Emerald Mountain Christian School

Knowing that only the truth of God's Word can build Christian character to reform American society and family life, John and Bobbie Ames grieved over the loss of moral absolutes and methodologies, namely Biblical reasoning and old-fashioned logic. Being unwilling to sit back and do nothing, they took their children out of the Perry County School System and started their own little school in Marion, Alabama, in 1965.

They established an educational program built on the Reformed Faith. This Biblical method instills Christian character in our children. They believed then, and believe now, that this is the only way to sustain a Christian Constitutional Republic. Assistance was sought from Verna Hall and Rosalie Slater of the Foundation for American Christian Education to aid in restoring the teaching and learning of true history from the Providential view.

Mrs. Ames and three ladies began the school with six grades and 32 children. Within a few years, the school enrolled over 200 children from a six-county area and added a small girl's dormitory. They also helped others in neighboring counties get their schools off the ground.

In 1977, they moved home to Selma, changed the name to Dallas Christian School and opened on the first floor of the First Bible Baptist Church, rent free. Pastors had asked them to bring the ministry to Selma because there was no school in Dallas County with this type of program. They consented to move the school to Selma. God provided additional teachers and Board members to guide the ministry in Selma.

When the Lord's favor was expressed in great measure by the receiving of a charitable trust income in memory of Kathryn Hoffman and her only son, Daniel, who gave his life in Vietnam, the Board of Trustees suggested that this ministry move to Montgomery in order to increase the outreach potential. In September of 1992, The Hoffman Center opened a model school in Montgomery, Alabama for the Principle Approach. Emerald Mountain Christian School greatly appreciates Faith Presbyterian Church for its cooperation in providing the initial building for us. The school is now located in our facility at 4125 Rifle Range Road at the foot of Emerald Mountain.

The Hoffman Educational Center exists to advance a Biblical world-view and the faith that results from such a view. This task includes the promoting of history, education and character of American Christians, and to educate the public on issues which will protect and equip our children for the future. This ministry has extended its outreach through research and writing, as well as through seminars to other schools and churches.

Over the 49 year existence of Emerald Mountain Christian School, graduates have excelled in many fields, and have been awarded academic scholarships in amazing numbers.