The NorthStar Narrative

Kristi Velasquez has been with NorthStar Academy for 5 years as a teacher and curriculum writer. She is married to her husband Todd and they have two children. Todd serves in the United States military, so their family has moved many times as he has served in active duty. Learn how being in the military connects to being a disciple without a permanent home. Kristi believes you can still have authe...

We sat down and had an informative conversation with Stephen Kirkpatrick this week. Stephen, affectionately dubbed Coach K, is the head baseball coach at Northpoint Christian School in Southaven, Mississippi. Listen as he shares wisdom in leading students through wins and losses, and provides excellent advice for students seeking NCAA eligibility for playing college-level sports. 

Join us this week for an authentic episode with Susan Carreno. Susan is a wife, mom of four, and Spanish teacher here at NorthStar. She grew up as a missionary kid (MK) in Colombia and offers advice for students that may be MK’s as well. She has invaluable advice for raising kids and pointing them to Christ. Listen as she shares her mantra, “Love God, Love Others,” and the practical tips she has f...

Join us for an encouraging and motivating episode with Jerrod and Amber Brooks. Jerrod serves as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Olive Branch, Mississippi. He and his wife Amber have served in ministry together for the past 13 years. Living life in ministry and raising four kids brings with it a lot of wisdom and practical advice for marriage and parenting. Listen as Amber shares how...

Join us for a fun, honest, real conversation with Hunter and Kelsey Bobo! Hunter is the worship pastor at Redeemer Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, fundraiser coordinator for Fund the Nations, and singer/songwriter for his band, Sow and Tether. Kelsey serves as the Childcare Administrator at their church, teaches Language Arts to 6th and 7th graders all over the world here at NorthStar...

Join us as we talk with Seana Sundermeyer this week! Seana is a military wife, mom of two, author, and NorthStar teacher. She is also currently working on her doctorate degree! Listen as Seana walks us through what military and ministry life looks like for her family. Be encouraged as she shares how God provided peace and hope during a season of sorrow, and how she shares that same hope with stude...

Join us as we talk with Remedy Drive singer and songwriter, David Zach as he shares the riveting story of how he fights against human slavery. Over seven years ago, David was propelled by God to join The Exodus Road, a nonprofit organization on a mission to find and free those that have been bought, sold, abused, and enslaved. Since then, he has been on 12 trips overseas to spy on criminal organiz...

Hear the inspiring story of Amanda McPhail as she shares how an 'Adoption Sunday' at church began a conversation between her and her husband that led them to foster care. Amanda explains how God has shown her how to be content in her current season as a foster mom. God has taught her patience and trust through struggles, and how to truly reflect the love of Christ to those around her. 

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Carmen Lane as she shares how we can respond to thoughts surrounding fear, defeat, and lack of trust. Listen as she gives examples from the Bible that point to the stability and structure that students need, especially during the uncertain times that we are all facing. Hear practical advice on how to combat battles, stay engages, and cling to the hope that...

Join us for a fun conversation with Caroline Saunders: pastor’s wife, mom of three, and writer! Listen as she shares her mantra “Taking Jesus seriously, and not much else,” and her biblical reasoning for living her life in this way. Gain practical tips for studying the bible and truly understanding what it says and how to apply it to your life.  Find Caroline’s writing, resources, and ridiculousne...

“What I thought was something burning down was something getting ready to be built.”  Hear the inspiring story of Dave Decker, Jr, founder of LightsOut, a nonprofit organization that ministers to artists, speakers, and bands on the road. Dave shares how he led youth ministry and came to a point where he realized God had an even bigger calling for his life. God has provided for the Decker family, a...

Join us as we talk with Melinda Whited, a mom of 7 children on the mission field in Southeast Asia. Melinda shares how God has provided for her family over the past decade, including providing the exact resources she has needed for her children with dyslexia. Learn the signs of dyslexia and hear advice that she has picked up along the way. Melinda strives to teach her children to pray for unreache...

Hear the fascinating story of Tammy Miller as she shares what it’s like to grow up in a jungle in South America as a missionary kid and then later go back as an adult and serve as a missionary. She will share how God provided a way for her sons to do online school so that they could do His work. Hear how God did amazing things to provide for this family!

Join us as we talk with Lisa Newman! Lisa discusses growing up as a pastor's kid, navigating the season of becoming a mom, life in ministry, and struggles with depression. She shares how she gained strength from God and why she chooses laughter each day. Listen and be encouraged! 

Listen in as we talk with Pastor Bartholomew Orr! Known to many as the "flying pastor," Pastor Orr serves as the Senior Pastor at Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven, MS. Pastor Orr discusses bullying, George Floyd, racial issues, and the importance of being proactive about instilling the truth of God's Word into the next generation. Gain practical advice about how to handl...

Join us again with author and social entrepreneur Stephen James. Listen as Stephen discusses his latest book, Parenting with Heart: How Imperfect Parents Raise Resilient, Loving, and Wise-hearted Kids. Hear advice for parents with toddlers through teenagers.

Join us as we talk with author and social entrepreneur Stephen James. Stephen has a Masters in Counseling and has been in the field for 20 years. Listen as he shares advice on how to identify and cope with anxiety.

Continuing the conversation with my friend, Menya Jefferson. 

A raw conversation with my friend, Menya Jefferson. 

NorthStar Academy alumna Morgan Raines shares what it was like to be a student at NSA and how the skills she acquired helped to prepare her for college. Hear her share about traveling to over 17 countries while she completed her courses and the leadership opportunities she's had in college because of the experience she had at NSA!

NorthStar supervisors play a vital role in online learning. So what does that look like? How much time does it require? Listen as Cathy gives practical tips and advice about what it takes to be a productive NSA supervisor. Learn how online courses prepare students for college in areas of communication, time management, and overall independence. 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in Afghanistan? Listen as NorthStar alumni Tayyab shares his inspiring story of perseverance. He will share how dedication and hard work allowed him to overcome adversity and make a change to better his life.

Listen as Chris shares how he answered a calling from God to move from Arkansas to Ankara, Turkey. He will share many challenges that he and his family faced and tell how God used hard circumstances to show His goodness. Chris learned that when he followed God’s plan, everything fell into place.

NorthStar Academy Senior Savannah Laux joined NSA’s school newspaper, not knowing what her future would hold. Hear how stepping out in faith and taking the initiative to ask to join the newspaper led to her getting over 69K in scholarships. Savannah will walk through her time on the newspaper staff, share helpful tips on what you need to do to get into colleges, and what she did to determine which...

Have you considered homeschooling your student, but don't know where to start? Listen as Audra Laney tells how God showed her that her idea of homeschooling was not at all what she thought it was. She shares her journey and how God has completely reshaped her relationship with him and her children through homeschooling.