More Than Just Education: One Family's Intentional Choice

A conversation with Gavin Merwin, CCA parent, CTO of YOSS, and monthly donor

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As Community Christian Academy celebrates 25 years of faith-based education, we're asking 300 partners to join The 25 for 25 Monthly Giving Circle. We sat down with Gavin Merwin, CCA parent and CTO of YOSS, to learn why he's committed to giving $25/month and why he's asking others to join him.

Gavin recently committed to The 25 for 25 Monthly Giving Circle with a $25/month gift. Below, he shares why he's asking 300 others to join him.

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How did you get involved with CCA and why?

My connection to CCA runs deep. It's woven into both my professional life and my family's story. YOSS, the firm I serve as CTO for, has been involved with CCA since day one, 25 years ago. Terry Moore, our CEO, who's like a father to me, and his wife Teresa, the school's superintendent, have made CCA central to their lives. Their children attended CCA, and now Abby Moore (our best friend, along with her husband Stanton) works there in marketing and fundraising.

But it was my little brother Carson's story that really opened my eyes to CCA's transformative power. Carson transferred from public school to CCA during his ninth-grade year. We had a very tough childhood, and CCA gave him something he desperately needed. Today he's thriving. He's married to AnnaRae, who teaches at CCA, and her family, the Fullers, are deeply involved with the school.

I've always been "around CCA" through these connections, but when my daughter Emma Claire was old enough for 3K in 2023, my wife Jess and I had to make an intentional decision. I did a lot of thinking and praying about where God wanted our children, and we realized we wanted more than just education. We wanted the environment as the cornerstone for education. At CCA, Emma Claire learns as much about Jesus as she does about reading and math.

Recently, as I've watched the direction of our culture and considered the world my children will inherit, something clicked. I realized how precious and important small, private, Christian education truly is, not just for our family, but for our entire community. That's when I got very involved in helping with fundraising and supporting the school's mission.

"We wanted more than just education. We wanted a Christian environment as the cornerstone for education."

How would you describe CCA to someone who's never heard of the school?

CCA is a small, private, Christian school in South Georgia where academics and faith development go hand-in-hand. What makes it special is the family atmosphere. As a parent, I have tremendous access to my children, their teachers, and real input into their daily lives. It's an environment where kids are known, loved, and challenged to grow in both knowledge and character.

Can you share a specific story or moment when you saw the impact of CCA's Christ-centered approach in your child's life?

Recently, during a family Bible study, we were talking about John the Baptist and his role in the Christmas story. Emma Claire, who's only five, suddenly said, "Yeah, his dad couldn't talk until he was born." Jess and I looked at each other, thinking she must be confused, but we looked it up, and sure enough, the angel took Zechariah's voice away until John was born because he didn't believe. Emma Claire knew the story better than we did.

That's just one of many moments that have blown me away. And here's the thing: academics are important, but being a well-rounded, kind person matters so much more. Academic achievements fade, but character lasts a lifetime. What matters is how well we love our families and our communities, and our contributions to society. That's what CCA is teaching Emma Claire, and that's what I want for all my children.

"Academic achievements fade, but character lasts a lifetime. What matters is how well we love our families and our communities."

Why do you believe Christian education is worth investing in?

We're living in a different world in 2025, but I'm hopeful about the future if we're intentional. We can't expect society to return to conservative, Christian values on its own. Change happens when we raise children who will impact the world for the better. For our family, Christian education is how we're choosing to plant seeds of faith, character, and values that will bear fruit for generations. Every family has to make the choice that's right for them, and for us, CCA is that choice.

As CCA celebrates 25 years, what makes you most hopeful about the school's future?

I'm hopeful because the mission is more important than ever, and people are recognizing that. There's a hunger among parents for what CCA offers: a place where faith and learning go hand-in-hand. When you combine a proven 25-year track record with fresh energy and commitment from families like ours, the future is bright. I believe the next 12 months are going to be transformational.

What would it mean for CCA to reach 300 monthly donors by December 31?

As a private school, we receive no public funding, so building a strong donor base is essential. I want to help CCA thrive, not just survive, and reaching 300 monthly donors is just the beginning. This milestone means we can invest in excellence: better facilities, more resources, outstanding teachers, and expanded programs. It's about building a sustainable foundation for the next 25 years and ensuring CCA can fulfill its mission at the highest level.

Join Gavin and become one of the 300: Text SOAR to 26989 or Click to Donate!

If you could speak directly to someone considering a gift to CCA, what would you tell them?

Of all the causes out there, positively impacting the future generation (our children) is the champion of all causes. What better soil is there than planting seeds of financial blessing into a private, conservative, Christian education that will ripple into our communities a hundredfold?

Your gift doesn't just impact my family personally. It impacts the families of hundreds of kids at CCA and ensures the school has a strong financial base to continue for another 25 years, even more successfully than the last 25. This is good soil, with accountable and stable leadership, a long track record of delivering on its promises, and an organization worth investing in.

"What better soil is there than planting seeds of financial blessing into a private, conservative, Christian education that will ripple into our communities a hundredfold?"

In one sentence, why does CCA matter?

CCA matters because our world needs quality, kind, Christian leaders, and the best way to give the world those leaders is to provide our children with an excellent academic experience partnered with the values of Christian education.

What does it mean to you that more than half of CCA families receive scholarship assistance?

It means CCA is different. Most private schools are financially out of reach for average families, but CCA has the lowest tuition of all the private schools in our region, and we don't stop there. We offer scholarships because we believe that if a family wants to be at CCA and shares our values, we're going to do everything we can to make it happen. Obviously funding isn't unlimited, but through the generosity of our donors, we're able to open doors that would otherwise be closed. It's a beautiful picture of community: families with resources helping families who need them, all united around raising children who love Jesus and serve others.

Join Gavin in The 25 for 25 Monthly Giving Circle

For 25 years, Community Christian Academy has been an open door for families across South Georgia. This December, we're celebrating this milestone by asking 300 partners to join The 25 for 25 Monthly Giving Circle.

Your monthly gift of $25 (less than $1 per day) directly supports the Soar Fund, providing scholarships for families who choose faith over finances.

Text SOAR to 26989 or Click to Donate!

Help Our Eagles Soar, Donate Today!

Every scholarship opens a door. Every door opened is a child's future transformed.

🦅 Together, We Are CCA Strong.