A New Chapter

A New Chapter // 4.16.21

Farewell, Shonamons

In 2004, a young couple with three elementary aged children made a journey across the United States to Burleson, Texas. The Shonamon's had been praying about an opportunity where their family could live in the community of a Christian school and church and use their experience as educators to serve. They felt the Lord had distinctly led them to NCA and Fort Worth First, so they sold their home in Indiana and came to Texas. With Coach Steve Shonamon teaching PE and Mrs. Nancy Shonamon teaching 4th grade, the journey began. At that time, NCA had a couple sports teams and had just added 10th grade to their high school program.

As the years progressed, Coach Shonamon began pouring energy into developing the athletic program. The banners on the gym wall tell much of the story. Additionally, the athletic fields we use today are a far cry from the stoney grass field that used to exist. If you ask Coach about that piece of the journey, he will quickly tell you each step of the way was possible due to a church committed to the ministry of the school, a supportive school administrator, and many, many parent volunteers who poured time, energy, and money into developing all of it. He would say, "they really did it all." Over the years, Coach Shonamon has taught a world views Bible class and several different math classes. One highlight of being in his class was listening to his "nuggets" of spiritual insight and challenges.

After teaching elementary the first year, Mrs. Shonamon was later invited into an administrative role as the guidance counselor where she served for 13 years. Developing NCA's dual enrollment program, building programs to support changing graduation requirements, and developing academic support for students who struggle were all part of the passion she brought to NCA. Over the last several years, she successfully served as the school administrator and elementary principal. In these roles, she served faithfully and poured her heart into building the programs at NCA.

After their youngest child graduated from NCA in 2015, the Shonamon family began praying again about what the Lord would want them to do next. For many years, the answer was simply to stay and serve at NCA. Last year, they received an unexpected phone call from family members in Kansas City inviting the Shonamons to partner with a Nazarene church there who desired to start a Christian school in their facility. As the conversations proceeded, it became evident the Lord had begun planting seeds in Nancy's heart that aligned with the mission of this new ministry. In June, Nancy and Steve Shonamon will be relocating to Kansas in another journey of faith.

Words can never express the appreciation of NCA for the invaluable ministry of the Shonamons. Their impact will forever remain with the school and with all the students who have felt, and will continually live out the results of their Godly influence.

Join us in honoring Coach Steve and Nancy Shonamon!

Come & Go Reception

Wednesday, May 12 | 5-7pm

Welcome back, Coach Jesse Erhart & Family

We are thrilled to announce Coach Jesse Erhart as our new Athletic Director! His first day will be Monday, May 3.

Jesse Erhart graduated from Dallas Christian College with a BA in Bible. While attending DCC, he played varsity basketball, played setter for the DCC club volleyball team, and coached the women’s volleyball team to a NCCAA final four appearance. After college, he worked as a house parent with his wife Jamie at Happy Hill Farm and Academy. It was there that he fell in love with six-man football. In five years, the Happy Hill football team won two state championships and was the state-runner up once. He also coached the state semi-finalist varsity volleyball team.

After Happy Hill, Jesse became the athletic director for Glenview Christian School. In three years, the varsity football team appeared in the state finals twice and was a state semi-finalist once. He then moved to Crowley where he was the head varsity football coach for Nazarene Christian Academy. He spent four years with NCA and took the varsity football team to the state semi-finals once.

More recently, he coached junior high and elementary basketball, varsity track, varsity tennis, and varsity football at Lakeland Christian Academy. He was the offensive coordinator for the 2020 TCAF Div. 2 state champions last year at Harvest Christian Academy of Lantana. Jesse is also the TCAF E-Sports commissioner and has served on the board of directors for the league.

Jesse’s passion for Christian athletics stems from a ministry background because it is an opportunity to disciple young people and meet them where they are. He places Christian values above all else and is excited to invest in the lives of the students at NCA.

Jamie Erhart graduated from Dallas Christian College with a BA in Bible and Christian Education. In high school, she played four years of varsity basketball and was a state record holder in the long jump. She was a house parent at Happy Hill Farm and Academy for five years where she ministered to “at risk” teens. She was an elementary teacher at Glenview Christian School and Nazarene Christian Academy. While at Nazarene, she was an assistant coach for Steve Shonamon and won eight state championships with him.

She was also a middle school Bible teacher and girl’s athletic director at Lakeland Christian Academy. While there, the girl’s basketball team was the regional runner-up twice. Jamie has a heart for young people and athletics. She is excited about the many opportunities that God has for her at NCA.

Their daughter, Lucy Erhart, will be a junior in high school next year. She has played basketball, volleyball, and tennis. She is a dedicated student and loves both God and people. She is excited about reconnecting with old friends and playing varsity sports at NCA.

We are excited for this new chapter for NCA and our Lion Family!

Nazarene Christian Academy

2001 E Main St, Crowley, TX 76036

817-736-3113