Christian schools in Lancaster County have never really been competitors. Now they're working together to align their missions and streamline their efforts.

The upcoming Christian Education Fair is an event that's designed to draw strength from numbers, explore and promote the increasing popularity of Christian education and provide families with learning opportunities that are aligned with their beliefs and their children's needs.

"It's not that we were against each other; it's we weren't working together," said Jill Armstrong, Lancaster County Christian School's events and communication coordinator and one of the organizers of the event. "I just think there wasn't an intentional collaboration. We can learn from each other. We can grow in different ways as we collaborate. We're trying to find ways to work as one."

The inaugural Christian Education Fair will be staged from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Lancaster Bible College's Good Shepherd Chapel, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster. Representatives of a dozen Christian schools in Lancaster County - Anchor Christian Academy, Dayspring Christian Academy, Hinkletown Mennonite School, Kraybill Mennonite School, Lancaster County Christian School, Lancaster Mennonite School, Linville Hill Christian School, Lititz Area Mennonite School, Lititz Christian School, Mainstay Christian Academy, Mount Calvary Christian School and Veritas Academy - will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Many of the Christian schools that will be represented are nondenominational private institutions designed for students in prekindergarten through grade 12. The Christian Education Fair will inform visitors about the schools' curriculum, athletics, arts, extracurricular activities, transportation, tuition, financial aid and enrollment processes.

"I hope that it's unifying and energizing," said Armstrong of the education fair's atmosphere. "I hope that it's upbeat and there's lively conversation. I hope the schools encourage people to ask questions. I hope there's kind of like a family feel."

The event is free to attend, everyone is welcome and no registration is required.

"There are a lot of options out there, and it can be overwhelming," said Armstrong. "I think there are families asking themselves, 'Do I do Christian schools? Do I do public schools? Do I do homeschooling?' I think you'll see families with new kindergarten-age children. I think you'll see parents of students who are experiencing natural transitions, from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school. There's no pressure, no commitment; just come and learn."

Organizers of the Christian Education Fair sent out event invitations to 18 Christian schools in Lancaster County to participate.

"Enrollment in Christian schools is growing rapidly," said Armstrong. "I think we offer something different that families are attracted to. Most Christian schools are places of community. We want to showcase our uniqueness. But what might be right for one family might not be right for another. We're kind of on a mission together. I think all of the Christian schools would say similar things."

Christian schools offer just one type of private education available to Lancaster County students. The origins of local Christian schools date back to the early 1900s, and their growth seems to be associated with periods of time when some became nondenominational.

"I think we are really privileged to live in a part of the world that has so many Christian schools," said Armstrong. "I think the county has a lot of history of prioritizing Christian education, just by the number of Christian schools that there are. Over the years, I've watched schools better articulate their missions. Christian education emphasizes a biblical worldview and studying the Word of God."

For additional information about the Christian Education Fair, go to https://christianedfair.com.