Stories

John Belkoff was born in Pontiac, Michigan in June 1963 to his Christian home, which followed the discipline of the Episcopal Church. He was active in men and boys choirs, serving at the altar and lay ministry to mission churches. His grandmother was convinced that he should leave public school, always sensing John's calling to ministry. This began his long journey through scripture, history, and theology of the Chrisitan Church, committing to find and promote the ancient Christian faith of the Apostles and the early Church. Seeking a school that upheld the values of faith, scripture, morality, and on sacrificing oneself to Christ, he found Oakland Chrisitan School where he graduated in 1981. 

Following OCS graduation, he studied at Oakland Community and Oakland University, discerning the best path to ordination and proper seminary education. One Sunday, a clergyman recognized John's dilemma of disappointment with his secularized church and its disregard for scripture and moral law. Understanding John's dilemma at a crossroads, he advised John to leave his church and venture across the cultural dive, immersing himself in the Apostolic Church of the 1st Century; the ancient Orthodox Christian Church. Few opportunities existed to experience and participate in the somewhat strange expression of Christianity. The clergyman advised and arranged for John to experience the worship and theological discussion of an Orthodox parish, even providing transportation. John considers the Orthodox Christian Church, his “pearl of great price”, a treasure, offering the fullness of Christianity from apostolic times, neither added to nor subtracted from, throughout the span of Christian history. 

Father John became Archimandrite (highest rank of a monastery priest) Pachomy (named after St. Pachominus, a 3rd-century Christian father who preached and founded a monastery in Egypt). His most valued friends and mentors are Patriarchs, Archbishops, and clergy of ancient New Testament Christianity. His closest relationship is with the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Mother Church of all Christianity. Jerusalem is his second home, where he experiences renewal and continuity of the early church while discovering history, Christian theology, and culture. He resides in Harper Woods, surrounded by a paradise of his own making—a monastery with an enclosed community, botanical gardens, beautiful fountains, a library, and a gallery of rare treasures. The monastery church exhibits fresco icon accounts of biblical stories and early Christian martyrdom. Oakland Christian School proudly recognizes Father Pachomy to our Wall of Faith for a lifelong commitment to faithfulness, sacrifice, and worship to Christ. 

Laura (Johnson) Hall has experienced much of her life at and with Oakland Christian School. She is the daughter of Steve (Class of ‘74) and Sheila Johnson; she married Luke Hall (Class of ’02) in the summer of 2010 and is mom to Clay (future Class of ‘31) and Lucy (future Class of ’33), both currently attending OCS, and became a host mom to 2012 International Graduate, Randall Chen. 

Laura is a second-generation, K-12 graduate from OCS, Class of 2002. She was an excellent student who played OCS basketball in grades 5-12 and participated in high school drama productions in grades 10-12. Very involved in her high school studies and holding to friendships with both peers and teachers, when asked of her plans for the future, she quipped, “I want to teach high school English at OCS”. 

After graduation, Laura attended Oakland University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in English and Biology and earning a Michigan Teaching Certificate. While at Oakland University, she volunteered each year to help with the OCS high school drama productions. Laura enrolled at Wayne State University where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in teaching with an emphasis on Secondary English Education Curriculum.

 An OCS High School English teaching position opened following Laura's graduation from Oakland University and she accepted the challenge to begin her OCS teaching career in the fall of 2006. She quickly became a quality English teacher and a dynamic instructional partner to Ann Klein. Many students have benefited from her teaching of English 9 & 10, Speech, College Writing, Research Writing, Foundations of Christianity, American Language and Culture, AP Language and Composition, AP Biology, and AP Seminar through the years. 

In 2014, Laura assumed the OCS Secondary Library position, which she continues to supervise. In addition to her library responsibilities, Laura has trained to teach the current and upcoming AP Capstone Seminar classes. In an already busy schedule at OCS, she serves as Science Department Head and has coached five seasons of middle school girls' basketball and one year of junior varsity basketball. She coached girls' bowling, worked with the high school drama productions, and served as a Student Council sponsor. Laura was also very influential in the development of the International Student Program in its early years. 

Although naturally quiet, her words carry strength and purpose. She listens and responds wisely to the needs of the school, the students, and her co-workers are always honest and genuine while faithful to demonstrate compassion. Laura completes the goals that face her thoughtful consideration and intelligent efficiency, and OCS depends on her for much!  She has a deep and personal faith in Jesus and her Savior and her faith is evident in her daily ministry at our school. 

Oakland Chrisitan School takes this opportunity to recognize Laura Hall to its Wall of Faith in gratitude for the many openhanded and openhearted contributions that she brings daily to OCS and in grateful anticipation of continued experiences as she shares God's love for years to come.