Slideshow: Bethel Mennonite School seeks to offer higher learning

Mennonite families in Gladys, a small Campbell County community, started a school in the basement of their church in 1974 with 14 students.

Today, teachers at Bethel Mennonite School start each day with a prayer, before 39 students fill the building that was built in 1980 by the hands of church members and friends.

“Our heart is for the children and our heart is for the Lord and we want to see these children grow up to be men and women that can serve their community, that can serve their church, are wanting to really give their lives to the Lord,” says Mary Sue Yoder, who’s been teaching at the school off and on since it opened.

The students don’t study all the time, though.

“We think it’s important that they play together and … learn how to play the right way and get along,” said Jon Zehr, school principal and high school teacher.