I’m always impressed by students who hear about need in far off places and respond not only with their prayers but with their lives. Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, MN has been producing such students throughout its 100 years of education and ministry, as one of Minnesota’s leading private Christian schools.
Founded by Swedish immigrants “to prepare young people both for life and for lives of commitment and service to others,” Minnehaha today has a diverse student body across two campuses. For their Centennial, Minnehaha is taking on a three-fold mission project for local service, a spring mission trip to the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, and a partnership with Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision.
While I was at Minnehaha last week, preaching at their chapel services, I got to see first-hand how this Centennial was not just an ordinary celebration of years past. Gayle Gilreath, director of advancement at Minnehaha, shared the vision for the Academy’s partnership:
“Since its founding in 1913, service to others has been deeply ingrained in the fabric of Minnehaha Academy. As part of our Centennial celebration we are encouraging our students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends to join together in service to others on mission projects with local, national, and international reach. Minnehaha is delighted to partner with Covenant Kids Congo for the international project. Students, Pre-K through 12th Grade are learning about the Congo with a goal to raise $10,000 for a clean water project. Fifteen student service interns from the Upper School are taking the lead on this project and are looking for ways to be involved with Covenant Kids Congo long-term. Minnehaha Academy students are eager to be the hands and feet of Christ alongside the people of the Congo.”
What’s totally impressive and humbling is that the South Campus (Pre-K – 8th Grade) has already raised over $6,000 toward MA’s total goal of $10,000 for Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision. I can’t wait to see what the North Campus high school students do!
We’ll be checking back in with Minnehaha in the coming year, but until then, you can follow their Centennial celebrations here.
