I never knew how much this special lady would impact my life. When I met her, she didn’t have much to say, but she became an integral part of my life. Our relationship began slowly, but it became an endearing one.

My friend serves in many areas for our Lord.  Connie Peters is retiring from Pathway Christian Academy after thirty-three years of loyal service. The journey has not always been easy, but she has been faithful through thick and thin. Connie’s main ministry is to her husband and two children, and she also serves as our church pianist and treasurer. Besides all of that, she is my dear friend. The type of friend the Bible speaks about in Proverbs 18:24. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,”

We had no idea how we were going to open a school when we were led to begin Pathway Christian Academy. A few families got together to found the school, but we needed teachers. Connie agreed to teach our elementary classroom. In our first few years, the teachers worked for their children’s tuition. Connie volunteered her time to help start a dream to help children. As the school grew, her hats changed, but she was always there. Most of her years of service to Pathway Christian Academy were spent in grades 5-12. We worked as a team, leading our classroom. Connie taught many classes, such as Constitution, Creative Writing, and even Science Lab. Still, her favorite thing to do was to help with math. The students joke that Mrs. Peters knows everything. They are not far from the truth.

The academy was flooded by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Matthew was devastating. The building had 32 inches of water in it, and the damage was great. Our staff was there helping to clean the building and go through everything to see what we could salvage. Connie was there right beside us. When COVID hit, we had to find a way to have school. Connie was there! In the good and the bad, Connie has always been there for support and never minded getting her hands dirty.

Connie has also been very supportive and a loyal member of Pathway Baptist Church. She was there when it began, too. She played the keyboard in one of the family’s homes. Connie has played the piano for our church for over thirty-three years now. She is also a loyal supporter of GoMix and, as you know, a contributor to Pathpointe magazine.

The most special thing for me personally is our friendship. We have become very close friends. Each year, we seem to get a little closer. She is the type of friend who knows what I am thinking. She knows how to anticipate what I need and almost what I am thinking. It is honestly a little scary.  Connie accepts my faults. I can’t tell you how many times I have apologized for something; her response is always the same. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”  Basically, she had already forgotten and forgiven. True friends know each other’s hearts, so they will not be offended easily and will always support each other. We have that type of friendship. Of course, I am sure she gets frustrated with me, but I never know it. I am so thankful for my dear friend.

The thing I am most thankful for about Connie is her Christian testimony. Her walk with God has been consistent throughout the years I have known her. She has been a beautiful role model for my children and grandchildren. Connie has never wavered in her relationship with our Lord. I can count on her to pray for me and the rest of my family. I know she holds my husband, her pastor, up in prayer daily. She has prayed for the simple and the serious. I always know I can share anything with her, and it will go no further. She loves our Lord, and it showed at church and at school.

Connie will be missed at the academy. The students had a special party for her. They made a book of endearment for her, sang a song, and made her feel special. You see, some of our students have had Mrs. Peters as their teacher for six or more years. She touched their lives. I feel certain she will be stopping by and filling in when needed. It has been an emotional week. I cannot imagine teaching without her by my side, but I will continue as we pass the baton. 

I am happy for Connie as she enters a new stage of life—I do know this! She will continue to serve the Lord in whatever she does, and I am excited to see what each new day will bring for her.

I love you, Connie!

Dr. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren.  She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.