The NorthStar Narrative

Spend five minutes listening to Lily Caballero and you will see why God has her in a NICS Director position. She loves education.  Lily is the Director of Highlands International School in La Paz, Bolivia. She is Bolivian but describes herself as a missionary in her own country due to her father's diplomatic career and exile while she was growing up. Giving credit to God, Lily has followed Hi...

If God exists, why is there evil in the world? How can students defend their faith? What do we do when we are doubting God?  We are so excited to have Bobby Conway on the show today to answer these questions for us, and more! Bobby is the host of One Minute Apologist, but also wears the hats of husband, father, author, speaker, and friend. Listen as Bobby offers credible answers to life's mos...

Imagine going on a 9-month mission trip and having the whole trajectory of your life changed. That is exactly what happened to today's guest, Drew Stamey. Drew participated in the World Race Gap Year and now works for Adventures in Missions, training and coaching future World Racers. Growing up as an MK (missionary kid) in Moscow, Russia, Drew learned to live out the truth "with Jesus, l...

"People are messy. They're all different."  We are thrilled today to have Missy Parks on the show. Missy is the former Member Care Coordinator for NICS, the Network of International Christian Schools. She retired in November of 2021 after faithfully serving NICS for twelve years. During that time, she ministered to countless teachers and staff across the network and left a lasting i...

Join us today as we talk with Iva May. Iva is the founder of Chronological Bible Teaching Ministries and loves to teach the grand narrative of scripture. Iva is passionate about growing bible literacy among Christ-followers and she has developed an easy-to-learn framework to teach the story to others. Listen as Iva walks through the story of the Bible and hear about her brand new study bible that...

" The best thing you can ever do as a follower of Jesus is be obedient to what He leads you to do. God doesn't need us to accomplish His mission,  but he wants us, so we can trust Him as He leads us." We are thrilled to have Jonathan and Mandie Howard on the show today. They are currently in the process of planting a church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hear the story of how God led their fa...

Join us today as we talk with Ray Comfort! Ray is the founder and CEO of livingwaters.com and the best-selling author of more than 100 books. He also co-hosts the award-winning TV show, Way of the Master and has helped produce many other films. Listen as Ray shares how God radically changed him through prayer and how God has used him since. Ray is zealous and has a passion for loving others fearle...

Join us today as we talk with Stan Roach, founder of Belize Sports Outreach! BSO exists to share the Good News of Christ with the children of Belize through the vehicle of “sports clinics”. Hear the story that led to the creation of BSO and the incredible ministry that they offer to schools all over Belize. Stan is passionate about evangelism, missions, discipleship, and family, and that is very e...

Join us as we talk with four NSA students about Christmas around the world! Listen as Keenan (South Africa), Junia (India), Ruthie (China), and Joe (Finland) share their Christmas memories and traditions from the cultures they grew up in! We hope however you are celebrating this year, that you are able to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus! 

Join us as we talk with Brian and Mindy Mullins today! Brian and Mindy are from Advancing Native Missions, an organization that helps individual Christians and local churches get involved in global missions in ways that make sense for them. Listen as they describe the situation in Afghanistan and ways that we can partner with them to help! Advancing Native Missions is one of three causes that Nort...

We are humbled to share a very powerful story with you today. Join us as we talk with NSA graduate, Eman. Eman was raised in Afghanistan and shares the beauty of her country and her perspective growing up there. Eman recently had to make the excruciating decision to flee her home country. Hear Eman recount the events leading up to August 15th and the seven attempts she made to flee from the Taliba...

Have you heard the news from Afghanistan? Join us today as we go behind the headlines and hear from Khalid and Katie Ahmadzai! Khalid is the Director of Economic Advancement at Canopy NWA, a refugee resettlement site in Arkansas. Listen as Khalid and Katie help us understand what is going on in Afghanistan and how we can join them in their efforts to help refugees.  Canopy NWA is one of three caus...

Wow! 100 episodes! Join us today as NorthStar Principal Rachel Knipe turns the tables and interviews our host, Stephanie Shafer! We hope that our episodes encourage, challenge, and motivate you each week. We can't wait to see what the future holds for The NorthStar Narrative!

Join us for this special Thanksgiving episode with our Registrar, Angie Davis! What are you thankful for?

We are thrilled to have Tera Bradham DeNeui on the show today! Tera is a Christian speaker, the host of The Heal Podcast, and the author of the book Swimming for Freedom. Listen as Tera shares how an undiagnosed injury led her through seven years of chronic pain and spiritual darkness, and hear the incredible wisdom that she's gained through her journey. Tera believes that if we grapple with...

Join us today as we talk with NorthStar Academy student, Keenan Watt! Keenan currently lives in South Africa and has a passion for the culture she is immersed in. She has a unique story of how she found her identity growing up and has lots of great advice for students of all ages. Be sure to subscribe to the NorthStar Narrative to hear future conversations on the topic of identity.

Today we welcome Jackson to The NorthStar Narrative! Jackson graduated from NSA two years ago and currently attends The University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. Jackson grew up in Africa and has traveled to many different countries in his life. As his passion for international culture grew, Jackson was able to attend NSA and receive a well-rounded education rooted in biblical truth. Listen as Jackson...

"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a...

"The truth of the gospel is that we will never be good enough to cover up the fact that we are sinners separated from God, and the beauty of the gospel is that Jesus was good enough for us. He sacrificed His life even though He was not deserving of death." Join us as we talk with author and speaker, Sara Barratt! One of Sara's favorite phrases is "reflect and deflect" and...

Join us today as we talk with Brady Duke! Brady is a husband, father of five, former Navy SEAL, and leader of Intervene Ministries. Listen as Brady shares his story of following Christ through all of his endeavors. Be encouraged as Brady shares how God is pursuing you, even at your lowest point. Intervene Ministries: https://www.interveneministries.org/

Join us today as we talk with Carol Bender! Carol is a nurse practitioner who has a heart for high quality alternative healthcare. She has a passion for helping others and spent time doing nonprofit work in Africa before becoming a nurse practitioner and then starting her own wellness clinic. Hear as she credits God for putting regenerative medicine on her heart and giving her the determination to...

Join us today as we talk with Katie Dunlap, a teacher here at NorthStar! She teaches a wide variety of courses and is also a lead teacher. Katie shares heart-warming stories regarding teaching, parenting, and her love for all things Disney.  Katie's passion for Jesus shines bright as she encourages us to cling to Him.

Meet the speaker for our Fall 2021 Spiritual Emphasis Event, Dr. Rusty Brian! Dr.  Brian currently serves as a Senior Lecturer of Theology at Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also an ordained pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, most recently serving in the Bay Area in Northern California (Concord) and Renton, WA. He has also worked as a Youth Pastor and has a passion for conne...

Why do students feel that the only option they have is to cheat on an assignment? Why do they feel that pressure?  What is the parent's role in keeping it from happening? Listen today as we talk with Mr. Scott Berggren, our Dean of Students. Scott shares invaluable advice based on years of experience in helping families as they struggle with academic dishonesty. Be encouraged as Scott shares...

Join us today as we talk with Nick Hays!  Husband and father of three, Nick is an Executive Producer in film, Security Consultant, Public Speaker, Author, and former Navy SEAL. Listen as he shares his experience in teamwork and leadership. Be encouraged as Nick shares wisdom for showing compassion to an angry world.