2012 December NCES Magazine

he TRAILBLAZE

winter edition

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Kingdoms c Athleti

LOOKING AHEAD

Making Memories support northland christian The Trailblazer is a publication of Northland Christian, a preschool - 12th grade school.

timeline God has long been preparing the way...

beginnings of northland christian

2005

2006 Jan.

Aug.

2007 Jan.

May

Aug.

Danny McCubbin, then principal of Northern Hills Christian Academy, was visiting churches when he got lost and ended up at Life Christian Academy. At LCA, Danny connected with his former teacher, Jeff Baird, LCA athletic director and assistant principal and they began visiting.

Discussions soon turned to a shared burden to start a Christian high school in the Northland.

In January 2006, Jeff and Danny formed a committee of six LCA parents and six Northern Hills supporters. The Lord impressed a goal, but not a requirement, of 25 high school students for the first year.

The high school became official with the establishment of a Board of Education. Total time from first meetings to first day of class was seven months.

Jeff Baird met with leadership at Harmony Vineyard and they offered to allow the high school to be housed in their facility. The first graduating class of Northland Christian was comprised of three students, and the ceremony was attended by more than 150 guests. It might not come as a surprise that the total enrollment at the end of the first year was 25 students.

Richard Rice became full time principal at the beginning of the second semester of that first year.

As the high school prepared to send out the first graduates, River of Life church leaders began discussions with the Northland board about fusing the schools and creating an independent preschool through 12th grade system.

NC board members stepped out in faith, and the fusion of the two schools was accomplished in 90 days.

The stories of our past help build our faith and remind us of God’s great provision and love.

We encourage anyone with special memories or stories of God at work to send those to Kayla Brady (kaylae@northlandchristianed.com) so they can be shared as an encouragement to our school community.

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MISSION STATEMENT Northland Christian partners with Christian families and churches to provide a God-centered, discipleship-based school with academic excellence and a biblical worldview, equipping students to serve and influence our world for Christ.

Looking Ahead 3 Kingdom Athletics 4 Kingdom Athletics - Quotes 5 Making Memories 6 Support Northland Christian 7 Fun Facts 8 Northland Christian School 4214 NW Cookingham Road Kansas City, MO 64164 816-464-0555 www.NorthlandChristianEd.com Northland Christian Education System Non Discrimination Policy The corporation absolutely does not tolerate discrimination against applicants and students on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin. The school admits students of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at that school and the school does not discriminate on the basis of race in administering its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs (if any), and athletic and other school-administered programs. The corporation will also not tolerate discrimination with respect to the employment of faculty and staff.

December 2011

looking ahead

Two events

happened this fall that will have a lasting impact on our school...

In the middle of October, the Regional Convention for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) was held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty. While it is significant that the event was close in proximity, more importantly our school would be recognized at the convention for earning dual accreditation through ACSI and AdvancED (North Central Association). This represented a journey that would span three years and countless hours of work by the staff and school community.

The board of education made funds available for the Northland Christian staff to attend the convention. School board member Tammie Eby and Mr. Rice were presented the dual accreditation plaque; staff members were happily able to share in this great moment of pride for our school, as well as recognizing what God had done to make it possible. Our staff also attended a variety of workshops and heard inspiring keynote speakers. Being an accredited school is a dream come true!

In the middle of November, the Board of Education hosted a Vision Event that impacts the direction of our school. Held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church (KCI campus), the purpose of the meeting was for participants to share their perpectives on God’s vision for the school.

Our vocal music teacher Mr. Fulmer led the event with a praise song, and was followed by board member Noeida Kuhnert who introduced each of the table facilitators (staff and board members).

Tables were made up of parents, grandparents, staff, pastors and students. Table facilitators helped participants to examine the history, challenges, praises, God’s vision and the gap preventing us from reaching God’s vision for our school. Periodically, groups were given the opportunity to share.

After ninety minutes the event was over, however, what was shared will have an impact on the direction of the school for years to come.

These two events are now a part of the history of Northland Christian.

Years from now, people will be talking about the faithfulness of the school community to seek God’s direction for the future.

Richard Rice, Principal

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kingdom athletics

More Than Skills . . .

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17

Teams at Northland Christian School recently concluded their awe-inspiring seasons in both volleyball and soccer. The varsity boys’ soccer team clinched first place in the Metro Christian Conference tournament in addition to a sweeping overall victory at the Missouri Christian School Athletic Association statewide tournament. Not to be outdone, the girls’ volleyball team nearly matched their classmates’ achievements by likewise claiming the championship title in the statewide tournament and ending their season with a close second place in the conference rankings. At the younger level, Northland Christian Trailblazers’ junior high and elementary volleyball teams also successfully triumphed in their season-ending tournaments.

