Jr High & High Students on Mission this Summer
This summer, junior high and high school students from The Academy for GOD gave their all in a powerful week of mission work throughout Nashville. Partnering with SLAM Missions, these young disciples took their faith beyond the classroom, stepping boldly into neighborhoods and nonprofits across the city to serve, love, and reflect the heart of Jesus.
Throughout the week, students worked alongside Nashville-based organizations like McKendree Village, Catholic Charities of Tennessee, The Branch of Nashville, and FiftyForward. From food pantries to senior living homes, local gardens to children's camps, they embraced each opportunity to serve with humility and joy. Tasks varied—from preparing and delivering meals to cleaning, facilitating activities, and simply spending quality time with seniors or underserved families. Every act of kindness was rooted in their desire to live out teachings from the bible in real, tangible ways.
A true highlight of the week was the students’ leadership at three kids camps, each serving refugee children from Somali, Colombian, and Afghan backgrounds. Through songs, storytelling, crafts, and joyful play, our students created a safe and Christ-centered environment where each child was seen, celebrated, and loved. These were beautiful moments of cross-cultural ministry—full of laughter, connection, and the unmistakable presence of God.
With SLAM, service is only part of the experience. Each evening, students gathered together for worship and Bible study, and what unfolded in those sacred moments was deeply transformative. Students shared times of worship and testimonies, prayed over one another, and experienced spiritual breakthroughs that our staff prays will carry into every area of their lives.
The week's spiritual anchor came through the “Nu Nation” Bible study series, led by The Academy Head of School, Mr. Garner, and our dedicated Academy staff. Centered around 1 Peter 2:9, students explored what it means to be part of God’s chosen nation—set apart, with a unique purpose. They considered questions like:
What is a nation in God’s eyes?
What are we building with our lives?
What does it mean to be a chosen priesthood?
Students were challenged to see themselves as bridge-builders—priests in their schools, families, and friend groups, called to help others connect with the living God.
We are incredibly proud of each student who gave up part of their summer to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Their willingness to serve, learn, worship, and grow was nothing short of inspiring. A heartfelt thank you goes to the local nonprofits who welcomed us, and to our amazing teachers and staff who guided students in connecting Bible teaching with everyday mission.
This summer, our students had the opportunity to live the mission. And in doing so, they brought light, hope, and the love of Christ to the heart of Nashville.
Watch the SLAM 2025 Review Video below!
Summer Mission Success with SLAM
This summer, junior high and high school students from the Academy participated in a mission week with Students Living a Mission. The theme, REK’NIZE, drawn from Colossians 3:1-3, informed the sermons by speakers for the week’s Derek Bargatze and Gregg Garner. Students were challenged to consider their identity in Christ (who they are) and how God is asking them to seek things from above (where they’re at).
Each day began with worship and prayer before heading out to service projects all around the Nashville area. In the evenings, students shared meals together and participated in an evening session before heading to focus groups. These moments of reflection and connection helped them process the day’s mission work, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith.
The students dedicated their time to serving local nonprofits and ministries across Nashville including Project CURE, The Bridge, kids’ day camps, and visiting homes of the elderly. They worked without complaint, showcasing a spirit of service by sorting donations, organizing food drives, and assisting with community outreach programs. The following testimonies were shared by some of our team leaders and chaperones:
A Memorable Service Project for Our 7th Graders!
BY KK NADEAU
Our 7th graders took part in a truly special service project at the Madison Church of Christ Garden, a wonderful place dedicated to serving the homeless and elderly daily. Last year, this garden produced over 2,000 lbs of food to help those in need. 🌿🥕
On this cool morning under a sycamore tree, we were greeted by Nature Nate, who eagerly shared his inspiring story of faith and resilience. As we picked onions and potatoes, the students were enthusiastic about the mystery of how many potatoes they’d find under each plant. Nate taught us all about hydroponic gardening using fish poop (which the boys found especially fascinating), rainwater, and limestone. His resourcefulness and heart for teaching shone through every moment. 🌱💧
Nate's story of Obedience, Endurance, and Humility in the Lord deeply touched us all. He shared his testimony which continually pointed to the Lord. We took time to lay hands on him and pray over him, as he is having knee replacement surgery soon. He expressed his gratitude to all the students for helping him do things that were painful for him. Service projects are at the core of our program, but it’s rare to meet someone who gives so much of themselves like Nate does. 🌟
One of the highlights of the day was when we worked together to plant 500 lbs of pumpkins! Each student played a crucial role in digging, measuring, and planting, and with 18 of us, we completed the task in just 45 minutes—a job that would normally take Nate seven hours! Nate’s praise for our teamwork and unity was a true honor, and he even told us the college students who help every summer could learn these lessons from us. 🎃👏
Special thanks to Fawn and Jason Teska, Quinn’s parents, who volunteered alongside us and heard similar compliments from others in the garden. We’ve been invited back in the Fall to help harvest all those pumpkins, and we can’t wait!
A Special Moment with Mr. Odero
BY AMANDA DAVIS
What a full day of service for our crew as we served at Dandridge Towers Apartments. We cleaned 10 apartments and visited with the residents. The people we served were elderly and cleaning for them was such a blessing as we heard them say over and over how helpful we were.
One apartment that touched my heart was that of Lukio Odero a former geograpy teacher from Kenya. He is 80 years old and has been here in the states for 2 years. He suffers from severe back pain at times. He LOVES the Lord and it blasted worship music as we cleaned. Through out he would say Mrs. Amanda “I can’t tell you how much you all are blessing me.” He loved talking with Levi and answering all of his questions.
We sang two songs, “Ni Wewe tu and Yesu Ni Wangu” that the kids have learned at school and Mr. Odero said he felt so at home after we sang with him. He continued to testify and prayed over our students. God’s spirit was with us.
Below I will post a clip of Mr. Odero testifying when he mentions about being new to this land I couldn’t help but think of this verse from Leviticus! Our kids lived out these God’s word today we are so proud of them. They were the hands and feet of Jesus.
33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
