As the Director of Religious Affairs, we at Briarcrest have an incredible opportunity to reach and educate our students.  Briarcrest is more than simply a school; it is a ministry where students are given the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ up close and personal.

Through chapel programs, Bible studies, mentoring groups, community service opportunities, mission trips and many more activities, we are able to expose our students to the goodness and the relevancy of God. We are training the next generation of leaders to carry these truths into the world.

At Briarcrest Christian School our purpose is clear, we partner with the family to equip and mobilize the student to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Our teachings are distinctively Biblical worldview; we believe that the Bible is the foundation upon which all education rests; in the classroom, on stage, through athletics, and in all extra-curricular activities.

Johnny Allen, Director of Religious Affairs, 901-351-9922, jlallen@briarcrest.com

Our community service involvement was born out of a desire to help students fulfill the Christian call to discipleship and stewardship.  Following the example of Christ, we are called to serve Him by serving others.  At Briarcrest, we give our students many opportunities to serve others, not only in our communities but the world as well. 

In the high school, our biggest service opportunity of the year is our “One Great Day of Service.”  It is a day devoted to service of others.  All the high school students and faculty participate in a variety of service projects throughout the Memphis area. 

In the past, we have visited over 65 agencies: Alzheimer Association, Carestone, Cystic Fibrosis, ICON ministries, LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, Life Choices, Humane Society, Memphis Leadership Foundation, Memphis Union Mission, Pink Palace, Senior Services, Youth Villages, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Calvary Rescue Mission, Barlett Animal Hospital, First Works, Hands on Memphis, Lichterman Nature Center, MIFA, Neighborhood Christian Center, Cerebral Palsy, Baptist Children’s Home, Bent Tree Hope Center, The Country Place, For the Kingdom,  Impact Ministries, Kirby Pines, Family Shelter, Moriah House, Shine in the Dark, Arthritis Foundation, Multi-national Ministries, Bibles for China, Clovernook, Holy Community Church, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Botanical Garden, Mid-South Arc, Miracle Baptist Church, Porter Leath Children’s Center, Salvation Army, The Food Bank, United Way, Youth Visions, and  First Presbyterian Church. 

This year, “One Great Day of Service” will be on October 12th (12th and 11th grades) and March 15th (9th and 10th grades).

 In addition to “One Great Day of Service,” we provide our students with other opportunities to serve throughout the school year.  We offer all school opportunities whereby all three school divisions (High School, Middle School and Elementary School) participate in donating food, clothes, or toys for various charities.  We also offer high school opportunities for service through Bible Ministries, Bridge Builders and Christian-based Clubs.

*  Bible Ministries is a program of study offered through the Bible Department.  This class meets in the morning before the school day begins, approximately twice a month.  Students are required to have a specific number of contact hours on the mission field, ministering to the needs of others.  Instructional time deals with book studies on the meekness and servanthood and of Christ.

*  Bridge Builders is an organization that is founded on the principle of bridging the differences between students of metropolitan Memphis.  Students in Bridge Builders participate in summer leadership and diversity training programs at the University of Memphis.