Marshall Ochs

I attended CCS from 1994-1995 during my eighth-grade year. This was my first experience around Christians, as I didn’t grow up in a Christian home and never went to church. It was a whole new world for me. The classes were small, and I met some good friends, but what stood out most was the approach to learning. Up to that point, I had attended public school, but I never felt like the teachers cared about my education. I’m sure they did, but I appreciated the approach to teaching at CCS, which emphasized faith and academics. This meant a lot to me, and I would have liked to have continued my education at CCS, but 8th grade was as far as you could go then. I transferred to North Florida in 9th grade and graduated there.

In the summer of my 11th-grade year, I was saved and felt a call to ministry. After graduation, I attended TCC, then majored in communications at FSU. I planted Red Hills Church in 2013, where I currently serve as the Lead Pastor. 

CCS holds a special place in my heart because it was the first place I encountered the gospel. It was the first time I saw Christian virtues in action and Christ’s greatness. My favorite memories are from chapel, where I served on the “blue shirts” team. Those were the first church services I ever attended, and God used them to shape my life for His service. I’m so grateful for that.