Faith in Action

Nicaragua Christian Academy International's vision is to change the future of Nicaragua, and the world for that matter, through educating the next generation with a biblical worldview. One way we are doing that is through a program we are calling "Faith in Action". In its infancy, this program allows high school students to choose from a variety of ways to demonstrate faith in action based on James 2:14-19:

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Students have the opportunity to choose from helping in the cafeteria, helping maintenance, tutoring elementary students, working on the set for our upcoming musical, teaching English classes to Spanish speaking staff, and many other teacher-led activities. It is important to note, however, that students are not forced to be involved in this. 

Peter with two 6th graders.

They also have the opportunity to opt out by choosing a study hall. As a trial run, we are implementing this only on Fridays for now, and we will re-evaluate the success in late March. It is important to note that the teachers prayerfully considered and developed their own faith in action projects. We each decided what we were passionate about and invited students to be a part of that. I decided to lead a group who will read to elementary students during lunch. I had six high school students sign up. 

Joycelin reading to a third grade student.

We made posters to advertise what we were doing, chose books we loved, and decided which age groups with which we would enjoy working. Our goal: "To show Christ's love through service and love." Here are a few pictures of our first week. 

Franz was an inspiration to these 4th grade girls.

Peter practicing with props to make reading fun.

Jessie has a captive audience of 1st graders.

Diana diving into a huge book with Gracie.

In late January, we had our annual ANCA (Association of Nicaragua Christian Academy) teacher's conference. Here, all of the staff at each of the schools under the NCA banner and the director of ACSI Latin America (Association of Christian Schools International) gathered together to worship, reflect, and recharge for the new year. The theme, "We Are Champions" reminded us that everything we do, we should do with excellence for Jesus Christ. The association celebrates 25 years of serving Nicaragua this year.

Collaboration with other educators at NCA.

Praise and worship as a unified mission to Nicaragua.