Classes are back in session at Grace Christian Academy (GCA) in Knoxville, TN, and Anthony Lamb (Physical Education ’87) is ready for another year. He supports his team of educators along with the early middle and middle schoolers through the role of principal. “[I’m] now entering my 38th year in Christian education,” shared Principal Lamb. “And it’s a great responsibility and privilege to influence the next generation of godly leaders.” At GCA, Lamb has been positioned to invest in young students and athletes in the same ways he sought mentorship growing up.
Growing Up with Sports
Throughout middle and high school in Savannah, GA, Anthony Lamb played football, baseball, and basketball. “I was deeply impacted by the coaches and teachers at Bible Baptist School,” he said. “Coming from a broken home, their influence inspired me to serve the Lord through education and athletics.”
Anthony’s coaches were also teachers at his school and active members at his church, causing him to see them often. “I was around them constantly, both in the classroom and at Bible Baptist Church, and I often found myself wanting to be noticed by them and spending extra time with them,” Anthony shared. “They were always approachable, willing to have conversations, and gave me the encouragement I needed.”
What stood out most to Anthony was the consistent testimony of their lives. “I didn’t just hear them talk about God’s purpose; I saw them live it out daily.” As he got older and his athletic ability developed, Anthony’s mentors challenged him to sharpen his skills and to represent Christ well through leadership. “God used these men, through both victories and challenges, to shape me,” he added. “Athletics became a kind of ‘laboratory’ where God tested and trained me, and my coaches and teachers helped me learn how to navigate those moments.”
“Athletics became a kind of ‘laboratory’ where God tested and trained me, and my coaches and teachers helped me learn how to navigate those moments.”
During his senior year of high school, Anthony felt God leading him to get involved in Christian education, “but I had very little direction on how to pursue that calling,” he admitted. That changed when a new girl transferred to his school, whose sister attended Pensacola Christian College. “Through her and her family, I heard more about PCC and became convinced that this was where God wanted me.” In reference to his family background, Anthony shared gratefulness for being able to attend a Christian school and college. “These environments,” he said, “allowed me to be surrounded by godly leaders and mentors who helped shape my life and calling.”
Preparing for the Real World
Pursuing a physical education degree at PCC provided Anthony with a wealth of direction. “PCC has had a direct impact on every area of my professional and spiritual life,” he shared. “The strong biblical training and the personal discipline I developed during college have continually guided my decisions and shaped my approach to leadership and ministry.”
As a student learning how to teach, Anthony completed an internship which allowed him to practice in a real classroom. “One of the most valuable aspects was the hands-on experience I gained through student teaching and classroom observation at Pensacola Christian School [known today as Pensacola Christian Academy],” Anthony said. “These real-world opportunities gave me a clear and practical understanding of what to expect. Many of the methods and strategies I observed back then continue to influence my work today, even as technology and tools evolve.”
With athletics being a large part of Anthony’s academic life, he had the privilege to play on the Eagles basketball team in college. “This gave me invaluable experiences in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” he said. Anthony also came away with inspiration from yet another coach’s influence. “Being a part of the Eagles basketball team, all four years, was a huge source of encouragement. Coach Keith Champion made a lasting impression on my life—many of his words and principles still guide me today in both leadership and personal challenges.”
“I wanted to invest in students the way my coaches invested in me—using athletics not just to develop skills but to point young people toward God’s path for their lives.”
All through high school and college, Anthony grew immensely as he sought valuable wisdom from his mentors. “My coaches continually pointed me back to Christ and helped me see how God was using those experiences to shape my life,” Anthony said. “That influence gave me a clear sense of calling: I wanted to invest in students the way my coaches invested in me—using athletics not just to develop skills but to point young people toward God’s path for their lives.”
Championing with Clarity
Despite the family structure he came from, Anthony and his wife, Kimberly, are privileged to work together as they share a love for Christian education. “God has allowed us to serve side by side in the same schools for 26 out of our 36 years.” And keeping in tune with Lamb’s love for sports, their relationship blossomed at an intramural soccer game. What’s more, Anthony has been on staff at the schools where his daughters were enrolled from preschool through 12th grade. “I presently work with my oldest daughter who teaches second grade and where my three grandchildren attend,” he added.
As middle school principal, Anthony Lamb oversees all aspects of the fifth through eighth graders—about 400 students total—and he prioritizes his teachers. “My day-to-day responsibilities center around supporting our teachers and ensuring they have the tools and encouragement they need to succeed in their roles,” he explained.
Anthony is aware of the different challenges and lessons presented in a classroom compared to an athletic field. But having been a coach for the past 30 years, he has led three teams to state championships—one in football and two in basketball. “In those high-pressure moments, your character is revealed. You can’t hide who you are, and those situations force you to confront your values and priorities.”
While equipping his team, Anthony holds true to the school’s mission: serving Christ through education. “In a growing ministry, we must remain unified in direction,” Anthony declared. “On a personal level, staying current with modern technology is a daily hurdle. Having started my career before the internet, smartphones, and AI, adapting to new tools is necessary to effectively reach and lead today’s students.”
“In those high-pressure moments, your character is revealed. . . . Those situations force you to confront your values and priorities.”
Whether on the field, during a lecture, or with administration, the relationships Anthony fosters continue to leave a lasting impression on him. “Watching them grow, succeed in their careers, and build godly families brings me immense joy,” he reflected. “I also cherish the opportunity to counsel students who come from backgrounds similar to mine.”
As his teachers and middle-schoolers have been geared up this school year, Anthony anticipates more opportunities to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders. And he remains true to the personal mission statement he formulated: “‘To build champions for God, family, and country,’” Anthony said. “And PCC equipped me with the spiritual and practical tools to pursue that mission with purpose and clarity.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.