About us
TLSM Students Fall 2025
Tri-Lakes School Ministries exists to equip the next generation to understand, articulate, and defend the Christian, or Biblical, worldview.
We are a 501(c)3 interdenominational nonprofit ministry providing Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) to elementary, middle, and high school students. RTBE is the only legal means by which Christian education is allowed during the public school day. Through solid theological instruction and discussion, Tri-Lakes School Ministries seeks to equip students with confidence in the Biblical worldview and the courage to live it and compassionately share it with others.
We are supported by generous private donations from individuals, churches, and businesses.
History >
Tri-Lakes School Ministries began with several parents’ desire to help their children learn to discern truth in the midst of postmodern society. Upon discovering that other ministries across the nation were legally teaching Bible classes during school hours, parents met to create the same opportunity for students in the Tri-Lakes/Colorado Springs area of Colorado.
MIssion >
Tri-Lakes School Ministries exists to bring the Truth and hope to public school students through Released Time Bible Education. We encourage students who choose to follow Christ to respond to the Apostle Peter’s instruction to Christian believers in 1 Peter 3:15 to “revere Christ as Lord” and to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…with gentleness and respect.”
values >
-
Understanding the metanarrative, or overarching message, of the Bible
-
Christian apologetics; equipping the next generation to articulate and defend the Biblical worldview
-
Helping students discover why it's worth it to follow Christ in a world that is becoming increasingly unfriendly to Christ-followers and preparing students to confidently and respectfully respond to those who challenge the Biblical worldview
-
Understanding that what the younger generation needs, because they are inundated with information from all kinds of sources, and isolated often on their screens, is truth and relationship.
- Christian discipleship
Program
What Is Tri-Lakes School Ministries?
Tri-Lakes School Ministries is a non-profit 501(c)3 interdenominational ministry which exists to offer Released Time Bible Education classes. We currently serve students in D38 in Colorado at Monument Academy Elementary School, Lewis Palmer Middle School, Monument Academy Middle School, Lewis Palmer High School, Monument Academy High School, and Palmer Ridge High School.
What is Released Time Bible Education?
“Students in Released Time programs perform better than their classmates as a whole in almost every category.”
Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) is the only legal means of teaching the Bible to students during public school hours.
Students may attend RTBE as long as the program is:
– Off school campus
– Privately funded
– Parent/guardian permitted
The Benefits of Released Time Bible Education Classes:
“Students in Released Time programs perform better than their classmates as a whole in almost every category.” (Monique W. Morris, Garry Krisberg, Sharan Shanoa, 2003. Summary of Findings: Released Time Bible Education. Columbia, SC; Oakland, SC; School Ministries; National Council on Crime and Delinquency.)
- The Bible offers a worldview grounded in HOPE – life has meaning and purpose beyond the accumulation of wealth and/or cultivation of status.
- Youth receive a strong foundation for moral and ethical character.
- Biblical foundation leads students to be a positive part of their community – improved relationship with family and friends, improved respect for authority and their peers and reduction in risk-taking behavior.
- Partnership with community churches helps connect students who often bring their families as well.
- Established RTBE programs across the country, such as Coastal School Ministries in South Carolina, report that students grow in self-confidence, Bible knowledge, relationship with Christ, friendships, and hope.
Statement of Faith
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Tri-Lakes School Ministries as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Tri-Lakes School Ministries members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Tri-Lakes School Ministries in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by the following Statement of Belief and Statement of Faith. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22)
The Statement of Belief of Tri-Lakes School Ministries is as follows:
We believe that all mankind everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that is received by grace alone through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Furthermore, we believe that God will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to eternal punishment.
The Statement of Faith of Tri-Lakes School Ministries is as follows.
