Home Away From Home: DCA’s Dorm Ministry
July 27, 2026
Remembering Our Founders
A Tribute to Leon Moody
June 12, 2026
Throughout history, the Lord has used ordinary people from all walks of lie to do extraordinary things.
Moses, a royal renegade and shepherd, led the entire Israelite nation out of Egypt by God’s mighty hand. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king of Persia, courageously rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and temple, despite constant threats of attack. Paul, once a ruthless hunter of Christians, became one of Jesus’ greatest disciples.
And in college in the 1950s, a college student named Leon Moody received his own calling to carry out a great purpose in the years to come. This article will cover the mission of Mr. Leon Moody together with his family and the Mel Moody Family to found Dublin Christian Academy.
Through the article, we share heartfelt thoughts and well-wishes from those who knew and loved Mr. Leon the most.
A College Student's Vision Set in Motion
Leon Moody’s college years became remarkable when he first heard the Lord’s calling in his life. As he shared with his future fiancée Barbara Ball, “The Lord has called us together for a purpose that we might serve Him in the years ahead of us.” Although that purpose wasn’t clear at the time, God certainly had plans for Mr. Moody and his family that would shake up Christian education in New England for many decades to follow.
“May we honor his memory by carrying forward the kindness, integrity, and faith that he so faithfully demonstrated throughout his life.”
Following his passion to serve in Christian education, Leon ultimately earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration, joining the crusade of other educators to preserve biblical principles in an ever-growing wave of secularism in US schools.
Meanwhile, a young Florida pastor named Mel Moody (Leon’s brother) had received word from Dr. Arthur Fish of Christian Schools, Inc. that Nelson and Ruth Blount of Dublin, NH, had prayerfully decided to donate their farm to establish a Christian boarding school.
A certain soon-to-be college graduate’s calling was beginning to take shape.
DCA's Foundation is Laid
Still working on completing his degree, Leon Moody was contacted by his brother, Mel, about a potential opportunity at a place called Staghead Farm in New Hampshire.
“We so much appreciate Leon being a pioneer in Christian Education in New England. He was truly a servant of God and was used in a mighty way to help other Christian Schools get started. His legacy will live on in the lives he impacted.”
For Mel and his wife Donna, Leon and Barbara, the decision to move from Florida to a farm in New England, sight unseen, mind you, was an incredible leap of faith. Back in the 1960’s, Christian education in the northeast was scarce, and these two families had to build their ministry from the ground up.
“As our principal, he led with kindness, compassion, and generosity. He cared deeply about every student and always sought to guide us toward becoming better people.”
Alongside the Blounts, the Moodys worked together to lay the foundation for Dublin Christian Academy, which opened its doors in 1964. Mel served as the president of DCA while Leon took on the role of principal.
“I am a teacher today because of Mr. Leon.”
For many years, Leon pressed on, believing that education was a powerful ministry that could impact kingdom work.
A Life's Work, a Soul's Homecoming
Over the years, Leon would serve in many capacities at DCA. Following Mel Moody’s passing in 1994, Leon assumed the role of president, a role he would serve in for ten years.
“Mr. Leon had the best sense of humor!”
Along with this important leadership position, staff and students would see Mr. Moody fill several other roles, some not so conventional. He served as a teacher and a dorm supervisor when those roles needed to be filled, but he would also roll up his sleeves and assist as a part-time farm hand and construction worker. And, at the annual Christmas banquet each year, staff and students alike looked forward to his humorous rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” posing as a rather baffled, elderly Swedish man.
“He loved Jesus, and he loved us students.”
Leon’s dedication to Christian education extended far beyond DCA; he was a true pioneer for faith-based schooling throughout New England. In 1974, he became an original member of the New Hampshire State Commission on Non-Public Schools and also served on the Governor’s Commission on Education. Fully aware that he was building a legacy for future generations, Leon lent his leadership and wisdom to the boards of NHACS, NEACS, and AACS, while personally guiding numerous emerging Christian schools across the region.
“Mr Leon was and is one of the finest examples of a good and faithful servant.”
For four decades, Leon Moody, alongside his wife, Barbara, answered the Lord’s calling at Dublin Christian Academy. After all of those heartfelt, devoted, Christ-driven years of service, Leon retired in 2004, returning to Florida with Barbara to the Maranatha Village in the city of Sebring. There, forever having a heart for service, they found other ministry opportunities that the Lord put in their path.
“He will be greatly missed here on earth, but we take comfort in knowing that heaven has welcomed a faithful servant whose presence will surely be a blessing there as well.”
Earlier this year, at the age of 86, Leon Moody passed away in Morganton, North Carolina, and was received into the presence of the Lord. Beloved husband, father, and lifelong servant of God, he was cherished by the many lives he touched.
Honoring a Servant of God
To honor Mr. Leon Moody, the family will hold a public memorial service at Mountain View Bible Church on June 30, 2026, at 4 PM. The church is located on the Dublin Christian Academy campus in Dublin, New Hampshire, where he spent so many years of his life teaching, leading, and standing up for Christian education in the New England area.
“His legacy is one of faithfulness to God and Christian education, ‘keeping on,’ excellence and humility.”
We are so thankful for the legacy that Leon left here at DCA. As you can tell from the quotes added throughout the article, the lasting impact of this Godly man has touched so many, and it lives on as we strive to serve God as he did.
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26 (NKJV)
“…a prayer: May all of us have the courage, strength, and winsome spirit to serve God just as Mr. Leon [did]!”
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