Thank you for checking out For the Kingdom! I want to share how God moved and breathed For the Kingdom to life. I hope you find great joy in reading this, as it is a joy to share this story of His goodness and faithfulness!

In the Spring of 2014, I felt God nudging me to start a homeschool co-op in the Lee’s Summit area. I tried to push that nudge aside, and even gave God a lot of excuses why I shouldn’t do this. One major obstacle was that I had no experience starting or running a co-op.

As I spoke with some friends to gauge interest, I was surprised to find that their interest was high. As we continued to discuss what FTK could offer, many of them wanted to know what their kids were learning academically while attending  the co-op and to be able to continue those lessons at home. The parents wanted a co-op that would partner with them in their homeschool journey.

After a few more meetings with my friends, God began laying on my heart what HE WANTED in His co-op. That’s when I knew it was something I needed obey and get to work. I got over my fear and began to trust God’s vision, because I LOVED what He had planned. God wanted FTK to be a place where we put Him first, where we start our day as a staff praising Him and praying. He wanted it to be a place where the children begin their day in worship, hearing a message from God, and then praying to Him.

God wanted His co-op to be a place not just where our kids learned and made friends, but a place where our moms and dads were able to find a community, a FAMILY where we could build each other up, carry each other through, and be the hands and feet of Christ to one another. He also made it clear that the program should be affordable for families.

When God revealed these things to me, I couldn’t wait to to serve Him and start this incredible journey that He called me to. Even though I had no experience, God equipped me and He brought amazing women to lead with.  I said yes to God, and For the Kingdom was born. We opened our doors in just 4 short months after saying “yes” in September 2014.

Every year, God moves in mighty ways, and provide in ways that only He can provide. Being a part of the FTK family where we get to serve one another as the hands and feet of Christ is a blessing.  To be a part of a community, a family, that builds each other up and spurs each other on is such an encouragement. He has provided amazing teachers, leaders, volunteers, and students that are such a priceless gift. He has been faithful and so good to His co-op and I can’t praise Him enough for calling me on this journey to be a part of For the Kingdom.

I pray for you as you continue to seek out what is best for your family and hope that next school year I get to welcome you into our For the Kingdom family!

Love in Christ,

Melissa Holstrom, FTK Founder