Use your god-given Talents and Professional skills to make an impact for the gospel

“I love being able to help people physically and spiritually. Here at Faith Academy, I have my dream job: being able to do what I love and use my skills in a Christian environment with High Schoolers. I desire to portray to the students that whatever we do we can use our skills, talents, and gifts for Christ.

Because of the nature of what I do, working with the students when they are injured and in pain, I am able to form relationships with them by encouraging them when they really need it. This helps to form trust with the students, allowing a deeper relationship develop. We go from fun conversations filled with jokes, to conversations about relationships with the Lord. My goal is to be a Christ-like influence for the students here at Faith Academy.

During an overseas soccer tournament a few years ago, one of our players fractured both bones in his ankle. He flew back from Thailand to the Philippines and then flew home to Korea. His injuries required surgery and he needed to stay in Korea for a few weeks before returning to school. We ended up spending a lot of time together that semester, as he needed physical therapy with me four days a week. It was a very challenging time for him, both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I remember that he thought his injury would mean an inability to play soccer his senior year or in later in university. He learned a lot about working hard, trusting God, and what really matters in life. In the end, he was able to play his senior year and he currently plays at Cornerstone University in the USA. The most rewarding moment was during the last game of his senior year. After scoring the first goal of the game he sprinted to me on the sideline, jumped in my arms and gave me a huge hug, saying, ‘that was for you Mr. Keating’. That was a moment that makes all of the hard work with it – I will never forget it.”

“My full name is Hasinirina Boulter, but most of you know me as Coach Hasina. I serve in the Aquatic Department and this school year, I have begun teaching Elementary PE. It is with joy that I serve our Lord and you here!

I was born in Madagascar, where I lived until I was 19 years old. Most people only know Madagascar from the movie! While we do have cool wildlife – the only natural habitat of lemurs, the world’s smallest chameleon, and the baobob tree – it’s also the fourth largest island in the world – a very dry island in the Indian Ocean settled by Malay and African people – which is why I am frequently mistaken for a Filipina! Then I moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, and so many new things. A new language, a new climate (deserts, wetlands, grasslands, bush, subtropical forests, mountains and escarpments!), food, and friends!

By simple definition, I don’t fit into the ‘Third Culture Kid’ category. But have you considered the actual definition of a TCK? This is what I found: ‘A TCK is an individual who has spent a significant portion of his/her formative years in a culture that is different from their parents. Someone who builds relationships to all cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.’

I can relate to the information above, and that helps me relate to students and adults here! Juggling the number of cultures that I have been privileged to experience can be challenging at times, however it enriches my life. I am glad and honored to be part of Faith Academy family and community as we experience and find joy in these different cultures together.”

“Music is part of my DNA, having come from a musically inclined clan. As early as 18 months old, I was singing songs with the right words and tune, and as I grew up, music became the language of my heart.

When I was 15 years old, The Lord called me to use my gift of singing to be part of our church’s praise and worship ministry. I may have loved music and singing, but I did not like doing it in front of a crowd. I was very shy and nervous, and did not think I was good enough to be singing in front of hundreds of people. I struggled and argued with God at first, unsure if this was what He really wanted me to do. He confirmed… many times, so I trusted Him and obeyed. I learned that if I am willing and obedient to His call, God will use me to accomplish things beyond my capacity and what I can ever think or imagine. With my obedience, the Lord opened many opportunities to serve Him through music.

For the past 10 years, I have been part of a Christian group called Gloryfall Band, a team dedicated to bringing true worship back to the body of Christ through worship training and leading, and evangelistic outreaches. We help churches in equipping worship teams through instrument/vocal training and teaching them the Biblical principles of worship. We have written and released 10 albums, and through these songs we are able to reach people around the world with God’s message and love. If you would like to hear or download our songs for free, our website is gloryfall.net.

Faith Academy has always been a place close to my heart. I first visited Faith in 2000, when my then boyfriend (now husband), showed me around the school where he graduated. I could not believe there was a school so beautiful, where the grounds were vast and well maintained, with classrooms that displayed so much creativity and talent. The children walking around the campus and the teachers I met were friendly, well-mannered and showed such joy to be in a place where Christ is being taught. I thought Faith Academy would be a wonderful place to be called to serve! Little did I know that 18 years later, God would open the door for me to be part of this wonderful organization.

This school year, I started teaching Elementary Music at Faith Academy. I get so much joy and excitement to see children’s faces light up when I tell them we are playing with musical instruments in class or we are going to learn a new song. It is also an honor to teach the students not only the technical aspect of music, but to be able to share with them the heart of worship. It is a blessing to share with the children how God can use music powerfully in their lives just like He did in the Bible through the lives of David, King Jehoshaphat and many others who won battles through music offered in praise and worship to God!”

“We moved to the Philippines to begin teaching at Faith and we have been blown away by the Faith community’s hospitality, generosity, and love. God has graciously been allowing us to feel at “home” at Faith as we experience the unity and diversity within the Body of Christ through this amazing group of people. It has been worth following God in faith because we have the privilege of participating in the Great Commission by teaching and building into the children of missionaries. If others feel that the Holy Spirit is prompting them to invest in Faith Academy, they would be able to participate in this beautiful partnership of furthering the gospel in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and beyond.”

Grady teaches Grade 10 Social Studies and Grade 12 Bible. He spent his childhood years in Japan, Philippines, and Canada. Whereas his wife, Brittany, teaches French 1 and Bible 11. Brittany spent her childhood years in Canada.