What has become a cherished legacy of service at New Life Christian School is once again producing a whirlwind of activity and results, as a team of staff and students, led by longtime team leader Dr. Sarah Hutter, makes final preparations to write another chapter in this meaningful story. For over three decades, it has been our privilege to live out a portion of Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 25 by going to “the least of these.” Originally, we partnered with Youth With A Mission to serve among some of the neediest communities in Northeast Brazil. Through that experience, our eyes were opened to the great needs and challenges in our world, and our hearts were opened as we met and responded to each child by name. Circumstances have changed our destination, but our mission remains the same. Internationally, we are now working with the Basco School and Orphanage in Africa. Nationally, we continue our partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, responding to disasters here at home. A vital part of each mission trip is bringing new clothes and shoes for every staff member, student, and younger child. We also provide additional support by purchasing food locally and participating in much-needed infrastructure projects through both our labor and our financial support. We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to this ongoing effort. Just as important is the opportunity to encourage the staff and simply spend time with the children—tutoring them, playing with them, listening to them, and encouraging them. The remarkable outcome of each trip is that, after the inevitable tear-filled goodbyes, we find ourselves equally encouraged by renewed and new friendships, eager to return as soon as possible and write yet another chapter in this legacy of service. Part of that legacy is our pattern of earning the money to go, and we want to thank the local businesses that have extended themselves to support that effort. We also want to thank the community at large for your support through our many fundraisers. Now, as we are in final packing mode, trying to use every pound of allowed suitcase space as profitably as possible, we are eagerly anticipating next Monday, when we hope to depart from Washington Dulles Airport, travel through Accra, Ghana, and make our way to what has become our home away from home: the Basco School and Orphanage, deep in a rural setting. For the first-timers, even the ride to Basco is an adventure, but that quickly fades as we are reunited with more than 140 wildly excited children, immersed for the next three weeks in a sea of celebration.

The New Life Christian School 2025/26 girls’ basketball season was one of overcoming the challenges of youth and inexperience. Following last year’s most successful season in our history, which culminated in the Small School Division NCSAA Invitational Championship, everyone realized that this season would be an uphill struggle. Returning only one starter from that unprecedented 2024/25 team would necessitate our roster to be filled with young girls with mostly limited basketball experience. Fortunately, the one returning starter was veteran point-guard and high scorer, Marci Hutter. Without a cohesive, experienced cast of teammates around her, Marci’s resume was expanded to assume a more extensive role as leader, mentor, and encourager to her new teammates with inspiring results. This year’s team finished with an impressive record of 16-1, including wins over some perennial excellent teams. The culmination of the season was a highly contested, nail-biter championship game over the Rochester Rapids, 58-52, leading to the Greater Finger Lakes Christian Athletic Association Girls’ Playoff Championship, which also secured all-star team honors for Marci, and teammates, Naa Shormeh Hanson-Nortey and Lovelina Obeng. The teams’ hard work and perseverance paid off in a triumphant finish to the season.

New Life Christian School's girls basketball team capped off an incredible 18-2 season by winning the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) Division Three Championship. Their journey included victories over public, private, and home-school teams, as well as securing the Greater Finger Lakes Christian Athletic Association (GFLCAA) title. Marci Hutter earned both in-season and tournament MVP honors, leading the team through tough matchups. Their hard work and resilience paid off in a thrilling finish to the season. "I cannot express how proud I am of our girls! They are a force to be reckoned with!" said Aaron Childs, one of the teachers at New Life.  The boys also performed exceptionally well, finishing their season at 18-10 and capturing the IAC title! In addition, Nii Narku made it to the prestigious Big 30 and will be competing in it this weekend, adding another highlight to the school's outstanding athletic achievements. Congratulations to the team on their remarkable achievements!

Students, teachers, and alumni join forces to aid hurricane-ravaged communities, bringing hope and hands-on help to those in need

Students and staff of New Life are excited about the accomplishment of making and selling corn bags with which they raised all of the needed money for the BASCO children's home in Ghana, West Africa after a fire destroyed the kitchen roof, cooking equipment and utensils. Thankfully, there were no injuries. The Ghana team wanted very much to help in a tangible way. This is the children's home where our team spends time helping, teaching, and loving children during their "Ghana trips." Please pray for our friends at BASCO as they rebuild and thank God for His protection and His provision.

