The NorthStar Narrative

Listen in as we talk with Dr. Ashlyn Burch this week! Dr. Burch is a NorthStar alumna and currently holds a Ph. D. in Physics. She shares how her experience with NSA prepared her to thrive through her post-secondary journey and even now as she works with Sandia National Laboratories. Dr. Burch grew up in Russia and then moved to the United States, so she is able to share a unique perspective on cu...

We are so excited to sit down with Raegan McKelvy this week! Raegan is an Admissions Counselor at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Listen as Raegan gives excellent advice to seniors in the process of choosing their majors and hear the importance of just being yourself through the college application process. Also, learn about a unique financial opportunity for undergrad students! This e...

Join us as we reflect on one year of The NorthStar Narrative!

Join us as we talk with Debra Zhang, International Admissions Counselor for Gordon College. Debra gives excellent guidance to students who are in the process of choosing their career path and college. From navigating periods of transition in high school to college interview tips and whether to take dual credit courses, this episode is packed full of advice for this season of life. Debra also expre...

We are so excited to have three NSA moms on the podcast this week! Listen as we hear from Janelle Johnson, Monica Kepes, and Breanne King. Hear invaluable advice and tips for adjusting to NorthStar and setting students up for success. Be encouraged as they share that when you are at NSA, you are never alone!

Meet the speaker for our Spring 2021 Spiritual Emphasis Event, Mr. Sammy Barton! Sammy has a passion for preaching God’s Word and seeing God work in the lives of students. Sammy believes that students can handle a lot more than our culture gives them credit for, so hear as he explains his love for meeting them where they are and pouring God’s Word into them at such a pivotal age.

This week, we talk with Kimberly Smith, NorthStar’s Student Success Coach! Listen as Kimberly shares what it looks like to onboard with NorthStar and the resources that we have in place to ensure your student’s success! Learn about the importance of our student and supervisor orientations and the valuable tools that we provide to help you every step of the way. Hear helpful advice for pacing, orga...

Kylee Simmons is in her third year at NorthStar and currently serves as the 12th grade student representative. Listen as she shares about her role within Student Council and what it’s like to be a student at NSA. Hear about Kylee’s struggle with anxiety and how her relationship with Jesus brought her freedom and has given her a new perspective. Be encouraged by Kylee’s story of bravery and the joy...

Justin Graves has a passion for sharing Jesus with college students. He is in his tenth year of serving in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry, and is currently the FCA Director at Mississippi College. Hear how Justin strives to keep the message of Jesus simple and build community among students.

Katherine Clark has a special relationship with NorthStar Academy. She attended as a student during her 11th and 12th-grade years in high school, and then returned in 2018 to teach with us! Katherine currently teaches Social Studies, and has even written a course that we recently started offering! Hear the heartwarming story of her experience as a missionary kid and teacher in Chad, Africa, and ho...

Join us for an inspirational conversation with Jason and Sara Harvel. Jason serves here at NorthStar, and he and his wife have an incredible story of living in China and Thailand for a combined 15 years. Listen as they share how we can be impactful for Christ wherever we are and whatever our profession. Meaning and purpose do not have to come from employment. Sara also shares about her involvement...

We are so excited to have Allison Bertholf on the podcast today. Allison has an incredible story of following God when He called her overseas to teach. Hear how God gave her peace in that decision and provided for her in unexpected ways as she served, and how she has used the things she learned overseas where she currently serves. Are you interested in teaching overseas? Learn more about the Netwo...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Eric Alfrey. Eric is the Director of the International Christian School of Lima in Lima, Peru. He has a passion for seeing students transformed and trained through the Power of the Gospel. Are you interested in teaching overseas? Want to know more about how you can answer God’s call for your life? If so, this podcast is for you! For more information about...

Hear the powerful story of Sara Willoughby, a 19-year-old with a chronic illness due to mold poisoning. Sara is a blogger, YouTuber, author, and an absolute joy to listen to. Through her book He’s Making Diamonds: A Teen’s Thoughts on Chronic Illness and her annual Diamonds Conference, she strives to help everyone with chronic illness understand that they are not alone. The story of her incredible...

Join us for a fun conversation with John Heaton! John is the author of eight books and currently teaches three different NorthStar courses! Learn how God has worked through John’s life to lead him and his family to where they are now, and hear valuable wisdom and advice for using creativity for God’s glory.     Connect with John: Email: john@flannelandflashlight.com Publisher website: https://www....

Join us for a special episode on the true meaning of Christmas with our host, Stephanie Shafer! It is our hope that each person listening has a relationship with Jesus and feels His presence this Christmas season.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...

We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Steve Martin, CEO of New Hope Foundation, as well the founders, Dr. Joyce and Robin Hill. Based in China, New Hope Foundation exists to provide a caring and secure environment for orphaned infants and children with special medical and physical challenges. NorthStar Academy is blessed to be partnering with New Hope Foundation this Chri...

Join us for a refreshing conversation with Brenda Gantt! Brenda is a retired Science teacher devoted to education. She is passionate about hospitality and loves cooking. After her husband passed away a couple of years ago, Brenda started praying for God to reveal her purpose to her. God answered her prayer through the younger generation at her church. She was asked to do a cooking show to teach pe...

This week, we continue a conversation with Wren Robbins! Part one of the conversation can be found on Wren’s podcast, Friends of a Feather! Wren is a wife, mom, and podcast host. She enjoys podcast coaching and helping women use their gifts and talents to honor God. Listen as Wren shares her story of infertility and the revelation that she found on a bumper sticker, God’s delay is not God’s denial...

Join us for a special episode on thankfulness with our host, Stephanie Shafer! We are thankful for you, and we are praying that you have a wonderful week reflecting on Jesus and his goodness! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with tha...

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...