Welcome to 2024-2025 at the Academy for GOD
Welcome to the Academy for GOD for the 2024-2025 school year! With our 12th year ahead, we are pleased to announce some new developments that promise to make this school year even more special. This year marks a significant milestone for us, as we have recently attained accreditation with Cognia and gained approval to become an ESA school in the state of Tennessee. This means that we can now offer educational savings accounts, providing students the opportunity to attend private school with greater financial flexibility.
We continue to provide a diverse range of educational programs to meet the needs of our students and families. Whether you are interested in our campus or homeschool programs, we offer something for everyone. Our hybrid options allow for a blend of on-campus and home learning, while our umbrella services provide support for families choosing to homeschool independently. Additionally, our remote learning program ensures that students can receive a high-quality education regardless of their location or context.
We understand that our students are coming back from a variety of summer experiences. From family vacations to mission trips and service opportunities, each student brings unique experiences and perspectives into the new school year. To help ease the transition from summer break to the academic year, we dedicate the first two weeks back to acclimating students into the school environment. These initial weeks are crucial for setting a positive tone for the rest of the semester and the entire school year.
Parents, here are some ways to help your student prepare for a successful start to the new school year:
1. Establish a Routine: Start reintroducing a school-day routine a few days before school begins. This helps students adjust their sleep schedules and get back into the habit of structured days.
2. Set Goals: Encourage your student to set academic and personal goals for the year. Whether it's improving grades, making new friends, or participating in extracurricular activities, having clear goals can motivate and guide them (and you!).
3. Reflect on Summer Experiences: Take some time to discuss what your student learned or experienced over the summer. This reflection can help them integrate those experiences into their school life.
4. Get Involved: Encourage your student to explore the various extracurricular activities and clubs offered at the Academy for GOD. Participation in these activities can enhance their school experience and foster a sense of community.
5. Stay Connected: Open lines of communication with teachers, administrators, and fellow parents. Staying connected will help you stay informed and engaged in your student's education.
As we begin this new school year, we are excited to see the growth and achievements that will come. The Academy for GOD is committed to providing a nurturing and Christ-centered environment where students can thrive academically, spiritually, and socially. Let's make this year the best one yet!
Welcome back, and here's to a fantastic school year!
The Academy for GOD Earns Cognia Accreditation
The Academy for GOD announced today that it has earned Cognia® Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Academy for GOD Earns Cognia Accreditation
Old Hickory, TN – July 4, 2024 – The Academy for GOD announced today that it has earned Cognia® Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school is accredited, and that The Academy for GOD is recognized across the nation as a school that meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
“School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides The Academy for GOD a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” shared Founder & Headmaster, Gregg Garner. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”
To earn Cognia accreditation, schools also must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish. The Academy for GOD is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards, is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.
About Cognia
Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. The result of the merger of AdvancED and Measured Progress, Cognia was formed to bridge the gap between school evaluation and student assessment. As a global nonprofit working in 90 countries, our 40,000 institutions serve and support nearly 17 million students and 800 thousand educators every day. Cognia serves as trusted partner in advancing learning for all. Find out more at cognia.org.
About The Academy for GOD
The Academy for GOD is a Category III & IV non-public school, registered with the state of Tennessee and in compliance with all associative requirements.
As a Category III school, The Academy is accredited by Cognia, formally AdvancED. Cognia® is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Category IV schools are Church-Related Schools, authorized to operate homeschool umbrella programs, as recognized by associations mentioned in TCA 49-50-801.
The Academy is a member of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and aligns itself with the association’s mission, vision, and statement of faith.
Media contact:
Alison Sherrod
Alison.Sherrod@AcademyforGOD.org
615.722.7107
Summer Mission Success with SLAM
This summer, junior high and high school students from the Academy participated in a mission week with Students Living a Mission. The theme, REK’NIZE, drawn from Colossians 3:1-3, informed the sermons by speakers for the week’s Derek Bargatze and Gregg Garner. Students were challenged to consider their identity in Christ (who they are) and how God is asking them to seek things from above (where they’re at).
Each day began with worship and prayer before heading out to service projects all around the Nashville area. In the evenings, students shared meals together and participated in an evening session before heading to focus groups. These moments of reflection and connection helped them process the day’s mission work, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith.
The students dedicated their time to serving local nonprofits and ministries across Nashville including Project CURE, The Bridge, kids’ day camps, and visiting homes of the elderly. They worked without complaint, showcasing a spirit of service by sorting donations, organizing food drives, and assisting with community outreach programs. The following testimonies were shared by some of our team leaders and chaperones:
A Memorable Service Project for Our 7th Graders!
