Mostly Cloudy / 57° F
Centers for body and mind [UPDATED]
Published 11:02am Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Updated 11:02am Tuesday, January 15, 2013You may not have heard of Destiny Academy, but they’ve been around for a while. This small, private, Christian school located just outside of Ashby is going through a name transformation from Country Bible Christian Academy to Destiny Academy. And that is not all that is in store for this unique school.
“We wanted to make it clear that we are committed to academic excellence,” said Destiny Academy administrator Stacy Hyttsten. “People would mistake us for a Bible camp, so we are evolving into our new name, changing logos and materials.”
Since 1991, Destiny Academy has been providing a Bible-based education for pre-school through grade 12 in a safe, positive environment for children to learn and to grow. The modern and up-to date school is located on a remote country lane about four miles outside of Ashby.
But there is another Destiny nearby.
Destiny Fitness is a health and fitness facility that opened in 2000, located adjacent to the Ashby exit of the I-94 freeway. Both the school and the fitness center are operated by the Destiny Church, and while they work in harmony, each has its own following.
Destiny Academy has an average enrollment of 25 students in kindergarten through grade 12. In addition to standard academic curriculum, the school has a well-equipped computer lab, a math and science program with complete lab facilities, and performance area with a stage that is also used for youth worship services.
The school is situated on 14 natural acres on the edge of a chain of lakes connected to Pomme de Terre Lake.
“We are going down by the lake to build a quinzhee,” said math and science instructor Tom Aul, explaining that a quinzhee is a snow shelter, as he helped students step into their cross country skis. “We have equipment for all of the students for outdoor activities including cross country skiing, hockey and ice skating.”
Attached to Destiny Academy is Destiny Church, which has grown and changed over the years since
Steve and Trish Quernemoen moved to the area and started the church in their farmhouse. After adding on twice, Destiny Church continued to grow, so they helped to establish the Church for the Harvest in Alexandria in 2002 to serve parishoners from that area. But Destiny Church is still growing, and is looking at plans to build a new church close to Destiny Fitness in the near future.
“The new location will be more accessible to the public,” said Linda Wellman, church secretary, treasurer and minister. “It will free up space for Destiny Academy to stretch out a little.”
Hyttsten said Destiny Academy could grow from the current 25 students up to 35 students right now, and could increase enrollment beyond that by adding additional staff.
“It’s a positive environment for us to help students figure out their strengths, and help them achieve their goals with God involved,” said Hyttsten.
While high school varsity sports are available through a pairing agreement with Ashby Public High School, Destiny Academy students also use Destiny Fitness for additional physical education and social events.
Destiny Fitness features a full-sized gymnasium, weight room, cardio room, a room just for women to work out, a tanning bed, massages, a lounge, wireless internet, meeting and kitchen facilities. A key-card entry allows membes to work out 24/7.
Destiny Fitness manager Sam Quernemoen says he hopes people will be healthy in every way — physically, spiritually and mentally — but he wants to dispel myths that Destiny Fitness is preachy.
“I heard about someone saying ‘I don’t want to get preached at, so I don’t want to go,’” said Quernemoen. “We’re not here for that. We’d like to be considered a community place — come and see what we have to
offer.”
Drawing work-out enthusiasts from rural areas including Ashby, Dalton, Evansville and Barrett, Quernemoen says most of Destiny Fitness’ 90 members are not church members.
For more information on Destiny Academy, contact administrator Stacy Hyttsten at 218-685-4026. Destiny Fitness can be reached at 218-747-3000, or you can read about the church, school and fitness
center at www.destinychurchexit77.org.
