True Leadership in Action

When HCA was established four years ago, one of the academy’s first priorities was to develop
opportunities for students to be actively involved in service outside the school itself. Toward that end, Steve Adams, the Dean of Spiritual Life and Technology, met regularly with several parents who were passionate about this topic. It quickly became evident that they wanted to find a way for the students to develop long-term discipleship relationships through service rather than involvement in a series of one-and-done projects.

Simultaneously, in God's providence, a new ministry was starting in Johnson County focused on reaching out to unreached people in our community ... a ministry with a "neighbor's heart" - taking Jesus to people in need by extending help and hope. As HCA representatives talked with the leadership of this new ministry, Mission Southside, it became obvious that a partnership would be mutually beneficial.  In the spring of 2011, HCA began a student-led discipleship ministry to a group of elementary students in a local community.

"My passion is to see the kids respond to the message of Jesus for the first time. It's powerful to think that we can be a part of that,” said junior Adam Asselta.

Every Wednesday afternoon for the past four years, HCA students travel through this community on one of the HCA buses and pick up kids as they arrive home from school. After arriving at a local church, which has generously provided their facility, HCA students lead a Bible study and activity time for these elementary students.

This is truly a student-led ministry. HCA students prepare the weekly Bible studies, plan the activities, promote special events, and basically show love and compassion to the neighborhood kids each week. In addition, they recruit succeeding leadership from the student body for the sustainability of the ministry.

"More than anything else, I love seeing the smiling faces on the students as they see our bus arrive; they are so excited to see us,” said senior Emily Hocker. “It is so gratifying when we can see them grasping the Bible story, asking questions, being involved ... it makes it worth going every week.”