“Our prayer is that God’s love and the good news of Jesus Christ will be shared through each opportunity. We also acknowledge that it is we, ourselves, who receive the greater blessing. Seeing the hand of God at work around the world
and meeting people who have sacrificed everything for the cause of Christ gives us great hope and joy!”
-Melaney Cost, Director of Student Missions-

With spring break approaching quickly, mission trips are on the minds and in the plans of many GACS high school students, faculty, and parents. From Haiti to Mexico to Kenya, GACS students will be traveling and serving all over the globe. Please add this list of destinations and groups to your prayers as mission teams head out to serve others over spring break.

2010 Spring Break Mission Trips:

Atlanta, GA – “7 Bridges to Recovery“
Ensenada, Mexico – City of Children
Flagstaff, Arizona – The Hopi Indian Reservation
Haiti – “Eternal Hope” organization
Nairobi, Kenya – with Atlanta’s “410 Bridge” organization
Shiloh New York City
Vienna, Austria

“I hope you’ll join me in a commitment to pray for our students, teachers, and parents involved in Mission Trips during  Spring Break.  This is an important and potentially life-changing opportunity for our students. They will literally be traveling all over the globe to teach and serve.” -High School Principal Scott Harsh-

“…the light of each student will shine and others will see their good works and praise
our Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:16)

In late-March, students gather in the quad ready to board buses and serve the Atlanta community.

On March 19th, students in junior high traveled in two different directions in the Atlanta area to serve the community.

One bus of 45 students and 8 chaperones went to the City of Refuge to work in the “Compassion Atlanta” warehouse for the full day. These students worked very hard in a cold environment, but spirits were high and smiles were on faces as much was accomplished.

Thirty students and 4 chaperones also went to the City of Refuge to help clean up the location of this organization. This service will become a monthly involvement by junior high sports teams and other groups.

Another busload of 45 students with 8 chaperones traveled to Dunwoody Nature Center to spend the day cleaning up the area.

A total of 120 students with 20 chaperones spent this Friday in March helping the community. There was a since of joy among those who participated knowing that they had done something good for Atlanta.

Caption coming

ONLINE Service Resource Registration Forms, Permission Forms, SH Service Requirements, Service, Log forms, Food Drive Ideas – and now descriptions of upcoming services opportunities may all be found at the Resource Center link above.

The Service Center is open every Tuesday and Thursday after school (3:00 – 3:30 pm), and Thurs (8:00 – 9:00 am). Sign-up sheets are posted outside Center – available at all times.  Service opportunities are filling up quickly.

UPCOMING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES: Permission Forms must be completed for EACH service opportunity, each date of service. (See the online resource link above for Online Permission Form).
1. HIGH SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE currently underway!
1. Norcross Coop Ministry (This opportunity is FULL.)- Sat., March 20th, 12 noon, Duluth Location, 2275 Mitchell Rd, Norcross 30071
2. Rainbow Village – Sat., 4/17 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Location TBD (local residences)
3. Foster Care – Sat., 4/17 1240 Alpharetta St., Roswell 9:45 am – 1:00 pm
4. Quinn House – Sat., 4/24, 120 S. Perry St., Lawrenceville, 12 noon – 2 pm
5. Safehouse Outreach (This is a NEW Opporunity.) – Sat., 4/24, 89 Ellis St. NE, Atlanta, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
6. Rainbow Village: Mon., Wed., Fri., 3:30 to 6:30 pm; Tues. & Thurs., 3:30 – 5:00 pm ONGOING (Duluth Location)

Collection Needs:  NORCROSS FOOD DRIVE ENDS FRIDAY 3/19
Senior High is currently running a Food Drive contest between classes to collect food for the Norcross Coop Ministry.  We will be sending a group to serve on Saturday 3/20. They will be delivering our food drive donation, sorting and shelving.

