A reflection on this 2024-25 school year and in particular how our scripture verse for the year has made its mark on GCA.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” –Ephesians 3:20-21

Now all glory to God . . . Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! What does it mean to give God glory? Well, I think it is easy for us in our flesh to give glory to ourselves. In fact, before we come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior as believers, our natural default is a sin nature that comes straight from the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. That curse automatically prompts us to take God’s glory for ourselves. The only break on that hold is the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Once we are redeemed, then we start to have meaning into the difference between God’s glory and our glory. As we walk out this pilgrimage in this fallen world, that concept grows in such a way that we begin to transfer what we want for our glory to His glory. We start knowing, understanding, and living the Father’s will in our lives and pursue His plans for our life naturally and not superficially. This is what we have seen growing fervently at GCA this school year! Students that are being discipled to Leave a Legacy of Walking with Christ who are maturing in their faith with wisdom, stature, and favor. He continues to become dominant in their lives so that everything they do is Chris-centered and with a desire to see God glorified!

Giving God glory has made its mark here at GCA as our student body continues to desire Him more and more above all else (check out our webpage, newsletter, and facebook page for all the many ways this has been on display this school year). Throughout the school year, we have seen our students become hungry for the things of God to the point that they do not always have to be asked to pray, serve, or embrace opportunities, they are just doing it on their own. This is what true discipleship should become: students taking ownership of their faith and putting it into action out of their own desire to know Jesus Christ and glorify God.

. . . who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think . . . There is only One that is able: The God of the Universe. There is only One who can save us so that we can be made able: Jesus Christ. And there is only One who can supply the power for us to do infinitely more than we might ask or think: the Holy Spirit.

Throughout this school year, we have seen an equipping of God’s power in the hearts of our students so that they can be ambassadors for God in all that they do; accomplishing infinitely more than they might ask or think. They have put their faith into action and with every obedient step have learned to turn obstacles into opportunities. We have seen people served, people healed, people provided for, and although we have had our challenges as well, God has taken every surrendered battlefield and turned it into a means to give Him glory. And God continues to open up more for them to go after! Praise God for an amazing year here at GCA! May we continue to live for Him in all we do. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” –Philippians 1:6