Mrs. Elizabeth, one of our teachers at Pittman Park Education Center, died tragically in an automobile accident this past Saturday. After hearing the news, I was shocked and quickly began to scramble to figure out how to care for our Education Center staff and students, and offer support to everyone affected…all while trying to deal with my own grief.

If I’m honest, Mrs. Elizabeth’s passing has hit us all pretty hard. I have often said that death always brings chaos with it. That has proven true once again. But amid the chaos, there are signs of hope—tears, sweet conversations, hugs, moments of reflecting and remembering, all that lead toward healing.

Healing won’t happen in an instant, it may take months, perhaps even years. Still, the hope we have in Jesus Christ is that we have the Spirit to comfort and surround us, a Savior who is going before us to prepare a place for us, and a Father who welcomes us into his loving arms.

Friends, I don’t know what grief you are walking through, what pain you may be experiencing, or what trials you are facing, but I do know that God has not abandoned us and is working all things, even the tragedies that life brings, together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Please keep our students, families, and staff in your prayers.

God bless,
Jonathan Smith
For Jesus. For People. For Community.