Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Being pushed or pulled?

Hearing a brand new call

By Jay Hohfeler

Published May 1, 2010 in Witness

I still remember that Sunday morning, eight years ago, when Tom Neuhoff stood before the congregation and announced he sensed God calling him to set aside his law practice and become the headmaster at West Dallas Community School (WDCS). I pondered two questions: 1) What is it like to be unmistakably called? 2) If God called me, would I have the courage to respond? I couldn’t imagine either scenario. Little did I know that, eight years later, God would suddenly end my 27-year career at Verizon and I would live out exactly that crossroad.

It began last fall when, in the midst of 65-hour weeks and an intense Fortune 100 corporate grind, I could no longer picture myself starting another fiscal year. I knew, down to my toes, it was time to go. But, I was so busy, I couldn’t contemplate alternatives—until the week of Thanksgiving when 20% of the executive team was “invited” to retire. I was done. But that same day, PCPC members John Bateman and Jim Harrison called to pray for me, and both mentioned that Tom Neuhoff had returned to his law practice, yet was still active on the board of WDCS. After a few weeks, I met Tom at the campus for a tour and a candid talk. I was doubly impressed with the school—and felt my heart stir. After decades of achieving and pushing, God inserted an event that stopped me cold. Then, God began pulling in particular ways to create a growing call over the next two months.

The providential confluence of timing, availability, finances, confirmation of my gifts and abilities, and past experience became clear. Fortune 100 telecommunications, preceded by three years as a public school teacher in inner-city Houston, suddenly made sense in the unfolding picture. My wife Beth, who had previously served in urban ministry and social work, was excited about us serving together. It was that same unmistakable call that Tom answered years ago. God provided all the courage I needed.

My initial weeks as headmaster at West Dallas Community School have been some of the best of my life. I’ve gotten to see how the school instills both toughness and genuine love. The rigor forms good habits, discipline, and high standards—even among the youngest students. It bears fruit of confidence, poise, and critical thinking. In fact, 93% of our students score average and above average in reading compared to the national population—and 98% in math. Just this month, 100% of the eighth grade class was accepted into the finest magnet and private schools across Dallas (including Trinity Christian, Cambridge, Ursuline, Episcopal of Dallas, Hockaday, and St. Mark’s).

The students are loved and treated as those who bear the image of God. They’re prayed for, by name, every day. The faculty is exceptionally qualified with mature faith. The volunteers, many from PCPC, have caught the same joy that nearly everyone finds in this place where God is so obviously present. All agree: the Lord’s hand is surely on the campus of West Dallas Community School.