BVM Ministry Partnership Grant: Deanna’s Montessori—But God Ministries
BVM Deanna Randall passed away in February 2019. Through her passion for teaching she touched the lives of her many young students and the Jonestown community.
A Lesson in Principles
In 2010, Stan Buckley took an exploratory trip to Haiti. As Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss., he wanted to see first-hand the devastation caused by the earthquake in January of that year. Overwhelmed, he felt called to act. “I realized that it was impossible for me to build a sustainable community in Haiti . . . but God can!” Within a year, they built over 100 houses, water wells, a medical/dental complex, and more. Moved by the experience, Stan resigned as Pastor, and launched But God Ministries (BGM), and committed to the mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ through building sustainable communities around the world. Currently, they have three sustainable communities—two in Haiti and one in the United States.
Stan planned to bring his experience to his home state of Mississippi. In his book, But God, Stan shares how he “always had in the back of [his] mind that [he] would go to Haiti, learn some principles . . . and come back . . . after all, we have a few problems of our own.” Where in Mississippi would he begin? Stan and BGM Managing Director Rusty Hall drove through the Delta area praying for God’s leading. They met with the director of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi who suggested they meet with “Sister Teresa” at the Jonestown Family Center. And so, they did.
A Convergence of Purpose
Teresa Shields, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, taught with BVMs at Immaculate Conception school in Clarksdale, Miss. When Immaculate Conception closed in 1990, and St. Gabriel soon after, Teresa started several educational programs in Jonestown, Miss. With the help of grants, Teresa and two volunteers purchased a former crack house on Main Street and transformed it into the Jonestown Learning Center (JLC). Deanna (Mariel) Randall, BVM, came to teach at JLC in 1998. Deanna, a Montessori administrator, director, and teacher, had brought her expertise and learning materials. Soon, they realized that she needed her own building—and built one to Deanna’s specifications. Deanna trained two local preschool teachers who went on to receive their International Montessori credentials and started a full-day program for three-year-olds through kindergarten. The learning center was renamed the Jonestown Family Center for Education and Wellness as an incorporated province ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, U.S.— Ontario Province.
In 2012, Deanna retired to Mount Carmel, in Dubuque, Iowa. A year later, she returned to attend the 20th anniversary celebration of the family center and was surprised to learn the school was renamed Deanna’s Montessori School in her honor.
A Sharing of Passions
But God Ministries committed to helping Teresa and began to minister to the people of Jonestown, investing their time, energy, and money. In 2017, Jonestown became its headquarters. Teresa, wanting to retire, asked if they would be interested in acquiring the school. In April 2018, BGM officially acquired the Jonestown Family Center from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
A Heart to Provide
Throughout this time, BVMs have maintained their relationship with Deanna’s Montessori School. The school recently received its third grant recommended by BVM Jackie (John Kathleen) Cramer. Jackie believes that But God Ministries lives the vision and values of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “The Deanna Montessori program actively promotes the educational development of children in an atmosphere of freedom in inquiry and participation that is particularly characteristic of the Montessori approach.” She continues, “the staff is professionally trained in Montessori principles and Sister Deanna Randall trained the director . . . I wholeheartedly endorse a 2021 BVM Ministry Grant for But God Ministries in support of the Deanna Randall Montessori program. I know Deanna endorses it!”
A Call to Partnership
The Montessori school continues to offer a full-day, pre-K program and provides healthy meals and snacks, which is critical for little ones in the “food desert” town. In their BVM Ministry Partnership Grant application, they share, “[we] strive to impact education and health opportunities in Jonestown. Our programs help students develop their full potential, physically, mentally, and emotionally and gives their parents access to a quality alternative education method they would not otherwise have access to.”
The Sisters of Charity, BVM are pleased to partner in ministry with But God Ministries through Deanna’s Montessori School. The grant will benefit the impoverished children of Jonestown, in their early childhood programs and assist in paying teachers’ salaries, gas for school busses, school supplies, and general operational expenses. Perhaps BGM’s Rusty Hall says it best, “The Sisters of Charity of BVM and BGM share common core values in sharing the love of Jesus at the community level, which is an undeniable bond all for the glory of God.”
To learn more about Deanna’s Montessori and But God Ministries, visit: https://www.butgodministries.com/.
This story was featured in:
WINTER 2022: CELEBRATING THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN
In this issue of Salt, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary adapt and thrive during the pandemic, use their gifts in ministry in ways that carry out the BVM core values, express gratitude to supporters and donors, and take strides to preserve BVM history.
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