At the Academy for GOD, we are passionate about promoting academic excellence and fostering environments that support growth for students, teachers, and leaders alike. This commitment aligns perfectly with the work of our accrediting association: Cognia, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to educational improvement, which recently recognized 60 institutions worldwide as “Schools and Systems of Distinction” for the 2023-2024 year. These schools exemplify top-tier education standards, having excelled through Cognia's rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process.
The Academy for GOD is excited to announce the launch of its Professional Development (ProDev) Program partnerships for the 2024-2025 academic year. Now in its second formal year, ProDev connects students' biblical education with real-world work experience, enabling them to graduate debt-free and confident in their career paths. Institute for GOD President and Academy Founder, Gregg Garner, a theologian and entrepreneur, has been developing this program iteratively since 2011. Together with The Institute staff, he is committed to breaking the stereotype that Bible college graduates struggle to find employment.
This year, we proudly celebrate 10 years of our school nutrition program at the Academy for GOD! As we look back on a decade of serving minimally processed, made-from-scratch meals with farm-to-school foods, we reflect on the efforts that have shaped our students' health and futures. Breann Chigumira, our dedicated Nutrition Supervisor, shares her testimony on the impact of this program and the privilege of guiding it from its humble beginnings to what it is today.
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.
This semester, our Academy Remote Learners in Uganda have come together for a film project. Together they are producing a mini-documentary: “Going to School in Nashville from Uganda.”
River, a senior intern from the Academy for GOD, is working with the Community Services program at Global Outreach Developments Int'l. During his time with Community Services, River has been involved in local initiatives that support Nashville’s youth and elderly, gaining valuable experience in community service. In his reflection, River shares a memorable experience with the Cox family, where he learned from their wisdom and kindness. We invite you to read his reflection, where he highlights the impact of service and the deep connections that make this work so meaningful.