Video: Local Business Leaders Help Immanuel Christian School Become Independent

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LOWNDES, Miss. (WCBI) — The Immanuel Christian School will soon operate independently of its founding Church. Now a group of concerned parents and businessmen are working together to make sure the separation is a smooth one.

“Nothing is going to change at this school,” says Billy Thomas, an Immanuel Christian School parent and former coach.

Billy Thomas is just one of a group of local businessmen who’ve rallied together to ensure the separation of Immanuel Christian School and Immanuel Church goes off without a hitch.

“What we’re trying to do is, we’re coming together to help with the transition of moving Immanuel Christian School into its own entity. Where it will be owned by itself and will be run by itself,” says Thomas.

Church members recently voted to allow the school to operate on its own. Just last week, the school’s former headmaster, Joe York, abruptly resigned. It’s believed that internal issues between the school and the church may have led to the split. Thomas says it’ll be business as usual during the time of transition.

“We’re one of the most highly accredited schools in the state. Our academics have always been as high or higher than most schools. Our ACT scores, all those things are always going to be the same. Our main purpose is a Christian education,” says Thomas.

Thomas says the group is working daily to help the school become independent but they don’t know when the transition will be official.

“We’d love for it to happen as fast as possible but in any business transaction it takes time to get some things done,” says Thomas.

The school’s name will change and a new 9-member board will be put in place. Immanuel Christian School has about 250 students and is for grades Pre-K through 12.