Archives for March 2015

APOLOGETICS, SUMMER COURSE 2015

Thoughtful people, compassionate answers

COURSE DESCRIPTION: C. S. Lewis said, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

Apologetics is investigating the truth of Christianity. It is the art and science of knowing WHAT you believe and WHY you believe it and, additionally, being able to share this both sensitively and persuasively. With this as the overarching goal, students in this course will investigate many of the objections raised against Christianity and develop considered responses to these obstacles. It is expected that students will be forced to wrestle with some of the most difficult questions confronting theologians, pastors and “regular” Christians, come to conclusions, and practice articulating their position verbally and in writing in a prayerful, encouraging and sharpening environment. This is not to say that all the deep questions of the faith will be answered, but students will become more knowledgeable on all sides of the issues and they will be given opportunity to explore, research and debate thoughtful and God-honoring responses.

INSTRUCTORS:

Mr. Jay Lovelace has been on staff at Westlake since 2011. He currently teaches Bible classes in Apologetics, Bibliology, and Theology, and has previously taught Old and New Testament Surveys, and The Life of Christ, as well as Mathematics and Algebra I. Additionally, since September 2013, Mr. Lovelace has been the senior Pastor of Gages Lake Bible Church. He also leads the weekly Youth group at GLBC and participates in the Worship Team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Pensacola Christian College. He enjoys playing sports and watching sci-fi. He has been married for 10 years to Cheyenne, a stay-at-home mom. Together they have 3 children, all boys, ranging from <1 to 8 years old. Mr. Lovelace may be contacted by email ([email protected]), phone or text (847) 848-5503.

Mr. Kurt Flemming has been on staff at Westlake since 2000. He currently teaches Bible classes in Romans, James and Worldview, and has previously taught Old and New Testament Surveys, Apologetics, Bible Study Skills, Systematic Theology, The Gospel of John, Genesis, and Parables, as well as Honors Chemistry and Honors Physics. Additionally, since 2007 Mr. Flemming has been Discipleship Director at Westlake, overseeing chapels, the senior mission trip and the general spiritual life of the school. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics and a master’s degree in Christian Studies from Trinity International University. He is an ordained deacon in the Church of the Nazarene and has served on staff at his church in Mundelein since 1996. He enjoys playing and coaching basketball. He has been married to Vickie, who is a nursing assistant, for 25 years. He and Mrs. Flemming have three children; one in elementary school, one in high school, and one in college. Mr. Flemming may be contacted by email ([email protected]), phone or text (224)-622-5752.

TEXTBOOK(S): 5 Minute Apologist, Dr. Rick Cornish. Nav Press, Colorado Springs 2005. ISBN 978-1-57683-505-0

DATES: Monday, June 15 through Thursday, July 24, 2015.

TIMES: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Class will not meet on Fridays.

GRADING AND CREDIT: Students will earn a grade based on a 4.0 scale. Credit will be awarded by Westlake Christian Academy. A transcript may be requested by following the link at www.westlakechristian.org

Cost: $195

For a printable course description click here: APOLOGETICS

Register Here

Westlake’s academic team came home with a second-place trophy from the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) North Chicago sectional Academic Competition at Vernon Hills High School Friday, March 13th.

Representing Westlake in the small-school division of the WYSE contest were:

• Seniors John Mark Clevenger (from Round Lake Beach), Carter Fabrie (Gurnee), and Sarah Newell (Libertyville)
• Juniors Chloe Calderon (Zion), Abby Flemming (Mundelein), Ian Gilbert (Lindenhurst), Jake Olsen (Wauconda), Kayla Ruchti (Gurnee), Mady Sensenig (Grayslake), and August Smith (Grayslake)
• Sophomores Hannah Nalewajk (Round Lake) and Karis Wentz (Grayslake)

The contest consisted of competitive tests in the subjects of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Graphics, English, Math, and Physics. Each Westlake student competed in two subjects.

Having placed in Friday’s sectional competition qualifies the team to advance to the April 17 WYSE state-wide competition at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

Highest test scores resulted in medals:

• John Mark Clevenger, first place in English (tie)
• Abby Fleming, first place in Physics and third place in biology
• Hannah Nalewajk, second place in Physics
• Kayla Ruchti, third place in Engineering Graphics
• August Smith, first place in English (tie) and third place in Physics
• Karis Wentz, third place in English

WYSE is sponsored by the University of Illinois. WYSE’s purpose is to advance excellence in science and mathematics and to promote careers in engineering and the sciences. The Academic Challenge is designed to motivate talented high school students to greater achievement. Westlake’s purpose in participating in the competition is to give students opportunity to honor God by demonstrating their deep knowledge in significant academic subjects.

On March 14, Westlake Christian Academy, located in Grayslake, Illinois, sent two teams to the Chicago Regional Robotics competition. Westlake Christian Academy’s Middle School team – T.E.D. – took home the overall 1^st Place Trophy and a place in the National Competition to be held at the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth. The High School team – S.A.J. (pronounced “sage”) – took home 2^nd place in the Poster Competition that included a technical interview by judges

Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, over 100 local teams spent months preparing to enter the competition by building Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The competition, named for the famous submarine USS Perch, requires the teams to complete an obstacle course comprised of six underwater 22 inch hoops, a finesse course requiring the manipulation of three separate underwater devices, and a poster competition which entails every team member explaining the concepts, components and design options used in building their underwater ROV to Navy and Civilian Engineer judges.

Held at the Naval Station Great Lakes Recruit Training Command Pool, the competition was divided into High School and Middle School teams with one coming as far as Minnesota to compete. Out of more 100 teams that were registered, 60 made it to the Regional Competition and attempted the three difficult phases of the event. Westlake’s Middle School team, T.E.D., dominated the competition by placing 1st in finesse, 2nd in poster, and 3rd in obstacle to achieve the overall 1st place trophy.

Team T.E.D. is excited about competing at the national level, however the cost of the trip plus entry fees is $1500. If you’re interested in supporting T.E.D’s excellence and help them compete on May 29th in Massachusetts, please click here.