Lustre News
Beacon Bible Camp began June 14, for the junior camp, and junior high (incoming grades 7-9) begin on Father’s Day, June 21.
The theme for Senior Camp at Beacon Bible Camp this week was “Finding God in an AI-Driven World.” Jory and Hannah Wall were the main co-speakers. Jory is the son of Harvey and Karen Wall and grandson of the late Irvin and Amanda Wall of Lustre. Topics covered Monday by guests Justin and Kim Klatt were seeking truth and wisdom.
What a blessing to see green fields and pastures again after a generous inch of rain last week, followed by 1-3 tenths occasionally this week. We are thankful to see the farmers back in their fields planting and enjoyed watching a cattle drive one morning. Venus, Jupiter and Mercury were in our northern skies on Thursday, visible with the naked eye. The lightning from earlier storms in the week put nitrogen into the soil and the storms went east.
Lustre Christian High School’s annual meeting and the LCHS Foundation meetings were held consecutively at LCHS on Sunday June 7. The alumni met before these.
The meeting was called to order and Pastor Frank Lenihan opened in prayer and a devotional. He read
Mark 10:14, Proverbs 22:6 and Psalm 145:4. “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty deeds.” He talked of the “opportunity for students to learn from us, to be mentored and walk the journey together” because “we are stewards of the children on loan to us”. He explained the characteristics of Gen Z showing “Gen Z was not raised in the world we were raised in” as he compared it to the other generations.
The implications having “a constant awareness of global concerns but not understanding the background whys” or “being a mile wide and 1/2 inch deep” were shown alongside the “way God meets those needs — needs to be connected, valued intrinsically for who they are, worthy of being loved within relationships that are natural and informal, needing mentoring individually.” “They need to hear good news of what God is doing.” He encouraged showing how “God is active and present in the struggles from the Bible.” “Every generation struggles to understand the generation coming up, but God is faithful to help us. Don’t drop the baton.”
The theme of thankfulness was expressed throughout the meeting. Minutes of the 2025 meeting were accepted as read. Chairman Justin Klatt thanked Wes Young for “filling the big gap, ruddering the ship when most needed.”
He thanked the teachers, and reported the English teacher position has been filled. He expressed a “huge thanks those who donated finances, coal, gas, time and energy and for those who came to help, even parttime.” Marshall Mullet, and Brandt and Lynn Unrau were singled as going above and beyond their duties when duties mushroomed. Klatt said “I had a great group of guys to work with to meet the challenges facing the board.”
Each of the board members reported on their 202526 responsibilities, expressing great thankfulness for people and the various sources of finances for which they are so thankful. Curt Neufeld (buildings) said, “Only the Lord knew how much we would need the new generator with this year’s power outages. The fire alarms are being updated.” Jerry Fast (yard maintenance) thanked Ken Zerbe for spending many hours last summer to install the donated boiler. Darin Pankratz (vehicles) thanked drivers and those who donated gas. Mike Hilkemann (housing) explained the renovations made possible on two faculty homes. Jeff Damboise reported on the technology and the web development. A three-member alumni committee of Becca Reddig, Kaitlyn Brown and Clayton Zerbe will direct the web development.
Non-board positions reported on their responsibilities. Administrator Wes Young said the pastor’s choice of “How do we become firmly planted” from Psalm 1:1-3 for the theme of chapel times translated to all the teachers and coaches using it to teach the students in their fields, with the idea of planting deeply into their lives.
He described the positive things of the school year: “the student-led worship times in chapel, the daily morning faculty prayer time, Brian Young coming to teach four days on special topics. Meridith Reddig and Lisa Neufeld taught math, Pastor Wayne Hathaway and Melissa Cumpios taught history when teachers were needed. Jen Zerbe did an amazing job on the online English class. Her research opened the possibility of dual enrollment.”
He noted the student’s accomplishments this year, second at state in track and in second at state in basketball. Academic Olympics and math competitions were successful with the leadership of Nikki Hilkemann and Lisa Neufeld. The principal has been hired, Mr. Cummins. Hailey Bell will be the English teacher. Young thanked the board for working on policies that “helps in structure and culture of the school and will help new teachers adjust”.
The chapel room is being upgraded in much needed ceiling repair by former dorm parent, Lucas Lorenz and alumnus Bryan Ewing this month. Wes and Joy Young (dorm committee) reported the dorm parents, Jones and Melissa Cumpios, are coming back for their third year. He expressed gratefulness for the stability on the dorm committee that Jean Toews brings, the “wisdom beyond their years” brought by Michael and Kaitlyn Brown and for those who sign up for the Monday-night dorm nights out when dorm students are invited to homes, letting dorm students be part of the community. He and Joy expressed thankfulness for Bob Schiller painting and repairing the dorm last summer, and the carpet in the dorm donated by the Daryl Toews Memorial.
LCHS now has a 403B plan from a company that provides retirement plans for non-profits.
Young said, “We give God our rags. God does it. Answering a call to serve our students is an offering of obedience. This is God’s place. It’s a privilege to be here. It’s His place. He’s proved Himself worthy of our trust and our obedience. Your service is a beautiful offering of obedience.” He thanked those who prayed for him daily.
Curt and Lisa Neufeld (Schmeckfest) reported that nearly 700 people attended Schmeckfest, quoting Ephesians 3:20. “To Him be all the glory.” Curt commended the servant attitude of the junior high and high school students and how it encouraged him to have “a different view of Schmeckfest: We’re here to serve others!” He talked of the changing dynamics in the corporate business structures in promotion.
Grant Zerbe (foundation chair) reported. He explained the SSO scholarship program with the new federal tax credit program where alumni can give an SSO designated for LCHS and get federal tax credits for 2028. “It’s paid Jan. 2, 2027, a year ahead, and it shows up on the 2028 tax return.” He reported parents’ 529 college plans can be used for high school education. It doesn’t require folks to live in Montana to do this, as it is a federal program.
The current projects being done by LCHS are a science lab, the chapel ceiling, and phase 2 of “the generator project.” The funding sources were explained with real gratitude.
Elections were held for two board members at-large positions. Jeff Damboise was elected for a second term. Justin Klatt chose not to run another term and Jared Holzrichter was elected in his place.
Clayton Zerbe presented the budget which passed. He said “What a blessing to have The LCHS Foundation.” He explained the dynamics of on-line courses, and the potentials with 1) catching up on course work by international students and 2) “dual enrollment made possible so our students could take up to seven credits in Montana based colleges free while in high school.”
The foundation meeting followed, chaired by Grant Zerbe. He commended the LCHS board in its commitment to work together for the benefit of the school, regardless of challenges. He encouraged those reaching the age of 73 to donate their required IRA distribution to LCHS, instead of cashing it out and paying taxes on it. He reported on the foundation’s donation to LCHS by way of the yearly grant. Pastor Frank Lenihan closed in prayer.
