Phoenix Christian Academy

Celebrating the heart of our organization, our teachers and staff, at the Provider Appreciation Event this morning! They get to bond over wonderful moments and receive exceptional care from the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County staff! ❤️ Early Learning Coalition of Polk County

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH💙

The ELC of Polk is here to support you every step of the way.

If you have a child who may have unique or additional needs, you’re not alone. Reach out to our Warm Line for guidance, resources and support.

📞Call 863-733-9080
🌐Or visit our website to learn more: https://elcpolk.org/providers/warm-line-863-733-9080/

The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County and the Junior League of Greater Lakeland FL are excited for the WORLD OF READING Festival 2026!

Join us for a fun-filled event celebrating literacy - don't miss out!

“Where will reading take you?” at the World of Reading Festival this year??

DATE TIME
Date: April 18th
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

LOCATION
Barnett Family Park 730 E
Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801

Click below to explore more:
https://www.jlgl.org/events/world-of-reading-2026/

Resurrection Sunday

The day God kept His word.

All week… it looked like He didn’t. Palm Sunday—praised. Friday—crucified. Saturday—silent. And now…Sunday.

The women came expecting death. They weren’t coming in faith. They were coming in grief. And that’s what makes this so powerful. God moved…before anyone believed He would.

A violent earthquake. An angel descended. The stone wasn’t pushed—it was moved. And the guards? The ones meant to keep Him in…fell like dead men when heaven stepped in. (Matthew 28:2–4)

The tomb was empty. Not because someone stole Him. Not because He escaped. But because death had no authority to keep Him.

And when they looked inside, the linen cloths were lying there…and the cloth that had been around His head…folded. (John 20:6–7) In Jewish culture, a symbol, that meant. I’m not done… I will return.

All of Friday’s suffering…all of Saturday’s silence…led to this moment.

Even standing in front of the empty tomb…they hadn’t yet grasped what God had done. (John 20:9) Until He spoke.

Mary stood there… weeping. Looking at the very One she came to mourn, and didn’t recognize Him. Until He said her name. “Mary.” (John 20:16)

And in that moment…everything changed. Because resurrection isn’t just proven. It’s personal.

He didn’t reveal Himself to kings. Not to religious leaders. Not to those in power. He revealed Himself first…to women.

The ones who stayed. The ones who showed up. The ones who came in grief… left carrying the greatest news the world has ever known. (Matthew 28:1–10, John 20:11–18)

Jesus didn’t just rise. He walked out. Out of the grave. Out of death. Out of what was meant to hold Him.

And He didn’t leave the stone cracked. He left it wide open. Because this was never just about Him getting out. It was about giving us a way in. Into relationship with the Father.

What was broken in a garden…was redeemed in a garden.

So the question isn’t: “Did He rise?” The tomb answers that. The question is: What are we still sitting in…that He already walked out of?

The stone is rolled away. The grave is empty. Jesus is alive. Now what will we do with it?