Spring Term Blog

Day One

by Angela Baddock and Branda Heard

This week marks the beginning of Establish Your Heart, a local Spring Term centered on caring for women and children. Our mission is rooted in the call of James 1:27, which reminds us that pure and undefiled religion means caring for those in need—specifically orphans and widows—while remaining unstained by the world. As we spend the week studying the Book of James, students will be challenged to examine their own lives and reflect on the encouragement of James 5:8 to be patient and “establish your hearts” for the coming of the Lord.

To live out this calling, our program is built on a dual foundation of service and personal growth. Alongside partnering with impactful local ministries, students are also participating in activities designed to stretch them beyond their comfort zones. We believe that stepping into unfamiliar situations builds confidence and resilience, preparing students to serve others with humility, courage, and steadfast hearts.

Branda Heard shared a reflection from our first day, Monday, January 5th, spent at the Ronald McDonald House—a place that truly lives up to its mission of providing a “home away from home” for families with children in the hospital. Our students prepared and served lunch for these families, then headed out to shop for essential donations benefiting City of Refuge and The Hope Center. These first moments of service beautifully reflected God’s compassion and His call for us to love others in tangible, meaningful ways.

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Day Two 

by Angela Baddock and Rose Kuria

This year, our Establish Your Heart program has attempted to help students have the courage to step into the unknown. We are thrilled about a relationship with a new community partner this year: City of Refuge, a faith-based organization dedicated to helping individuals and families transition out of crisis.

One of our students, Rose Kuria, had the opportunity to serve on-site recently. She shared a reflection of her time there:

"On Tuesday, January 6th, we went to the City of Refuge. I was assigned to the three-year-old room, where the main thing I did throughout the day was play with and comfort the kids. They were so excited to see a new face and were very welcoming; I got so many hugs! During playtime, I helped some of the children build with blocks, and I read to others. Throughout the day, several children sought comfort by sitting beside me or in my lap. I saw God working through the City of Refuge’s amazing organization. It started with a pastor who was meant to shut down a church, but instead, he created a thriving organization that helps people no matter their age, gender, or race. The City of Refuge is so welcoming, and God truly has brought together a great community of people willing to help those in need."

Rose’s experience highlights the heart of our mission—meeting people exactly where they are with compassion and grace. Beyond our local service, we are continuing our theme by encouraging students to participate in activities designed to stretch them well beyond their comfort zones. We believe that stepping into unfamiliar situations builds the confidence and resilience necessary to serve others with humility, courage, and steadfast hearts.

To put this into practice, we took our students to iFLY for a unique STEM-focused field trip. The day began with a physics lesson as the students learned exactly how a vertical wind tunnel operates. This technical knowledge was quickly put to the test when they entered the tunnel for two different flights. Each student had the chance to experience a “high fly” with a professional instructor before practicing the delicate balance required to turn and move independently in the air.

The challenge didn’t end in the flight chamber. Afterward, the group headed to the classroom to tackle a complex math problem. Together, they applied their real-world experience to calculate their own personal terminal velocity using the data from their flights. It was a rigorous, demanding, and ultimately rewarding day that challenged our students both physically and academically.

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Day Three

Angela Baddock and Grace Hardeman

Our Establish Your Heart students have continued their journey of service this week, seeking out organizations that provide vital lifelines to those in our surrounding communities. Today, our travels took us just outside of Atlanta to Mary Hall Freedom Village, an inspiring organization that empowers women to break the cycle of poverty and addiction by providing housing, healthcare, and childcare. Our students jumped in with both hands, balancing the physical labor of organization with the gentle care required in a classroom setting.

One of our participants, Grace Hardeman, reflected on the tangible impact of their day spent supporting these mothers and their children:

"On Wednesday, we went to the Mary Hall Freedom Village just outside of Atlanta. This organization provides a daycare and other aid to struggling mothers. While here we organized the food storage closet and the donations closet, as well as assisted in some of the classrooms. In the classrooms, we hung out and played with the kids, held babies, and helped the teacher with any needs, like helping the kids fall asleep during naptime."

