In more ways than one, Trinity Lutheran School Principal David Topp has been a ray of Christ’s light to several staff and community members.

He was recently honored with Concordia University’s Lux Christi award, which translates from Latin as “light of Christ.”

Concordia University in Portland, Ore., annually recognizes an outstanding Lutheran teacher or principal who has at least 10 years of experience. Nominations are obtained from Lutheran Church Missouri Synod districts across the Northwest including California, Hawaii, Nevada and Montana.

Candidates are evaluated on their creativity, leadership, consistency, rapport with peers and students, mentoring abilities and how they exemplify a Christian lifestyle.

Topp learned that he was nominated the day he was presented with the award from a Concordia representative during a schoolwide Trinity Lutheran School worship service.

“I was just really caught off guard — very surprised,” Topp said.

He said it was humbling that others could see Christ working in him.

“I’m just as fallible and have just as many shortcomings” as others, Topp said.

Topp has been at Trinity Lutheran for 13 years. He began his career there as a fourth-grade teacher and became principal more than a year ago. Prior to arriving at Trinity, he taught in a Lutheran school in Utah.

Before he earned his teaching certificate, Topp was a grocery manager at Rosauers and also was a coach. Through coaching, Topp discovered his heart was in education. With encouragement from his wife, he pursued teaching.

Having opportunities to help students grow in their faith was important to Topp, along with the ability to share the gospel with colleagues and staff, which is why he taught at Lutheran schools.

“When the opportunity presents itself, I want to be able to share the gospel with kids,” Topp said.

Topp also didn’t want to have to separate his faith from his career once he walked inside a school.

“Our faith is so intertwined with who we are and what we do, to separate it we would missing a part of who we could be,” Topp said.

Trinity fifth-grade teacher Kristin McCauley nominated Topp and gathered supporting letters of recommendation.

“David has gone from being a teacher, mentor and coach to a dedicated principal,” McCauley said. “He has strived to improve the way we proclaim the gospel to our students, to our families and our community. He has great enthusiasm and devotion to keep the doors at Trinity Lutheran open to all those who want a faith-based education.”

McCauley said she received an email about the Lux Christi award and immediately thought Topp was a good candidate.

“I think no one else at this point deserved it more than David. He serves without concern for attention or applause from anyone else. He is here just to serve,” McCauley said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.