy, or differences in preferred style of worship. The main point here is that the church has been established by God as His way for us to be connected and further our walk with Him. It’s simply our job to be obedient to scripture!
5. Personal Growth: The most powerful way to disciple your children is to live out your own faith authentically. Children will see this!
View the CCV “Hope & A Future” report here → Family Structure Index | CCV
Chasing Trophies
Like most of America, our family watched the recent Super Bowl (even though we don’t like either of the teams in it…Go Browns). Winning that game, of course, is the pinnacle of success in the football world, the ultimate dream realized. But time and again, the quarterbacks who reach that mountaintop have admitted that the victory, fame, and the championship ring didn’t bring them the fulfillment they thought it would.
It's interesting to hear people like Tom Brady from years past, after winning multiple Super Bowls, who famously said in a 60 Minutes interview:
"Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what it is. I reached my goal, my dream, my life.’ Me, I think, ‘God, it’s gotta be more than this.’"
Kurt Warner, another Super Bowl champion, shared a similar sentiment:
"You think that if you accomplish something, if you reach a certain status, then you will finally be fulfilled. But I realized that success on the field wasn’t going to bring me the purpose and meaning I was looking for—that only came through my relationship with Jesus."
These words from the best in the game remind us of a powerful truth: earthly achievements, no matter how great, can never fill the God-shaped void in our hearts.
It’s a good reminder to make sure we are budgeting our time towards priorities that have an eternal impact. We’re blessed to have that very privilege as we help students cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The world constantly tells us that success, trophies, and accolades will bring us lasting joy. But we know that true fulfillment comes only from knowing Christ.
Paul put it this way in Philippians 3:8:
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
We love academics, athletics, clubs, art, and achievements from any endeavor. They are gifts from God. But the achievements themselves cannot be the primary goal. Our co-mission between our school and your family is to shape these students into young men and women who see their worth not in what they accomplish, but in who they are in Christ.
My encouragement is to use this example as a conversation starter with your child this week. Ask them about their goals. Maybe they’ve never thought about setting goals before! What do they want to achieve this year? Maybe a few years from now? Maybe by the end of their high school career? Is it something academic focused? Club focused? A goal towards a certain spiritual discipline? What do they hope that achievement brings them? That can be a great conversation and an important reminder for these students that Jesus wants our hearts. He wants us to be a light for Him in our sphere of influence (whatever it is we are doing), and He cares about our journey as we follow Him; not just the achievements that may come as a result of our work!
As parents, educators, and leaders, we get to invest in something far greater than trophies. We are shaping hearts and minds for eternity. And that’s worth far more than any Super Bowl ring.
So as we watch the big games and celebrate the incredible athletic achievements on display, let’s remember: the greatest victory has already been won, not on a field, but on the cross.
And that victory in Christ is the only one that truly satisfies.