Jerry Huhn, My Friend

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

While this is my 9th year serving the Crosshill Christian community, my connection to this campus started much earlier. In the summer of 2000, I had a seemingly random phone conversation with the school’s founder Pastor Jerry Huhn. At that time, Pastor Jerry was pioneering another Christian school in the Beaverton area. I had called to inquire about a job, and one of the most important friendships in my life had begun. Pastor Jerry and I worked together on that campus for three years and he mentored me as I entered the world of Christian schooling. In 2009 our professional paths crossed again as he had returned to CCS (then Willamette Christian) and recruited me to help pioneer the high school. During these seven years of professional relationship, and many more of enduring friendship, Pastor Jerry had an impact on my life beyond measure.

Our relationship has always been a unique one. Pastor Jerry is 36 years older than me, but has always treated me more like a brother. Though we share many of the same interests, he was my employer and always my elder and deserved a degree of respect and honor not reserved for a simple peer.  

In the same way, God’s design for our relationship with Him is a unique one. In John 15:15 Jesus declares, “No longer do I call your servants... but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you.” God sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. That is how much He loves us. And through Jesus’ life and resurrection He has revealed to us His good plans for us. When we look up the word “friend” in the dictionary we should see a picture of Jesus.

Yet at another time, Jesus illustrates our complete role in this relationship. In Luke 17:10 Jesus encourages us to have an attitude of “...We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” Pastor Jerry treated me like a friend by making known to me all of God’s plans for His schools, and was vulnerable with me removing any distance between us. Despite his affection toward me, he still remained my boss and always my elder. Treating him as a peer on the same level would be both arrogant and dishonorable. In the same way, God’s extension of friendship to us should not be met with an attempt to play God ourselves. God’s friendship should grow inside of us a gratefulness that reveals itself in an attitude of a willing servant.  

Crosshill Christian School, which Pastor Jerry helped pioneer in 1992 under God’s direction is daily consumed with many things including academics, athletics, and a variety of activities. But at the heart of its mission of discipleship is guiding students to experience God’s friendship through every area of His creation. As a result of this friendship, students growth as humble servants lead them down a path that leads to what Jesus came to the earth for: an abundant life! 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent