MPCS Hosted Its Golden Gala at the Fox Theatre of Atlanta in a Grand Fashion
Mount Paran Christian School marked a momentous milestone this past weekend with its 50th Anniversary Golden Gala, a grand celebration held in the historic Egyptian Ballroom of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. The elegant affair brought together 400 members of the MPCS community — including founding families, alumni, faculty, and friends — to commemorate five decades of faith-based education and community impact. Stories were shared from the school’s earliest days in 1976, blending deep nostalgia with excitement for the future.
Emceed by WSB-TV news anchor, Fred Blankenship, the Golden Gala offered guests an unforgettable experience featuring an elegant five-course dinner, heartfelt toasts, and reflections on the school’s journey of blessings and growth. Head of School Dr. Matthew Kerlin shared an inspiring vision for what the next years will hold for the continued growth of the school. The evening peaked with an acoustic performance by Mac Powell and Mark Lee, founding members of the Grammy-winning Christian band Third Day, whose worship-fi lled tribute left the ballroom resounding with gratitude.
Adding to the evening’s significance, Charles and Cathy Sewell were honored with the prestigious “Pillar of Faith Award,” and a custom-made eagle painting by artist and MPCS alumni Jared Knox, ‘17. This rarely-presented distinction and lifetime achievement award recognizes individuals whose dedication, service, and example have made Christ’s love visible to generations within the MPCS community. Their decades of faithful leadership and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on the school’s spiritual foundation.
The success of the Golden Gala was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Jubilee sponsor Mulkey Enterprises and Visionary sponsors Adventure Outdoors, Greymont Holdings, and Walton Communities. Among many other sponsors, these partnerships underscore a shared commitment to the values and mission of Mount Paran Christian School.
From its beginnings rooted back to 1917 at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, the foundation was laid for the future Mount Paran Christian School. Beginning as a small preschool called the Early Learning Center in 1976, no one could have imagined the place MPCS would grow to become. The school outgrew this location and moved to the Mount Paran Central location off Allgood Road in Marietta in 1985 — shortly after the addition of a high school. Mount Paran Christian School finally found its permanent home on the 68-acre campus in the shadow of Kennesaw Mountain in 2003. From these humble beginnings, the school grew in both size and scope, serving generations of students academically while staying closely aligned to its Christ-centered heritage.
To honor and preserve this pivotal legacy, a new limited-edition coffee table book to commemorate 50 years of the school was released at the Golden Gala event titled “Firmly Planted – A Heritage of Faith, A Legacy of Learning.” The book is a 164-page volume which traces the beginnings of MPCS all the way back to the first Church of God in Atlanta.
As Mount Paran Christian School looks ahead to the next 50 years, the Golden Gala served as both a remembrance of God’s faithfulness and a re-dedication to the school’s enduring purpose: to prepare students to honor God, love others, and walk boldly in the truth.