BY KK NADEAU
Our 7th graders took part in a truly special service project at the Madison Church of Christ Garden, a wonderful place dedicated to serving the homeless and elderly daily. Last year, this garden produced over 2,000 lbs of food to help those in need. 🌿🥕
On this cool morning under a sycamore tree, we were greeted by Nature Nate, who eagerly shared his inspiring story of faith and resilience. As we picked onions and potatoes, the students were enthusiastic about the mystery of how many potatoes they’d find under each plant. Nate taught us all about hydroponic gardening using fish poop (which the boys found especially fascinating), rainwater, and limestone. His resourcefulness and heart for teaching shone through every moment. 🌱💧
Nate's story of Obedience, Endurance, and Humility in the Lord deeply touched us all. He shared his testimony which continually pointed to the Lord. We took time to lay hands on him and pray over him, as he is having knee replacement surgery soon. He expressed his gratitude to all the students for helping him do things that were painful for him. Service projects are at the core of our program, but it’s rare to meet someone who gives so much of themselves like Nate does. 🌟
One of the highlights of the day was when we worked together to plant 500 lbs of pumpkins! Each student played a crucial role in digging, measuring, and planting, and with 18 of us, we completed the task in just 45 minutes—a job that would normally take Nate seven hours! Nate’s praise for our teamwork and unity was a true honor, and he even told us the college students who help every summer could learn these lessons from us. 🎃👏
Special thanks to Fawn and Jason Teska, Quinn’s parents, who volunteered alongside us and heard similar compliments from others in the garden. We’ve been invited back in the Fall to help harvest all those pumpkins, and we can’t wait!
A Special Moment with Mr. Odero
BY AMANDA DAVIS
What a full day of service for our crew as we served at Dandridge Towers Apartments. We cleaned 10 apartments and visited with the residents. The people we served were elderly and cleaning for them was such a blessing as we heard them say over and over how helpful we were.
One apartment that touched my heart was that of Lukio Odero a former geograpy teacher from Kenya. He is 80 years old and has been here in the states for 2 years. He suffers from severe back pain at times. He LOVES the Lord and it blasted worship music as we cleaned. Through out he would say Mrs. Amanda “I can’t tell you how much you all are blessing me.” He loved talking with Levi and answering all of his questions.
We sang two songs, “Ni Wewe tu and Yesu Ni Wangu” that the kids have learned at school and Mr. Odero said he felt so at home after we sang with him. He continued to testify and prayed over our students. God’s spirit was with us.
Below I will post a clip of Mr. Odero testifying when he mentions about being new to this land I couldn’t help but think of this verse from Leviticus! Our kids lived out these God’s word today we are so proud of them. They were the hands and feet of Jesus.
33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
An Open Letter Regarding Cult Allegations
In 2021, our institution encountered an unjust challenge when a small hate group launched a campaign aimed at discrediting our college and ministry (GOD International), which has faithfully served communities through education, advocacy, and empowerment for over 25 years.
In a deliberate attempt to damage our reputation as valuable contributors to both the Nashville and global communities, a website and multiple social media accounts were launched under the misleading guise that G.O.D. Int’l is a cult, sometimes falsely claiming affiliation with our parent nonprofit, Global Outreach Developments International.
Dear Reader,
In 2021, our institution encountered an unjust challenge when a small hate group launched a campaign aimed at discrediting our school and ministry, which has faithfully served communities through education, advocacy, and empowerment for over 25 years.
The agenda of the hate group was to undermine our work of ministry and service to Jesus and label us as a cult. By using the internet as a platform to propagate their unfounded accusations, they were able to publish falsities believing our reputation would be maligned and in turn our ministry harmed.
In today’s digital age, it has become alarmingly easy for individuals or hate groups, regardless of their credibility, to publicly malign others. This wave of misinformation and falsehoods has not only distressed Christian families connected to our ministry but also placed an undue burden on Tennessee taxpayers, resulting in investigations that ultimately concluded with the dismissal of all charges due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims made by the hate group. This situation highlights the critical importance of discerning fact from fiction and remaining vigilant against baseless allegations that threaten both reputations and communities.
What You Should Know
Our PreK-12 school undergoes rigorous and routine evaluations by both state and national regulatory bodies that oversee higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations, ensuring our strict compliance with industry best practices.
Achieving accreditation or approval from these agencies requires meeting stringent accountability standards, which involve detailed documentation across hundreds of key areas. This process includes in-depth financial audits, comprehensive on-site evaluations, and presentations before panels of leading experts in Christian higher education. These measures affirm that our operations consistently uphold the highest levels of excellence, transparency, and integrity.
