PCA North Life Stories

Prestonwood Christian Academy North Seventh Grade students recently had the opportunity to hear from Pastor Afshin Ziafat, who shared his remarkable journey of coming to faith in Christ after growing up in a devout Muslim home. Born in Houston and raised for part of his childhood in Iran, Pastor Ziafat described how a Christian English tutor planted the first seed of the gospel in his life. As he told students, "She handed me a small New Testament, and she said, 'You're not going to understand this now, but promise me you'll hold onto it and read it when you're older.'" Ten years later, that small book became the turning point that led him to explore Scripture for himself.

Pastor Ziafat went on to share the cost of choosing to follow Christ, including being disowned by his father as a teenager. He described the internal struggle he faced and the moment when, in desperation, he opened his Bible and read Jesus' words in the book of Matthew. "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33) Those verses strengthened his resolve and taught him what it truly means to trust God above all else. His testimony gave students a powerful example of courage, conviction, and God's faithfulness in the middle of hardship.

The class had been creating their own plans for sharing their faith with others, and Pastor Ziafat encouraged students to live out their faith with intentionality, especially when sharing the gospel with people who come from different religious backgrounds. He reminded them that effective witness begins with genuine love. He encouraged students to do exactly what his former English tutor had done all those years ago. She got to know him, prayed for him, listened well, and shared what Christ had done in her life. His message not only deepened students' understanding of world religions but also inspired them to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and boldy share the good news of the gospel.

Classes of Lower School students, dressed in festive Thanksgiving outfits, gathered recently for their annual Thanksgiving Feast. This time-honored tradition has become a beloved November staple at Prestonwood Christian Academy North, dating back to the school's very first year. And each year, it grows a little more. What once was a simple meal that fit the entire Lower School into one room has now expanded so much that it requires two separate lunch seatings!

One aspect that students especially love is the special seating arrangement. Throughout the school year, our youngest Lions are paired with older "Book Buddies" who support their reading efforts and help them build strong early literacy skills. A highlight of the Feast is getting to sit with those buddies and enjoy the meal together. Older students could be seen opening water bottles and applesauce pouches for their younger friends—small but meaningful acts of service that not only nurture the younger ones, but also help the older students grow as leaders and mentors, reflecting the heart of our school community.

As with every PCA event, the celebration began with prayer. Student volunteers led the room in The Lord’s Prayer, and the day concluded with students lifting their voices in the Doxology.

A beloved fall tradition, the Thanksgiving Feast simply wouldn't be possible without our dedicated parent volunteers. Their hard work in decorating, plating meals, and serving students allows our teachers to enjoy their own Thanksgiving celebration and a much-appreciated break from lunch duty.

This cherished tradition continues to grow and evolve as PCA North expands, but one thing remains constant: our deep gratitude to the Lord for all He has given us and for the special place our students get to call their school.

 

With American flags waving and cheers filling the gym, students welcomed veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders to Prestonwood Christian Academy North's USA Pep Rally on November 7. The afternoon began with a heartfelt reception hosted by NJHS students, who warmly welcomed guests and shared their appreciation for the men and women who have faithfully served our country.

Among the honored guests was Mr. Johnny G. Rothfus, Jr., a 101-year-old World War II veteran whose story is deeply inspiring. Born on October 25, 1924, Mr. Rothfus grew up on a family farm with 11 siblings and graduated from Prosper High School in 1943. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His military journey took him to Foggia Air Force Base in Italy, where he served as a tail gunner aboard a B-24 bomber with the 98th Bombardment Group.

Over the course of 18 missions, Mr. Rothfus demonstrated extraordinary courage. On his fourth mission, his plane was struck by anti-aircraft fire, forcing the crew to bail out over Yugoslavia. Thankfully, all of the airmen survived and were later reunited with their units. For his service, Mr. Rothfus received numerous honors, including the Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, a Purple Heart, the EAME with Silver Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Overseas Bar. After returning home in 1945, Mr. Rothfus continued his life of service as a Dallas firefighter for 27 years. He is listed with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

Following the reception, guests joined PCA North students and staff in the gym for the USA Pep Rally, which included the 5th Grade Choir performing the National Anthem and a medley of military fight songs in tribute to each branch of service. The energy, music, and school spirit created a powerful atmosphere of gratitude and pride as the community came together to honor those who protect and defend our freedoms.

 

Students from Prestonwood Christian Academy North's Class of 2026 spent their morning serving lunch to senior adults during the First Thursday Luncheon, a monthly gathering hosted by Prestonwood Baptist Church's Senior Adult Ministry. With cheerful smiles and helping hands, the students welcomed guests, filled plates, and shared friendly conversation, making the luncheon a special time of fellowship for everyone who attended.

This act of service gave students an opportunity to step outside the classroom and live out PCA's core value of servanthood. Many of the senior citizens appreciated the warmth and enthusiasm the students brought to the event, and the students, in turn, expressed how meaningful it was to give back to members of their extended Prestonwood family.

Moments like these highlight the heart of PCA North's student community. Whether they are leading on the field, in the classroom, or through acts of service, these seniors are setting an example of Christlike leadership and compassion—showing that true greatness is found in serving others.

Prestonwood Christian Academy North's First Grade students transformed into young scientists during a fun, fall-themed learning adventure called The Great Pumpkin Investigation! With clipboards in hand, wide eyes, and curious minds, they explored how God designed pumpkins through a series of hands-on experiments.

The young investigators began collecting data by asking, "How tall is your pumpkin?" Using colorful snap cubes, they first made predictions, stacking the cubes as high as they thought their pumpkins might be. Once everyone had a guess, it was time to test! Each student carefully lined their tower of cubes next to their pumpkin to compare and measure, then recorded their findings.

Next, students examined the pumpkins' bright orange surfaces, counting the number of stripes and noticing how each one was unique. They also used pieces of string to estimate how round their pumpkins were, wrapping the string around and checking to see if their guesses matched the actual measurement.

It was then time to test weight. Students made thoughtful predictions about how heavy their pumpkins might be before placing them on a scale to see the results. Laughter and excitement filled the hallway as they used a hair dryer to see if a pumpkin could be blown over!

The scientists also rolled up their sleeves to take a look inside. They identified the parts of the pumpkin—the stem, rind, pulp, and seeds—and made one last prediction: How many seeds are inside? After scooping, sorting, and counting, they discovered just how many little treasures were hidden within.

Perhaps the most surprising experiment came with the question: Does a pumpkin sink or float? Most students hypothesized that a pumpkin would sink, and they were amazed when it was placed into a tub of water and floated right to the surface!

It was a day full of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning that these little Lions are sure to remember!