experience versus just another class they “had” to take. I think we succeeded. To this day I get a kick out of former students reminding of the various “simulations” we would run in class. What a ride it was to be on the front lines of new growth that Shiloh experienced over the next four years. Gus Malzahn was our football coach and was taking the school to athletic heights we’d never known, including multiple state championships. A new principal had taken the reigns of leadership and Dr. Clarence “Chick” Holland became a fast friend and mentor in my life. In the same way the school was growing, he encouraged me to grow personally, by pursuing my doctorate. I was reluctant. My job kept me incredibly busy, plus my two kids, Garrett and Madison, were now enrolled in Shiloh elementary so Julie and I were also busy parents. But Dr. Holland was insistent, providing the space in my schedule on the school side to make it possible. 01 But with growth comes growing pains. 02 After four years at Shiloh the Lord revealed to me that it could be time to move on. I was pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to teach Bible forever, as much as I loved the students, parents, and my colleagues. Several churches reached out to me but nothing came of it. Then Pastor Ronnie Floyd approached me. FBC Springdale was doing something new. Something bold. A second campus in the Pinnacle Hills area of Rogers. Would I consider leaving Shiloh and joining the church staff? Everything seemed to come together at that point. I said yes, but it was more difficult than I expected to leave the school I loved. It was an amazing year, that first year on staff at our Pinnacle Hills Campus. I finished my doctorate, Julie was pregnant with our third child, and we were building a house. Then Pastor Floyd came to me again. It was a change your life kind of meeting. The ask: Would I consider (after only one year on the church staff) coming back to Shiloh to serve as the secondary dean? I was floored. I felt unqualified, but the school was continuing DR. JEFF CRAWFORD 19
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