While the trophies and success are enjoyable, they are not the focus of the Northland athletic program.

“As Christian coaches, we have the unique opportunity to encourage our students to let all of our efforts glorify God,” says Brandy Tanner, NC Athletic Director and Trailblazers’ volleyball coach. “And in doing so, whether we win or lose, we can readily find joy in all that we have accomplished.”

As athletes train and compete, they are encouraged to connect their faith to the efforts on the court or field.

Through Bible studies, prayer and devotions, teams grow not only in their ability to work together but also in awareness of God at work in all areas of their lives.

Tanner says that seeing the athletes’ efforts culminate in such strong seasons this fall was rewarding.

“We don’t know what success is ahead in future seasons, but we are confident that no matter the record, our athletes will have the opportunity to grow in their faith,” she adds.

Northland Christian School offers students from grades 5 - 12 the opportunity to compete against other schools in Missouri and Kansas.

The school offers volleyball, soccer, basketball and track. Each season, NC varsity teams take part in the statewide tournament in Joplin, Missouri.

“In sports, we hear about plays, calls or even individual athletes that, in a single moment, alter the outcome of a game. We call them game-changers...

When it comes to the game of life, however, there is only one true game-changer - Jesus Christ. And once He makes that ultimate play in the heart of an athlete, it not only changes his or her life off the field, but also how they conduct themselves in competition.”

Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “Gamechanger.” Sharing the Victory Nov/Dec 2011.

For a complete schedule of the current Blazer Basketball season, please go to www.NorthlandChristianEd.com.

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“I appreciate the opportunity to help our varsity girls basketball team reach their athletic goals as well as their spiritual goals.”

- Coach Nixon “Playing sports at Northland Christian has been an amazing experience. Before playing volleyball here, games were only things to be won, but since being here my perspective has changed. Now to me sports are more than just winning or losing, they are opportunities to glorify God through the skills He has blessed me with.”

- Sadie, 10th Grade

“Over the summer, I played a lot of basketball. The brotherhood and teamwork we have blows away the atmosphere there. Our guys continually show me how blessed I am to be surrounded by teammates that strive to glorify God. I am proud to be a part of teams like ours.”

- Eric, 11th Grade

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kingdom athletics - quotes

“As a coach at a Christian school, we are offered unique opportunities that we would not be able to do in a public school setting. To be able to challenge our athletes not only on the court, but also in their spiritual walk is truly a blessing.

Emphasizing character above winning is very important to me as a coach. But, if we do things the right way and with a Godly attitude, the success we find on the court will take care of itself.”

- Coach Fulmer

making memories . . .

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support northland christian

pray.plan.praise

More than just a theme, is a process to follow as you look at ways to give to Northland Christian or any mission. Northland Christian School is a ministry dedicated to educating disciples for Christ. To keep tuition as affordable as possible, we rely on other gifts to meet our budget needs.

pray Northland Christian’s funding philosophy says that seeking God and following His lead in all areas is our priority. A portion of that philosophy statement says: We believe the best way to fund the system is to invite people to join God in His work by giving in the ways He leads them to give.

plan As God leads us as individuals and business owners, we are able to follow His plan for how to be stewards of all He gives.

praise Another portion of the funding philosophy refers to the result of seeking the Lord in what and how to give: The result of obedience to God in this area will be joyful giving.

We invite you to take time to read two chapters in the Bible that inspired NC’s funding philosophy: 1 Chronicles 29 and 2 Corinthians 9. As you look at those passages, please pray for God’s leading about how you might be able to invest in the mission of Northland Christian.

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Things to Remember

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All gifts are tax deductible.

Your donation may be made online at www.NorthlandChristianEd.com Northland Christian can now accept non-cash donations! See iDonate below.

Scheduled donations may be made through direct payment as requested.

Your gift makes an eternal difference and is greatly appreciated!

Through our partnership with iDonate we can now accept non-cash donations such as real estate, business inventory, cell phones, boats and vehicles.

Visit our website at www.NorthlandChristianEd.com to submit a donation.

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winter edition

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Chillicothe, MO Permit #106

4214 NW Cookingham Road Kansas City, MO 64164

about northland christian 2012 Serve-a-thon begins...

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fun facts

APRIL

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class days skipped for ministry

202 50+

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68% of families volunteer

average ACT test score

1246

churches represented

ho ur in sc s a student is r hoo a e l each y