After a long journey filled with one-of-a-kind experiences and life changing relations, our Ghana team has made it back home at last. Undoubtedly, many of us had never felt such a bittersweet goodbye in our lifetime. Our arrival at BASCO was one of warmth and beautiful connection which was the foundation of 3 weeks of powerful cross cultural learning and pure delight. As we traveled the narrow dirt path that was called a road into the BASCO village on the outskirts of Suhum, some among our team feared our trotro was going to flip as the van had to traverse ditches and the floor of the van scraped violently along the road. However, somehow the driver managed to get us to our BASCO home. Upon arrival there were numerous beautiful faces, with bright eyes and smiles, to greet us. Some were familiar to our Principal and to one of our teachers who had been there before, but most were new faces. Joyful faces… faces waiting expectantly for someone to play with them, someone to chat with them, someone to have an interest in their daily life…. These were the faces of the ones we came to so dearly love--- these are our BASCO friends, our family! Within a short time of our arrival games were being played--- circles were made while the children taught us their favorite games. Even though we did not know the names of many of them, their laughter and joyful personalities barricaded the trivial barriers of language and any sense of shyness. Over the next few days, friendships, long talks about life experiences, dreams, and so much more were beginning to take place among some of the older students--- the development of these strong bonds are held dearly in our hearts and are cherished memories we will never loose. Nonetheless, New Life didn’t travel to Ghana only for the sake of friendship. It was time for us to give of ourselves and to help teach, to take our God given opportunity and form it into something to benefit our friends. Witnessing the gaps in education, not by choice but by circumstance, pulled at the hearts of our team. This fact alone inspired many of our students and teachers to fully put their hearts and strength into each school day so that the takeaway for the children would be enduring. Our mission was to exemplify a new kind of teaching: a kind of teaching where the immense hunger for knowledge would be satisfied: a kind of teaching were each child would be encouraged to pursue education to his or her fullest potential, to understand that individual actions can affect ones community in enormous ways, and that every person has been created with a purpose in God’s almighty image. We were so excited to see the students soaking up science!! They loved learning and we loved teaching! They loved math and we loved teaching! We had a blast and they did too! We were thankful for the teachers to allow us in the classroom and for the administration to allow us the opportunity to tutor and make learning fun and different for a few weeks. However, not all learning was in the classroom! As it happens, something so casual--- such as playing volleyball --- can be a learning tool! Sports is always a test of honesty and sportsmanship--- inclusion of the younger ones--- and he hope we were able to teach lessons on the court as well as in the classroom. Yet, when we traveled across the ocean we went with open minds knowing we were going to learn as much as we taught--- and we sure did! The BASCO and village kids weren’t the only one’s learning. Many of us on the team had never seen or been remotely close to a life such as this. From pumping water for bucket showers, long and intense sessions for worship and prayer, excited dancing, new food, harsh weather, bug bites and other frightening creatures, washing clothes by hand, to listening to languages we don’t understand, many valuable lessons were absorbed from these experiences. One big life lesson to be taken from this experience is that joy is not about what you have it is about your state of mind. Jesus says we should have joy and have it abundantly and those in BASCO have that joy although they do not have things. Do not chase the things--- chase the One who has and created all things. Keep it simple—He is the Joy!  We look forward to returning to BASCO in 2025--- God willing--- May God help us as we seek to raise the funds. All donations to help us man be sent to New Life Christian School P.O. Box 102 Olean, NY 14760.

Spreading Joy, Sharing Love: New Life Christian School's Mission in Ghana

Remembering the Legacy of Jonathan R. Alder: A Tribute to a Dedicated Educator and Visionary Leader

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we are filled with anticipation and hope for the opportunity to further our mission at NLCS. Giving Tuesday is more than just a day; it's a global movement that invites us to come together and make a meaningful impact. It encourages radical generosity, fostering a culture of philanthropy and altruism. It supports various causes globally, empowering nonprofits to drive positive change. This day unites diverse communities, transcending boundaries and promoting collective impact toward meaningful social causes. At NLCS, we are dedicated to providing quality private, Christian education. To continue our efforts and ensure that our mission thrives, we seek the support of our cherished community. We invite individuals who have connections with our school or are passionate about philanthropy to join us in this noble cause. Supporting NLCS can be as simple as sending a check or using the PayPal option on our website to make a donation. Your generosity will directly contribute to our ongoing efforts in providing exceptional education rooted in Christian values. If you're willing to lend your support through these calls or have any inquiries, please reach out to us. Together, let's make this Giving Tuesday a remarkable day of unity and generosity as we continue to nurture the future leaders of our community. Thank you for considering this opportunity to be a part of something truly impactful.