This week, we welcomed our new Head of School, Jacob Pennekamp to Concordia. It is an exciting time as he begins his new role at CLHS and leads us into the future. It is also bittersweet because that means we are saying goodbye to our previous Principal and Head of School, Mychal Thom.
Mr. Thom, over his 9 years at Concordia, has been a tremendous blessing and leader to the high school. Concordia has accomplished so much during his tenure. Now we look forward to Mr. Pennekamp and seeing his talents and blessings guide and lead us.
This reminds me of Moses and Joshua transitioning leadership in the Old Testament. Moses had many accomplishments: leading the Israelites out of Egypt, receiving the 10 Commandments, and leading the people through the wilderness for 40 days. But we can’t forget that God deserves the credit. He blessed Moses for his faith, gave him strength as a leader, and guided his words when he wasn’t confident in his speaking.
God also blessed Joshua and encouraged him in his early days. In Deuteronomy 34:9, “Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom” following the death of Moses. In Joshua 1, God tells Joshua to be courageous 3 different times, the third time in the familiar verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
As Cadets, we can be confident that this next chapter at Concordia will be amazing because God will be with us. He will be with Mr. Pennekamp as he leads us.
“Living the Gospel … With Christ at the Center” is more than our theme for this school year; it is our reminder that everything we do is for God and to glorify Him.
Before Moses died, he gave a charge to Joshua and the Israelites, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deut. 31:8). We can be confident that the Lord is leading us and goes before us.
So, we thank Mychal Thom for his leadership and guidance. So, in a familiar way that Mr. Thom would end daily announcements on the PA or following devotions before finals for students, I will close this in the same way because it is so fitting: “Go get ‘em!”
God’s blessings on your summer! Go Cadets!
Phil Brackmann,
Dean of Student Success