Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. at NCA

On the third Monday of every January we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a federal holiday set aside to honor his birthday, most schools, including Northside Christian Academy, a Christian academy in Charlotte, N.C., are closed.

But for us, it’s more than a day away from test prep, classroom instruction and schoolwork – it’s a day to reflect on the influence of a man who believed that service to others is the greatest good to which we can aspire. At the heart of his crusade for civil rights was the belief that social injustice and racial inequality were detrimental to all of humanity, not just to African Americans. So throughout Charlotte and throughout the country, many people use the time off from work and school to volunteer for causes that are important to them.

“Life’s most persistent question is ‘what are you doing for others?'” said Dr. King.

And as he selflessly fought for the rights of every man, woman and child, he envisioned a future where people are judged not on the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

He encouraged each and every person to set aside their own desires to lift up their brothers and sisters – to make the world a better place for today and for the next generation.

“Make a career out of humanity, and you will make a greater person of yourself, a greater generation of your country, and a fine world to live in,” he said. To King, those weren’t just empty platitudes – dedication to the good of all mankind was the fuel that drove his passion.

In only 11 short years, Dr. King gave more than 2,500 speeches, spreading his message of peace and healing. He was arrested more than 20 times, risking and ultimately losing his life for the cause in which he believed so deeply.

But Dr. King also believed that educators have a part to play in shaping the future for the next generation. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education,” he said.

At Northside Christian Academy, we share Dr. King’s vision. Raising young women and men to be compassionate, thoughtful Christians is the highest goal of our instructors and administrators. By placing Christ first and living an authentic life of service to Him and to others, we aspire to create dedicated disciples who will then in turn influence the world for the greater good

All NCA students are encouraged to give back to their community in the form of Christian service. As a student body we support groups such as Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child as well as other ministries through multiple community service projects. Beginning in ninth grade, students track their community service hours. Those who accumulate 200 hours or more in high school are recognized during graduation. Students may also participate in various mission trips – both domestic and international.

So on this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, what will you do? Join us this year in celebrating a man who dedicated his life in service to others. Think about giving of your time and resources to one of the many local charities in the Charlotte, N.C., area. Donate to a food pantry, work alongside builders at Habitat for Humanity, visit the sick and shut-ins. Find a ministry you believe in and give a little bit of yourself.

At Northside Christian Academy, we can think of no better way to honor the life and legacy of a man who believed that we are each responsible to impact the world around us for good.

Learn more about our philosophy of service at Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte, N.C.

If you’d like to learn more about Northside Christian Academy’s community service projects or mission trips, or if you’d just like more information about our school, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Dean of Students Corey Thompson at 704-596-4074. Or request more information about Northside Christian Academy here.