About Us

A Deeper look at NLCA

In a world that is broken and hurting, New Life Christian Academy is founded on the main theme of the Great Commission: "go and create disciples". NLCA's mission is to equip Christian families for the works of service by providing solid, Biblical teachings and showing how God's truths are relevant in all areas of life. Being the hands and feet of Christ takes practical training and we believe this is especially important in children's formative years.

NLCA Vision:

Our God-given vision consists of supplying the solid foundation of Christ to children from kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. The incoming third graders will have opportunity to graduate high school from NLCA, all the while applying what they have learned out in the community.

Vision Plan

Mission Statement:

New Life Christian Academy’s mission is to support believing families in the discipling of their children through a Christ-centered education. NLCA will accomplish this by helping students learn God’s ways, apply Biblical truths, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

What We Believe:

At NLCA, we believe that Jesus is the son of God, and that he died and was raised from the dead to restore our relationship with the Father1. This act of love2 not only allowed us to enter Heaven for eternity, but allows us to live victoriously on Earth by the in-dwelling power of the Holy Spirit. We will focus on fulfilling the Great Commission in Matthew 28:183, specifically the making of disciples and teaching them to follow all that Jesus commanded them. We are equipped for this mission by the knowledge of the scriptures and the baptism in the Holy Spirit4 so that through Him do the works Jesus did and even greater5!

Scripture References:

1 John 2:2, Romans 10:9, Acts 16:31
Romans 5:8, John 3:16
Matthew 28:16-20
Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5
John 14:12, 1 John 4:17

3 Core Tenants

*1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these things is love.

1. Faith:

Our trust in God leads to action.

2. Hope:

Belief in God and His promises gives us an unshakeable confidence.

3. Love

Treat others as Christ treats us.

NLCA's Founding

While the credit for founding this school belongs to our Heavenly Father and intended to glorify the name of Jesus, Michael and Nicole Ward felt the strong desire to start a private Christian school while raising three young children of their own. When their oldest daughter was 2 years old, Nicole began a 13 month deployment with the U.S. Army that forced the Wards to find a suitable daycare. They believe the Holy Spirit first planted the seed to open a school during this difficult and challenging time. As time progressed, this dream intensified when their twins were born and later enrolled in the same Christian development center that first introduced the teachings of Jesus Christ at a very young age. It was then the Wards felt compelled to seek reassurance and confirmation to God's calling.

Immediately upon declaring the initialization of this project a supernatural guidance intervened with perfectly timed peer connections, and resources supplied at every step of the way. One example is the collaboration with church member and long time school administrator, Tim Brady, who helped ensure this school is built on a solid foundation. In this way and multiple others God confirmed that NLCA was His will and has blessed the work of his laborers. Senior Pastor Rick George was also instrumental in this move of God as he embarked on a faith journey of his own: the building of a new church building. Pastor Rick stepped out in faith and altered the building plans to make room for the school despite challenges created by the Covid pandemic. These two projects intersecting perfectly was further confirmation of the Lord’s desire to bring Biblical teachings to the children of Gardner. Praise Jesus!