Our accrediting and regulatory agencies include:
The investigation and its impact on taxpayers
Despite our full compliance with all regulatory standards, an unwarranted government investigation was launched following baseless allegations made by the same individuals referenced earlier. This led to an intrusive examination of the GOD Int’l campus, involving a comprehensive review of financial records, health documentation, academic logs, and personal associations.
Among the unfounded accusations were claims directed at our Founder, Gregg Garner and wife, Tara Garner,, which were promptly dismissed as meritless by both the Nashville District Attorney and the courts. The Garners were fully vindicated, their records cleared, and the case definitively closed, with the judge ruling that it cannot be reopened.
The ordeal, driven by baseless accusations and sensationalized claims, led to the unnecessary expenditure of millions in taxpayer funds on unfounded legal challenges. Ultimately, the exhaustive scrutiny served only to reaffirm the integrity and exemplary standing of our school and ministry.
The Defamatory Website
In a deliberate attempt to damage our reputation as valuable contributors to both the Nashville and global communities, a website and multiple social media accounts were launched under the misleading guise that G.O.D. Int’l is a cult, sometimes falsely claiming affiliation with our parent nonprofit, Global Outreach Developments International. These platforms seek to undermine our work by using defamatory language, provocative, out-of-context imagery, and fear-mongering terms like “cult” or “high control group”—despite the site’s own written disclaimer admitting it does not present factual information.
Again, the site itself says it does not present factual information.
Like many online campaigns that spread falsehoods, this website relies on exaggerated claims and sensationalized assertions rather than credible evidence. It distorts ordinary religious practices such as prayer, worship, fellowship, and Bible study, falsely portraying them as methods of manipulation and mind control.
The site also promotes unfounded accusations from purported former members—sometimes fictitious characters created by the website’s administrators—focusing on the Academy’s Founder, absurdly labeling Gregg Garner as a “cult leader” and implying unhealthy control and a lack of accountability. This baseless claim neglects to consider the dedication and hard work of our leadership team of over 70 managers who administer various aspects of The Academy and ministry. It also overlooks the rigorous accountability imposed by regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies, and Garner’s well-established reputation as a leader who has been educating and empowering leaders and communities in ministry for nearly 30 years.
While Gregg Garner has played a pivotal role in the development of our PreK-12 school, his leadership has always been characterized by collaboration and team-building. He has effectively shared responsibilities with a knowledgeable faculty—who teach the majority of courses—a qualified administration that operates independently within their respective roles, passionate pastors and mentors who selflessly care for students, and a governing board that faithfully stewards the mission and vision of the organization. Since our school began in 2013, this dedicated team has worked joyfully to offer Christ-centered education to students of diverse ages, experiences, and backgrounds, solidifying our institution’s reputation for integrity and educational excellence, worldwide.
The Results
Despite the challenges of slander and attempts to damage our reputation, our institution has not only persevered, but continues to thrive and expand.
We are currently in the strongest financial position in our organization’s history. Recent enrollment numbers have reached record highs, reflecting the ever-growing trust and support from our community.
Additionally, we have achieved accreditation status with Cognia as of July 2024 and are recognized across the nation as a school that meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
This remarkable progress stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the steadfast commitment of our leadership and community.
What can you do?
In today’s digital age, where misinformation can easily spread, it is more important than ever to critically assess the sources of information we encounter. The accessibility of creating a website and publishing content means that false narratives—often driven by harmful agendas—can easily proliferate with the aim of damaging reputations. As Jesus taught, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Luke 6:43-45). His followers are called to discern the truth by examining the outcomes and actions of individuals and organizations.
We invite anyone unfamiliar with our community to come and see the fruit of our work firsthand. We regularly host tours and campus visits for those interested in experiencing our community. In addition, our educational approach is discussed on our public school podcast, offering a transparent view of our teachings and day-to-day community life. These resources will give you a clearer understanding of our mission and the values we uphold. We are confident that you will find a community of thoughtful, Bible-loving, Jesus-following individuals dedicated to educating and nurturing the students entrusted to us.
Classroom Conversations Season One
Community Church for GOD (On Campus Church)
The Sermon Podcast (Podcast for On Campus Church)
FAQ
1.Who are these people who made the site?
The website operates under a veil of anonymity, referring to its creators as “the collective.” The so-called “testimonies” posted on the site are attributed to fictitious individuals, those who have admitted to dishonesty (but the site administrators won’t remove their comments), including parents of former Academy students.
