Spiritual life at Sherwood Christian Academy is one of the four pillars of our school’s mission. Students participate in daily Bible classes (starting in K3), weekly chapel services, and two Spiritual Emphasis Weeks each school year.
The opportunity for missions is crucial to developing a servant heart. We give our high school students the opportunity to participate in mission trips throughout the year. Some are right here at home, while others are across the nation and even around the world. Participating in acts of service and sharing the Gospel when young are the marks of a maturing Christ follower.
The students raise money themselves and as a group, through various fundraisers, to pay for the personal expenses of the trip and other service projects they will undertake while on site.
It is our belief at SCA that our students should be given the opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission through various avenues including taking the Gospel to our Jerusalem and to the furthest most parts of the world.
Beginning in elementary school we instill in our students the value of serving others. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 9:35, he who would be first must be a servant of all. With the dual aim of nurturing a spirit of joyful service and enhancing their college portfolios, we require our high school students to fulfill a minimum quota of community service hours before graduation.
The spectrum of community service undertaken by students is notably diverse. Numerous high school students dedicate their efforts to roles within their local congregations, spanning from nursery responsibilities to guiding children’s church activities. Others contributed their community service hours by assisting at SCA’s lunchroom, tending to the grounds, orchestrating sports events, and participating in various productions across the elementary and middle school fine arts programs, alongside elementary field day activities. In past years, many students extended their efforts into Albany itself, serving diverse organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Anchorage Ministry, Drey Line in the downtown district, Family Literacy Connection, Habitat for Humanity, the Lily Pad, the Lord’s Pantry, Morningside Assisted Living Center, MRS Homecare, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the Salvation Army, and the YMCA.
Beyond Albany’s confines, students extend their services to ministries during transformative mission trips. Each year, our high school students are offered the chance to embark on mission trips spanning the globe, both domestically and internationally. Past trip locations have included Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Peru, Holland, Honduras, and Uganda. This year’s mission group of students, parents, and faculty traveled to the Dominican Republic in November. By pooling their efforts and resources, both individually and collectively, through diverse fundraising endeavors, students secure the means to cover personal expenses related to the trips and contribute to various service projects dedicated to aiding others.
At SCA, we firmly hold the belief that our students should have the opportunity to embody the Great Commission, embracing ways to take the Gospel to our Jerusalem and the farthest corners of the world.
SCA experienced a miraculous work of God in fall 2019 following the passing of SCA middle schooler Malachi Russell. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Malachi made a list of 17 people he knew who needed Christ and he was bold in sharing the Good News with them. His life sparked revival on SCA’s campus. More than 100 students made decisions for Christ! We are thankful to the North American Mission Board for helping tell Malachi’s story and what happened on our campus.
Watch his story below and read more on the NAMB website.