We accept and proclaim the historic truths of the Christian faith including the following:
God and the Human Race
We hold that the Lord our God is one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that He fulfills his sovereign purposes — in creation, revelation, redemption, judgment, and the coming of His kingdom — by calling out from the world a people united to Himself and to each other in love. We acknowledge that God wonderfully and immutably created us, male and female, in His own likeness and image, conferring on us dignity and worth and enabling us to respond to Him. We are now members of a fallen race; we have sinned and come short of His glory. We believe that the Father has shown us His holy love in giving Jesus Christ, His only Son, for us, while through our sinfulness and guilt, we were subject to His wrath and condemnation, and has shown His grace by putting sinners right with Himself when they place their trust in His Son. We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and God; as truly human, born of the Virgin Mary; as Servant, sinless, full of grace and truth; as only Mediator and Savior, dying on the cross in our place, representing us to God, redeeming us from the grip, guilt, and punishment of sin; as victor over Satan and all his forces, rising from death with a glorious body, being taken up to be with His Father, and one day returning personally in glory and judgment to establish His kingdom. We believe in the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness and judgment; who makes the death of Christ effective to sinners, declaring that they must now turn to Christ in repentance, and directing their trust toward the Lord Jesus Christ, who through the new birth makes us partakers in the life of the risen Christ, illuminating their minds to grasp the truth of Scripture, producing in them His fruit, granting to them His gifts, and empowering them for service in the world.
The Scriptures
We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures are God-breathed since their writers spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit; hence are fully trustworthy in all that they affirm and are our highest authority for faith and life.
The Church and Its Mission
We recognize the Church as the body of Christ held together and growing up in Him, both as a total fellowship throughout the world and as the local congregation in which believers gather. We acknowledge the commission of Christ to proclaim the Good News to all people making them disciples, and teaching them to obey Him; we acknowledge the command of Christ to love our neighbors, resulting in service to the Church and society, in seeking reconciliation for all with God and their fellows, in proclaiming liberty from every kind of oppression, and in spreading Christ’s justice in an unjust world until He comes again.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, covenantal union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, any use of pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or otherwise acting upon any disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church, (Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:18-25; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4).
Biblical Authority
The above Statement of Belief and Statement of Faith do not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is the Tri-Lakes School Ministries’ final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
Staff
Cheryl Darnell
Executive Director and Teacher
Cheryl is a lifelong learner and has taught students from preschool to high school. She graduated summa cum laude with her BA in Psychology, Teacher Certification, and a Specialization in English in 1998 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. From 1997-2006, Cheryl taught lively 5th graders in Texas and then ventured with her husband Bill to raise their family in Monument, Colorado. She is a Certified Barton Reading & Spelling instructor for students with dyslexia and has substitute taught and private tutored 1st-12th grade students from 2014-the present. In 2023 Cheryl earned her Certification in Christian Apologetics from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Having served in small groups, youth ministries, and worship teams, she has passionately sought to help the younger generation discover truth, joy, purpose, and life in following Christ.
Cheryl and Bill are raising their three teenagers and labradoodle in Monument. When not removing stains from uniforms, interpreting teen jargon, or filling the gas tank, they can be found cheering their kids on at the basketball court and songwriting desk, camping, skiing, hiking, or dirt biking in the beauty of the Rockies, or traveling other intriguing parts of the world.
Trisha Douglas
Board Vice Chair
Trisha grew up in the Midwest in a Christian family. After graduating from the University of Iowa, she was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force in Jan 2001. During her eight years on active duty as an Aerospace Physiology Officer, Trisha met her husband Dyon. She then separated from the AF to be a stay-at-home mom after the birth of their twins. Four years later they welcomed triplets. Trisha homeschooled all five kids for three years. A few years ago the family welcomed their youngest son. Trisha and Dyon have explored public schools, charter schools, and homeschooling as God has lead them along their journey.
Trisha’s family has had the privilege of living in Europe, Asia and many parts of the US. Their favorite locations were Germany and Alaska. Their family enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, traveling, board games, and cheering the kids on at sports. Trisha also holds a decades-long passion for natural health. She loves helping others learn about lifestyle and nutrition changes they can make to improve health for themselves and their family.