Additionally, the website’s use of the term “member” is misleading and inconsistent with the language used by GOD Int’l —or by most organizations with membership structures. In reality, there are no genuine former members contributing to the site that we are aware of.
2. Who is behind the misinformation campaign against your institution?
The campaign is driven by anonymous individuals using fabricated or unverified testimonies to advance their agenda. The website creators remain anonymous and have been strategic in evading legal accountability.
3. Why don’t you engage directly with the website spreading misinformation?
The website operates under anonymity and censors any comments that challenge its narrative. As a result, we focus our efforts on engaging transparently with our community through open forums, social media, and personal conversations. We are also very productive with the wonderful things we get to do that bless our global community and serve the Lord.
4. Can’t you legally have the site taken down?
The website has been carefully structured to exploit legal protections and evade accountability. When faced with legal challenges, they promptly altered content to fall within the bounds of First Amendment rights. Additionally, they consistently back-date posts to conveniently fall outside the statute of limitations for damages. Once again, various comments including some from fictitious characters are inserted to further their agenda, reinforcing the site’s intent to mislead without accountability.
5. What steps does your institution take to ensure transparency and accountability in its operations?
In accordance with our authorizing and accrediting agencies, we conduct an annual audit through an independent third-party auditor. Our campus also receives regular visits from representatives within our ABHE network, ACSI, Cognia, as well as formal review teams, ensuring compliance with all standards for accreditation and re-authorization. Additionally, our events, sermons, conversations, and blogs are consistently made available online for public viewing, providing full transparency to anyone interested in our work and community life.
6. How can current Academy students, families, or alumni contribute to dispelling these lies?
We encourage you to share your experiences with others, with us personally, on social media, or through a Google review! The opposing website and social media platforms are closely monitored, and it is unlikely that they would approve comments that challenge their narrative. By sharing your stories, you can help provide an accurate and honest portrayal of our community.
7. What measures are in place to support students or others affected by this campaign?
We have hosted numerous public meetings and town hall events, inviting parents, students, and supporters to openly share their concerns and engage with us directly. For students and alumni facing familial challenges due to these claims, we offer pastoral care and support. Whenever possible, we have been blessed to mediate between affected parties, fostering deeper trust and strengthening relationships within our community.
8. What future plans does your institution have to continue serving and expanding its community impact?
As Bible-believing Christians, we recognize that we are not the only faith community to face this type of persecution. Our Lord instructs us to rejoice in such moments, understanding that these trials align us with His work throughout history (Luke 6:22). Looking forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding our impact and continue to grow as a beacon of education, service, and faith, dedicated to equipping future leaders.
Made for More: Class of 2024 Senior Trip
Academy seniors, Sawyer, Zeke, Jackson, Toni, Justice, Kiah, Tasha, Quinn, Moriah and Luciana, celebrated the completion of their final year at the Academy for GOD with a few special days together at Panama City Beach, FL. Their time was facilitated by chaperones, Stephen Ownby, Skylar Aaseby, Tara Garner and Headmaster Gregg Garner
Academy seniors, Sawyer, Zeke, Jackson, Toni, Justice, Kiah, Tasha, Quinn, Moriah and Luciana, celebrated the completion of their final year at the Academy for GOD with a few special days together at Panama City Beach, FL. Their time was facilitated by chaperones, Stephen Ownby, Skylar Aaseby, Tara Garner and Headmaster Gregg Garner, who rearranged his very tight international ministry schedule to be present for the students.
Although the weather and swim flags didn’t cooperate too much at the start of the trip, the students made the most of their restful moments together with their awesome “go with the flow” attitudes that characterized the entire trip. The class was given their special, ‘Class of 2024’ hoodies designed by Justice and Kiah, which proudly proclaimed their chosen class theme, “Made For More”, from John 14:12 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father".
The time was filled with meaningful worship, Bible study, and intentional conversations about their futures. They played beach games, took sunrise beach walks, swam, slept in, performed live karaoke for each other, and indulged coffee shops, seafood, Hibachi, and A LOT of late night snacking.
Special thanks to the Garner family for donating towards the cost of the class’s trip to ensure it was a stress-free, affordable, and memorable adventure for all! Shout out to Mr. Ownby and Mr. Aaseby for their always dependable service in bus driving and facilitating fun and safety! The LORD met us with protection and peace for an unforgettable trip to mark all the love, joy and pride we have for these incredible future world changers! We are beyond honored to send them out to represent the LORD and our school!
Written by Tara Garner
