About/Faith

Servant leadership begins with faith.

A Biblical Worldview

At GCA, our faith is integral to our heart. We incorporate biblically based truth and teachings in all that we do, in order to support students, families, and each other to live out the calling God has placed on our lives, individually and together.

We are a private Christian school that grows students into servant leaders.

By focusing on whole-person development, we ensure our students don’t just excel academically, but that they are prepared for spiritual growth and leadership to impact the world. All of our students in grades K-12 study the Bible daily as a core class. They also participate in our weekly chapel services that are held separately for grades K-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Our students have the opportunity to be a part of small group bible studies within their class and through family groups that span multiple grades in order to build community so that we can better serve the Lord together. Twice a year, our students spend an entire school day in our Spiritual Renewal retreats.

Essential Beliefs

The One True God

We believe that God exists eternally and that He manifests Himself in three persons … God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, was crucified, buried, and rose bodily from the grave and will come again to this world to reign in righteousness.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that a person is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ at the time of conversion; this baptism results in a believer being filled and supernaturally empowered for service through spiritual gifts.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is our supreme authority, and it is sufficient as our only rule of faith and practice. The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit and it is truth without any mixture of error.

Salvation

We believe that forgiveness of sin, salvation, and new life is made possible by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. This salvation is by grace, through faith, and by the appropriation of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Eternity

We believe there shall be a resurrection of the saved to eternal life and a resurrection of the unsaved to eternal punishment in hell. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.

Statement of Biblical Expectations

Scripture teaches that certain attributes are available to individuals through the Holy Spirit which include “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-24). This “fruit of the Spirit” is to energize and characterize our relationships and interactions.

In contrast to encouraging these positive attributes of the heart, Scripture condemns attitudes such as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, and hatred. Although these attitudes are sometimes difficult to discern, they often lead to unacceptable behavior and always hinder relationships with God and others. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:1-2).

Certain behaviors are expressly prohibited in Scripture. Members of the body of Christ, not just GCA, should abstain from and flee from these things. They include theft; lying; dishonesty; gossip; slander; backbiting; crude, vulgar, and profane language; sexual activity and/or gratification outside of the bonds of marriage; intoxication; immodesty; and occult practices.

Gambling (exchange of money and/or goods by betting or wagering) is viewed to be an unwise use of God given resources, to promote a greedy spirit, and to put faith in luck or chance, and, therefore, is not acceptable in any form on school grounds or at school activities (Colossians 3:1-2, 5-6; Exodus 20:15; 1 Corinthians. 10:31).

In keeping with Scriptural admonitions to bring ourselves under the authority of government, members of GCA are expected to uphold the laws of the local community, the state of Ohio, and the nation to the extent that obedience to such laws does not require disobedience to God.

View our Foundational Documents

Statement of Institutional Expectations

In addition to the above biblical expectations, students and parents/guardians of GCA voluntarily commit themselves to the following standards of behavior. This commitment results from the conviction that these standards serve the good of the individual as well as the school. These standards are not necessarily set forth as absolutes or as an index of spirituality. They do, however, define the parameters that govern life in GCA. Violations of these standards are regarded as a serious breach of integrity within the community. Therefore, the following standards apply to students, staff, and administrators at GCA.

While some in our community worship on Saturday, GCA recognizes Sunday as a day set apart primarily for worship, fellowship, ministry, and rest. While activities such as recreation may be a part of the day, mandatory school programs, games, rehearsals, and services will not be sanctioned except with pre-approval by the Administration. In addition, GCA also recognizes Wednesday evenings as a time to join other Christians for mid-week study and fellowship. Since services on Wednesday are later in the evening, GCA may hold some practices or rehearsals immediately after school, completing activities and events by 5:00 PM (year round) unless approved by the Administration.

Because of our concern for the worth and dignity of persons, each member of the community is expected to be sensitive to special needs existing in our society and on our campus. Any kind of demeaning gesture, threat of violence, physical attack, or overt, unwelcome, or disrespectful attention will not be tolerated.

Consideration for others and the development of a Godly worldview are important; therefore, all members of the community should strive to develop tastes and preferences in art, music, film, and broadcast media that derive great pleasure from the things God calls good while avoiding those things from which he has admonished us to flee (2 Timothy 2:22).

Members of the community are subject to the demands of academic integrity such as honesty and giving credit to sources.

Compliance with GCA’s routine day-to-day policies and procedures is expected from all members of the community. These routine items are listed in the handbook or are made known to students, staff, and administrators through normal channels of communication. Likewise, teachers must establish clear guidelines for procedures and conduct in their classrooms that are consistent with this covenant. Students must abide by those guidelines.

"GCA includes Christ in everything we do. Every person here has a story of how God has moved in them. Our teachers and staff here tell you their testimonies and share how God is working in their life. Seeing and listening about how God uses those around me to further His kingdom encourages me to look for God in each part of my own life. My faith is strengthened because of this school. The things I learn here help reinforce what I learn at church and at home, and make my relationship with Christ that much more personal."

– Chloe Hansen, Class of 2023

"My husband grew up in a Christian school, and really wanted our children to have the same opportunity. I had to be convinced, but I am fully committed in that decision now. The academics are amazing and her ability to stand firm in her faith makes me grateful that she can attend. In Kindergarten, Eva learned a valuable lesson to not give into fear. We are so thankful she has carried that in her heart, throughout 2020!"

– Bethany Malloy, Parent

"I have grown so much in my faith this year because of our amazing staff! Our culture, especially in the last several months, has pulled young people in so many directions, forcing us to reexamine our values and beliefs based on Biblical truth. Being in a Christian environment during this time has really helped my faith and encouraged me!"

– Ella Pound, Class of 2022

"There is so much that we love about GCA! We love that his education is Bible-Based and how much the teachers love and care for their students. Ronny's prayer life has grown as a kindergartener and I am so grateful for the faith foundation he is learning from studying the Bible."

– Ronda Graham, Parent