Ben Knauss
Board Treasurer
Sheri Blakesley
Teacher
Sheri was born in Holland, MI where she attended Holland Christian High School. She was heavily influenced by her high school Bible teachers, including Ray Vander Laan, to pursue her faith and life with passion. At Central College in Pella, IA, she studied Religion with a focus on Old Testament and Ministry. During college, she led the campus ministries, was a youth pastor at a local church, and worked to bring Christian Unity to a divided campus. Following college, she moved to Colorado Springs to work as an Intern for College and Young Adult Ministry at First Presbyterian Church. At the end of the internship, she married Eric. They have remained in Colorado Springs while raising their 4 (now adult) children. Sheri continued to work in various churches for the next 10 years to include positions in children’s, youth, young adult, and adult positions. She also spent 9 years coaching high school basketball and ministering to many youth through that role.
“Getting involved with Tri-Lakes Ministries was a total God thing. God has walked alongside me through many challenging circumstances and has given me a passion for today’s youth. Amidst the challenges of a decaying society, where do we find Truth? The metanarrative of the Bible is the only way to find the Truth necessary for a broken world.”
Cindy Schaefer
Board Member
Cindy was born and raised in Colorado Springs and has lived in UT, WA, and VA. She and her husband returned to Colorado in 2014. Cindy has a B.A. in Spanish and Business and a M.Ed with a special emphasis in Teaching English Language Learners.
She has taught inductive Bible studies for many years and was invited to teach high school Bible at a Christian school in WA where she introduced inductive study and also taught Christian worldview using Summit Ministries Understanding the Times curriculum. Teaching Spanish was added shortly after. After moving to VA, Cindy worked for Prison Fellowship Ministries and was in the 3rd class of the Colson Fellows year long worldview training program. Chuck Colson has long been an influence in Cindy’s life as his assertion that Christianity is about more than our own personal salvation has always resonated with her. After teaching Spanish and Bible at a Christian high school in VA for a few years, Cindy and her husband decided to move back to Colorado. They have 2 children and 7 grandchildren. She is passionate about gardening, reading and traveling. She and her husband also enjoy hiking in this beautiful state.
Aaron Atwood
Board Chair
Aaron is Vice President of Advancement for Summit Ministries, a nonprofit organization that equips and supports rising generations to embrace God’s truth and champion a biblical worldview. A professional speaker and writer, Aaron also helps organizations connect with their audiences to open hearts and minds to the movement of God. In the past decade, he has personally hosted nearly 50 events ranging from youth functions to fundraising weekends. Aaron has scripted dozens of events from plays to high capacity funding asks. He knows how to get to the heart of an organization’s calling and express vision that inspires action. Aaron holds more than 20 years experience in youth ministry and apologetics, non-profit leadership, and family business. He and his wife Sarah have been married 20 years and have four daughters. They love to travel and experience adventures together.
Mike Helwig
Teacher
Mike is from a small town in Illinois, where he attended high school with his future wife Kris. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences and eventually earned a M.S. degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. from George Washington University in Engineering Management. After a 20-year career as a naval officer, he worked as a research analyst in Washington, D.C., a senior engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and as a professor at multiple universities. He currently teaches Engineering Economics and Project Management courses at Colorado School of Mines. Mike and Kris have 3 boys who are all military officers, and they have 3 dogs who are not…
Mike and Kris have hosted small groups, and Mike recently completed the Colson Fellows course. Having lived in Monument before and now just recently moved back, Mike is excited to contribute to Tri-Lakes School Ministries.
jeffrey dunston
Board Member
Jeffrey is a 2nd generation realtor/developer and 3rd generation Monument resident. Family is everything to him! He is grateful for the family God has given him and blessed to work in the family business.
Jeffrey graduated from Palmer Ridge High School in 2018 and was heavily involved, serving in leadership roles with FCA, Real Alternatives to Drugs & Drinking (RAD), and the unity council on the football team. He remained local and continued on to UCCS. During college Jeffrey served in leadership with the Christian apologetics group Ratio Christi which was fighting a legal battle to remain on campus. He graduated in 2021 in three years earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Economics.
Jeffrey puts a strong emphasis on knowing truth and believes, as one of his mentors professes, “the battle is for the mind.” Consequently, he remains heavily involved in giving back and helping students find God, not by blind faith, but instead diving deeper into the truths of intelligent design, God’s moral law, the purpose we have through Christ, and the amazing destiny we have in the Lord. Jeffrey has served on staff the past two years for Summit Ministries’ new location down in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.