The Service Center will begin taking collections for the following items to make it easy for you to support those in need when you’re cleaning out closets, garages, etc.  Please send only new or clean, gently-used items.  Please donate your give-aways . . . not your throw-aways! Bins are located outside the Center, and can be brought by anytime.  Students will sort and deliver donations when groups go to serve during the year (i.e. Foster Care, Quinn House, Norcross Coop Ministry, Safehouse Outreach, Atlanta Union Mission, My Sister’s House, and Meadowcreek School.)

Items Needed: Children/Adult Clothing, Coats & Shoes; Sport Equipment – usable condition (i.e. cleats, bats, gloves, racquets, helmets, etc.); toys – must be in working condition, all pieces included; books, DVD’s, CD’s – youth & teen appropriate (no Rated R); household Items – blankets, throws, towels, kitchenware, etc.; school Supplies – backpacks, new supplies, etc.; toiletries – full size & travel size needed, ie. soap, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrush, lotion (complimentary hotel toiletries are great!)

The Student Ministries at GACS thanks everyone for contributions of goods, services, time, and money for all the community service activities that are ongoing at GACS. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of others.

GACS Volleyball Tournament 2010 from GACS SpartanSpear-it on Vimeo.

At first glance the juxtaposition of these two topics, a progressive learning environment and the embodiment of humble service, are not in any way compatible. Questions come to mind about these two completely different worlds. How can we reconcile Christ-like humility with the view that we must have the best of the best to stay ahead of everyone else?

From that momentous chapel, the answer, in my mind, is clear. That answer, to paraphrase Dr. Chi, lies in the simple fact that what matters most is not the quantity of what we have but what we choose to do with what we have received. Every person at GAC is extremely blessed with amazing opportunities, and students in grades six through twelve next school year will have the unique opportunity of learning in a Digital Learning Environment.

Rather than using these new tools for selfish gain, we will use them to growing academically and spiritually, preparing us to be “world changers.” Every little thing we do for others makes a huge difference. If we can be challenged with 21st century technology while learning, our growth could possibly put us in a better position to help others after we leave GAC. The time and money required to transition to this new, digital environment next year will be well worth it.

A HAPPY TEAM: stands on the equator line, happy about their Ecuador mission trip.

IT’S undeniable that the students and faculty of GACS have been blessed with an abundance of top-notch resources. We often get caught in the hustle and bustle of our busy schedules, which our state-of-the-art technology graciously allows us to manage, and forget about what truly matters.

Do you desire to make a lasting impact on someone’s life, or maybe be impacted yourself by seeing life through someone else’s eyes, someone less fortunate? GACS gives you this opportunity. There are ten mission trips offered this year during winter break and spring break. Some destinations are as close as downtown Atlanta, while others will take you as far as Vienna, Austria.

After submitting an application for the trip, each mission team member will be expected to earn donations to fund his or her trip. The time spent on the trip will also go towards the service requirement high school students must meet each semester.  All high school students are highly encouraged to visit this online source and sort through the documents containing further details about each trip:  http://www.greateratlantachristian.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=323 .

Be sure to pray over your decision and go wherever it is you feel called to go. The Mission Program at GACS is of the aspects that makes the school unique. Check out the information and be a part of an experience that will change your life forever.

Providing food, clothing, jobs, and even classes in the English language is what the Co-op is all about. Recently junior high students at GAC have been participating in the Norcross Co-op to fulfill community service hours as a mandatory class project.

GAC has long been involved in community service in Norcross, in the Greater-Atlanta area, and around the globe. The Norcross Co-op Ministry is just one way of finding a niche for service.  Reach out and touch someone in your servitude and provide an example to all around you. Hats off to the junior high students for setting this example of service!

A schedule  can be found on their website: http://www.norcrossco-op.org/ioppor_oppor.htm.

SCHOOL YEAR THEME: SERVICE

The 2009-2010 school year theme is based upon the mission of Greater Atlanta Christian School: To help each student grow as Jesus did, in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man. SERVICE is the key word for our focus this year. Whether serving in the Atlanta community, the the state of Georgia, across the nation, or abroad, GAC students and faculty are committed to improving our world.