Over 250 Spartan Lights Ready to Shine Across the Globe

“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)

JH Spiritual Life Includes Community Service

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.

Student Ministry Offers Online Resource Center

Student Ministry Office (Located in the Long Forum) – Online Resource Center:

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.

Students Play Volleyball for Haiti Relief

High school students at GACS participated in a volleyball tournament in late-January to raise money for Haiti medical missions. All together, Spartans raised $4,150 which was added to other Haiti relief collections across campus. The overall total, GACS Haiti relief contribution was $18,148.88. Click on GACS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT 2010 to watch!

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

GACS Finds Ways to Help People of Haiti

February 5, 2010 Haiti Relief Update: GACS students, families, faculty and staff have raised $20,940 to-date in support of the great needs in Haiti. Please continue to pray and contribute.

January 21, 2009 was unlike most Thursday mornings on the GACS campus. A couple hundred students gathered in the Bradford Gymnasium to be a part of the volleyball tournament that was organized to raise awareness and money for the situation in Haiti.

Eleven teams competed with hope of winning the tournament; the prize’s being bragging rights until the next tournament. In the end, the faculty team took home the win against a rambunctious group of senior boys. Although the tournament was exciting, the more exciting part is how much money was raised; the grand total is $4,150.

In addition, GACS is working through Eternal Hope orphanage in Haiti to send support. GACS Vice-President Bill Burton shares: “GAC is currently collecting funds for Eternal Hope in Haiti, the orphanage in Cap Haitien where GAC mission teams have served for the past three years. …We believe that working with a Christian agency such as EHIH will continue to strengthen the relationships our students have already established in Haiti. We know that every penny given will go directly to help the children. …Cash or checks made payable to Eternal Hope in Haiti may be brought to any of the school offices.”

GACS faculty and students and their families are working hard to get involved with the relief efforts in Haiti. Click to donate money through the following organizations as well, or to find out more information.
The Red Cross
World Vision
Salvation Army

Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers. They will need us for a long time to come.

Remember our Troops during this Holiday Season

CHRISTMAS is a global holiday, but not everyone celebrates it the same way. The birth of Jesus, presents, candy canes, a tree, and family time are what many Americans think when they hear the word “Christmas.” Most Americans don’t think about terrorists, war in a foreign land, and being thousands of miles away from family.

There are 151,000 troops in Iraq and about 59,000 in Afghanistan, and they all want to be home for Christmas. Unfortunately, they cannot be. Living in America it can be easy to forget about the troops with all the distractions we face, but the soldiers definitely don’t forget about us. The troops miss America and they miss their Christmas traditions.

Four years ago some people started a program to make troops feel as if they were at home for the holidays. The program is called Trees for Troops. The organization sends donated Christmas trees to troops and in some cases to their families. Last year, over 17,000 trees were sent and this year more are expected. Sadly, the drop-off dates were December 4-6 so no more donations are accepted for 2009. Plan to take part next year.

You can, however, continue to be involved in the many projects by organizations such as The Salvation Army and the The Red Cross. These organizations hosts ongoing projects.

For an assignment a little bit more local, many GAC students participated in sending gifts and supplies to Coach Tim Baker and his troops in Afganistan.  The troops can’t be home for Christmas, but we can bring Christmas to them.

Coach Baker says, “Most of the guys will miss being home. They miss the time with family.  Most see Christmas as a date that signifies they will come home soon”

The tweetup4troops is where people tweet about the troops and get the word out to support our men and women in uniform. Check it out.

Pray for our troops over the holidays and keep them in your hearts.

When Worlds Collide Much Can be Gained

On Thursday, October 29, 2009, chapel at GAC contained a rare mix of topics: the school’s technological advances in addition to Dr. Chi Ekwenye’s personal struggles and the general poverty in Nigeria.

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.

Students Support Norcross House of Joy

Motivation, determination, and perseverance – these are the atrributes that “get a job done.” Bobbi Pack, the heart and soul behind the House of Joy, is a woman who possesses these qualities.

The House of Joy is nonprofit, faith-based organization focused on serving homeless women and homeless mothers with dependent children in Gwinnett County, those who need emergency shelter and crisis intervention services. “Our goal is to share the unconditional love of Christ with our guests in a compassionate, respectful and empowering way,” says House of Joy founder and president.

The House of Joy plans to open this new homeless shelter by the beginning of the New Year. Bobbi Pack has been making efforts for five years to open a shelter in Gwinnett County, as there are currently none, despite the insufficient living conditions of many in Gwinnett.

Now Pack has teamed up with Jeff Foxworthy for a benefit, comedy night. Paul E. Galanti, a retired commander with the U.S. Navy and former prisoner of war, will also be speaking. The event, which will be held in the Long Forum on the GAC campus on October 29^th, could not have come at a better time, considering the current economic decline our nation is facing. Foreclosures and evictions are rampant in Gwinnett County causing more homelessness each day, and Pack is “passionate about fulfilling [her] calling” to serve people during their times of need.

The event starts at 7pm on the 29^th, although doors will open at 6pm.  Tickets are $30 and can be ordered online. All proceeds go towards House of Joy. All those able are encouraged to attend this event that supports a fantastic and worthwhile cause!

Ecuador: Send Us Out – GACS Missions All Over the Globe

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.

Student Council Leads Junior High

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