Published August 29, 2024

by Lanna Ingram

Why I’m Here

Since this is my first year being in this role, I want you all to know a little more about me. My name is Lanna Ingram. I am a proud alumna of Bethel Christian School. I graduated from Bethel Christian in 2016, and afterwards went on to Louisiana Tech to get a Master’s degree in Business Administration. I got a job working at an accounting firm. I enjoyed that job. I liked the relationships I built with clients. I loved the people I worked with. But there was something that I felt was missing. I started seeking God’s direction for my life.

One night during prayer, I told God I wanted to be closer. I heard the Lord speak, “Take the first step, and I will do the rest.” I took that instruction and wanted to apply it. The next day at work, my boss came into my office and began talking to me about God confirming things to us as Christians. He said that sometimes after God tells us something that He will allow you to hear it again from a person to let you know that God meant what He said. He then said, “I need to tell you that if you will take the first step, God will do the rest.” I sat there speechless at what I just heard my boss say.

After he left my office, I praised God for confirming to me what I needed to do. I was searching for the right path. Not long after that, I felt the Lord tell me to call Bethel Christian to see if they needed any help. It was early August when I called on a lunch break. The administrator said they were hiring, and that they needed someone who had a master’s degree that could help with payroll. I was shocked. Not only did I have a master’s degree, but I just got a year of experience in finance and payroll. I knew what I had to do. I went back to work that day and put in my two-week notice; just in time for the first day of school.

I taught my first two years at Bethel. My first year was so much fun. I led a theater program where I got to see kids get excited about sharing the Gospel on a stage. I led chapels for all ages. I remember the first chapel in high school, every student stayed after class to have prayer. I saw God moving, and I was so excited. I knew I came here for a reason.

During my second year, my mom got drastically sick, which is a miracle story for another time. I taught part time to be able to help her. At the end of my second year, I wasn’t sure if God wanted me to stay. After much prayer, I was approached by the administrator. She told me she wanted me to pray about being the new leader at the school.

I only have the best intentions. I can honestly say that this school has helped me in so many ways. I am so blessed to even be a part of it. The faculty and staff here are like a big family. The sweet presence of God is in our classrooms. I get to tell the next generation about God and His great love for them. I found where God was leading me. I found joy in the process. That is why I am here.