The work at Mary Hall Freedom Village served as a powerful reminder that service takes many forms. Whether it was the meticulous task of sorting donations to ensure families have what they need, or the quiet patience required to soothe a child to sleep, our students showed up with a spirit of excellence. We are so proud of the way they continue to model humility and hard work, proving that no task is too small when it is done in service of others. Check out the pictures of the clean closets on Facebook!

To wrap up our day of service, we gathered at the Lazy Labrador to find some quiet time for reflection and continued our journey through the Book of James. Together, we studied James 3, taking turns sharing specific verses that resonated with us personally.

One passage that stood out as a collective favorite was James 3:4–5:

"Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."

It served as a powerful and timely reminder for all of us that our words hold immense weight. Just like a rudder on a massive ship, the things we say—no matter how small they may seem—have the power to steer our lives and impact the hearts of those we serve. It was the perfect note of intentionality to end a rewarding day of community and growth.

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Day Four

Angela Baddock and Leena Stapleton

We began our day today with our devotional at school before we headed out. We read James 4 and everyone shared a different verse that stood out to them. The verses that resonated with me today were James 4:7-8 that says: " Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." There are so many things that vie for our attention today, but if we draw near to God, He will help us stay on the right path. Our outing today focused on the sanctity of life and the various ways our community wraps its arms around women in need. We spent the morning exploring the vital work being done for expectant mothers and ended the day with a physical challenge that pushed our limits. It was a day that perfectly captured our mission: learning to serve with compassion while building the personal strength to lead.

Leena Stapleton shared her perspective on the day's events:

"Today we had a meaningful and fun day overall. We started by touring the Hope Center, where we learned how they support pregnant women and guide them through their journey, no matter what choice they decide to make. We also got to see an RV-style vehicle which they use to reach and help women who may not live close to the Hope Center. After the tour, we served at the Seed Store which is connected to the Hope Center, where women can buy items they may need for themselves or their children. After a busy morning, we ate lunch together at Chicken Salad Chick, and after our lunch, we ended the day with rock climbing."

The visit to the Hope Center offered our students a firsthand look at how mobile outreach and dedicated resources like the Seed Store create a safety net for families in crisis. By transitioning from organizing clothes and Christmas supplies to scaling walls at the rock climbing gym, the students practiced the very balance we strive for: a heart for service and a spirit of perseverance. Whether they were learning about the "mobile" ministry of the RV or navigating a difficult climbing route, they remained focused on growing in both empathy and courage. We are proud of our Establish Your Heart girls!

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Final Day
 
Angela Baddock

To close out our Spring Term, we spent our final day celebrating the community that supported us and reflecting on the lessons we’ve learned. It was a day that balanced fun, teamwork, and intentional time with our youngest partners.

The day began at the school as we set up for our Prayer Partner Party. We have been partnered with Mrs. Nelson’s first-grade class this year, and the students were eager to prepare a special thank-you for them. Once the room was decorated and we were ready for the afternoon's activities, we headed to The Escape Game at The Battery to put our problem-solving skills to the test.

The students worked together incredibly well, communicating clearly and staying focused under pressure. They navigated the puzzles so efficiently that they escaped with 16 minutes to spare. Mrs. Pruitt and I were very proud of their determination and how well they cooperated as a group. Since we finished ahead of schedule, we were able to grab coffee together—a great moment of downtime before heading back to the school to host the first graders.

When we returned, the party was a success. Our students led the first graders in a heart-themed craft and shared cookies and chocolates with them. It was a great opportunity for the girls to recap their week of service and personally thank the children for praying for them while they were out in the community.

We ended the day with our final devotion as we concluded the Book of James. We focused on James 5:8, which serves as the foundation for our program:

"You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Our devotional by Jenni Keller notes that an established heart is one that is steadfast, rooted, and unshakable in Him. These hearts are grown through active, abiding time with the Lord. This truth summarizes our entire study of James: that an active faith and a steadfast heart will keep you rooted in Christ, no matter what challenges life brings. We are so proud of these young women and are thankful for God’s direction and blessings throughout this week.