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Principal Kenji Ford knows what it means to walk through hard seasons. “I’ve had to walk in some hard shoes,” she said, eyes filling with tears. “But I’m still here because God’s timing is perfect, not mine.”

Years ago, Kenji hit rock bottom as an assistant principal. The challenges of leadership left her weary, and she wondered if she was truly where God wanted her to be. After moving to Dallas for a new start, she began teaching again. “I stumbled my way through those first few months, but I knew God was teaching me something in the process,” she said.

It was during this time that she first encountered KiDs Beach Club^®. “I walked into the gym and was floored. I couldn’t believe children were learning about God in a public school,” she recalled. “They were learning Scripture, helping each other, and following God’s Word because they wanted to, not because someone told them to.”

That moment reignited her calling as an educator. When she later became principal at Grace Hardeman Elementary, she was determined to bring Beach Club^® to her campus. “These children need this,” she said. “They need a place to build their faith and learn who they are in Christ.”

Kenji worked tirelessly to make it happen. She created a morning prayer circle with her staff, covering the school in prayer each day before the first bell. “All glory to God,” she said. “He is the one who makes this possible.”

One of the many students impacted by her leadership was a fifth grader named Madelynn. Through Beach Club^®, Madelynn began to grow in her understanding of God’s love and soon made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized. Principal Kenji was one of the many leaders present for Madelynn's baptism. “To watch that transformation happen within the walls of a public school. It’s what this ministry is all about,” Kenji said with a smile. “Seeing children like Madelynn build their faith reminds me why I keep doing what I do.”

Now serving at a new school, Principal Ford continues to advocate for Beach Club everywhere she goes. “Every school should have a Beach Club^®,” she said. “When you see how it changes lives, you can’t stay quiet about it.”