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Nashville
Christian School
is recognized for
its Support of
the Homeless.
Life-Changing Lessons
Take Place Inside and
Outside the Classroom.
On May 24th, at a dinner celebration held at Bellevue United Methodist Church, Room in the Inn recognized Nashville Christian School for its participation and its support of Nashville’s homeless.
Last Christmas—and again in February— students, parents and faculty provided shelter, food, clothing, medicine, and fellowship to Nashville’s homeless through the Room in the Inn program sponsored by Bellevue United Methodist Church.
Room in the Inn, in partnership with over 170 local congregations like Bellevue United Methodist, provides shelter for over 1,200 homeless individuals from November to March. “We depend on communities like Nashville Christian to help us furnish a safe, clean, and encouraging respite for our guests,” said David Reeder – church member and organizer.
Nashville Christian School is a PreK-12th grade college-preparatory school that offers challenging academics from a Christian perspective. “It is our intent, in accordance with our school’s mission, to provide students with opportunities to live out their faith,” explained Connie Jo Shelton, President. “It’s one thing to talk the talk, we also provide opportunities for our students to walk the walk.”
Room in the Inn is just one of several ways Nashville Christian School students can choose to live out the lessons learned in Bible class.
During the flood last year Shelton closed school for two days and organized flood relief teams comprised of students, faculty, and parents. “We split up in 5 teams and went from house to house asking if we could help,” recalled Shelton. And help they did—by tearing out water-damaged drywall and carpet, carrying out salvageable furniture, and offering prayer and encouragement to those who were grief stricken. Even the lower school students lent a hand by making and packing lunches for the families recovering from the horrific water damage. “I believe that our response to those affected by the flood transformed our school,” Shelton reflected.
Nashville Christian’s outreach goes beyond the city limits. For the past 3 years 25-30 students, parents, and faculty have set out for the City of Children in Ensenada, Mexico to minister to the abandoned and often abused children of this impoverished area. “The experience is life changing,” said Lance Curtis – parent and trip organizer. “It is a great way to distance students from the comforts of home—allowing space for God’s transformation to take place from the inside out.” Many Nashville Christian students, parents, and relatives who could not go on the trip found other ways to support their mission—with prayer and donations. “Through their generosity we were able to raise over $20,000 for travel expenses and meals—and deliver over 1,000 lbs of supplies, gifts, clothing, and food,” Curtis added. “Our mission was to go out, witness, and transform lives. Mission accomplished. Lives were most definitely transformed—ours!”
“It is our hope and belief,” concludes Shelton, “that all who go forth from Nashville Christian School are transformed from their experiences here—both inside and outside the classroom.”
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