Hanggang Sa Muli, Neethers

Mr. Neethling on the senior trip in Puerto Rico

Tyler Neethling, the tenth- through twelfth-grade Bible teacher, has been at Judah for only two years. Yet it was time well spent. Mr. Neethling’s time at Judah has impacted all sorts of students’ lives. From his passionate and interactive approach to teaching the Bible, to the personal and humorous way he makes students feel welcome, Mr. Neethling’s short tenure has had a lifelong impact on Judah students. 

Mr. Neethling’s laid-back but participatory method of teaching has motivated students to want to learn more about Jesus rather than seeing the Bible as just another class. Junior Jack Dalbey said, “His approach is unlike anything I’ve seen before. He has a face-to-face connection with students, rather than relying on workbooks. I got to know more of who Jesus is and what He wants with me.” 

This sentiment was echoed by senior Lydia Tian, who said, “He makes class so enjoyable. It’s not dull and boring. Mr. Neethling’s Bible class has strengthened my faith.” Senior Braydon Mora has been similarly impacted by Mr. Neethling. Mr. Neethling helped Braydon come to faith. Braydon shared how “Mr. Neethling was someone who encouraged me to give my life to Jesus. Not forcefully, but he would remind me every day to build a relationship with Jesus.”  

Mr. Neethling’s sense of humor has allowed students to relate to him and feel comfortable around him. “Neethers” hasn’t just been the Bible teacher. He’s been a friend who genuinely enjoys spending time with us. Some famous Mr. Neethling memories include impersonating his students and his many random noises littered throughout his class. Juniors Josh Kursell and Dom Mortenson recall exchanging mischievous stories at the gazebo. The senior boys bunked with him at retreat, and they were continually scaring each other or attempting to go fishing at dawn before realizing that they didn’t have any of the tackle to do so. 

Mr. Neethling’s down-to-earth persona translates out of the classroom and lets students trust and build a relationship with him. Mr. Neethling and his students help each other grow and learn to walk with Jesus in their salvation. Mr. Neethling has shown his students that everyone, regardless of age or experience, needs to continually seek Jesus, even the Bible teacher. Mr. Neethling not only teaches this, but he is also a great example of it. 

Mr. Neethling now looks to carry his vibrant personality and passionate teachings to the Philippines. The Philippines have always been in the future for the Neethling family. Mr. Neethling just never thought that it would be so soon. He said, “We had in mind that we would end up in the Philippines. We just thought that’s going to be like ten years down the road. But this year God said, ‘It’s time to start thinking about the Philippines again.’” The Neethling family had originally planned to start their journey in the Philippines in 2020. But the circumstances of that pandemic year made it difficult for that to happen. God’s timing after just two years at Judah was a surprise, but Mr. Neethling is ready to answer the call. 

While we wish we could hang onto Mr. Neethling forever, it’s evident that God has called him overseas. Mr. Neethling gave insight into why he feels called to a tropical archipelago in Southeast Asia, of all the places in the world. He said that “we feel specifically called to the Philippines because of the Christian school we get to work with,” Faith Academy in Manila. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neethling will be working as boarding parents at this boarding school, which brings in students, largely from missionary families, from many eastern hemisphere countries. Mr. Neethling describes the job as “essentially being mom and dad for their four years of high school.” So it’s a much larger scale of what he does here at Judah. He said, “We make sure they get their homework done, send them to school, get them to practice, go to their concerts and games, and just be mom and dad.”

Not only that, but Mr. Neethling gets to disciple students, have family devotions, and host a house church. He said, “We are with them, and they are with us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” It’s a tall task, but one that the Neethling family can tackle. “We have a very deep passion for student ministry,” Mr. Neethling said. “That’s where our hearts lie, giving our life and being in theirs.” Whether it’s planning a chapel, worshipping through music, or helping local ministries, Mr. Neethling has proven that he can do it here at Judah, and he is ready to be heavily involved in students’ lives across the globe.

Of course, moving your family around the world is no easy task. Mr. Neethling said they are “shipping some things, storing very little, and dumpstering the rest.” He added, “So when we get over there, we’ll just have to start over again.” Mr. Neethling has taught his students over and over about sacrifice and trusting God to provide. Now he goes from teacher to example. It shows the credibility and trust Mr. Neethling has with his students. He talks the talk and walks the walk of the Christian life, motivating his students to do the same. 

The Neethlings on their way to the Philippines

Mr. Neethling will leave the States for the next chapter of his life in July. He wants to enjoy the rest of his time at Judah before he departs. We hate to see the Neethlings leave, but it’s hard not to be excited to see what God has in store for them. Mr. Neethling said it’s not so much a goodbye but a “see you soon.” He said, “I’ll be back and able to visit before too long.” His final message to Judah, and to the students that he has poured into during his time here, is this: “Don’t ever stop asking for more of Jesus, ever.” 

Hanggang sa muli, Neethers. “Until we meet again.”

—Keaton Welch, class of ’25