It all began with a calling.

You may not believe you have the abilities, the knowledge, or even the experience to do what you have been called to do. But Melissa Spading will tell you, “Oh, yes, you can!”

Melissa Spading would not consider herself anything other than ordinary. But what she would say is when God calls you to do something, whatever that is, He equips you with everything you need to make what you do become extraordinary.

Ark Academy has been a work in the making for many years without Melissa being aware of it. With an encouraging statement from a preschool parent, observing two of her grandchildren in a private Christian school, and a whisper from the Holy Spirit, Ark Academy was given life.

Melissa began Noah’s Ark Preschool in her hometown of Belle Plaine, Iowa, back in the fall of the 2012-2013 school year. Ark Academy is going to be a natural progression from the established program she’s had for the past years with added grades to include Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Reading, writing, learning, camping, 4-wheeling, geocaching, T-shirts, and pajamas are some of Melissa’s staples. She loves the life that she and her husband, Russ, has grown into. They have four grown children, one passing away in 2016, and eight fantastic and fun grandchildren.

Melissa is very passionate about being Ark Academy’s LEAD Director. Would you join her to start your children “…off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Acts 13:36 says, “Now, when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.”  Melissa loves working toward fulfilling the purpose God has given here.  She looks forward to living out that purpose the rest of her days. Nothing could be more rewarding than that!