North Hills Christian School (NHCS) announces that more than $1.6 million has been raised in support of the school’s Imagine. Invest. IMPACT Capital Campaign goal of $1.675 million. A legacy gift received from the David Boyd Davis Charitable Trust has made it possible for North Hills to begin construction on Phase I of the school’s overall Master Building Plan.
Phase I includes new construction, expansion and improvements to the interior and exterior of the existing buildings and campus. The late David Boyd Davis and his wife Ruth, along with two other families, founded NHCS in 1967. The total raised to date also includes a significant gift received from the Joseph F. Jones estate, an endowment, which was set up as a long-term investment to fund student financial assistance.
Kyle Mitchell, chairman of the school’s board of directors, expressed his gratitude for God’s provision for North Hills Christian School and for the individuals and families who have worked over the past 46 years to sustain and secure the future for the school. “The gift from the David Boyd Davis Charitable Trust will help us continue the vision that Mr. Davis and the school’s founders had for the North Hills,” Mitchell said. “The significance and impact of the gift will be felt for generations to come.”
Mitchell also thanked Maria Lowder, the capital campaign chair, for her dedication and leadership. Lowder is a North Hills parent and board member. She and her husband Chad have two girls enrolled at the school.
“We are thankful for the support that we have received and we are excited about the plans for the future,” Lowder said. “I am passionate about our school. Our experience has truly been a blessing for my family, and I would like to see others consider North Hills. The academic program is challenging and the environment is nurturing and centered on God’s love and grace. Students are taught to think about the world, whether it’s science or history, from a Christian point of view and learn how to apply what they have learned. The new building will help us reflect the great things that are taking place within our school and help us convey that North Hills is a school of excellence.”
Phase I includes a large brick entry tower with white columns at the school’s main entrance to enhance curb appeal. An addition of more than 6,000 square feet will provide more instructional space, including a new K-12 science lab, a new K-12 visual arts studio and more.
Lowder expressed her thanks to Dave Jordan of Salisbury, nephew of the late David Boyd Davis and Ruth Davis and trustee of the David Boyd Davis Charitable Trust. “Dave graciously gave of his time to serve on our capital campaign committee,” Lowder said. “His insight, expertise and involvement played a major role in keeping us motivated and on track.”
Jordan said his uncle had a strong desire to see the school stay true to the mission and vision of the school, “to equip hearts and minds of students to impact the world for Christ.” Jordan added that he recently had the opportunity to hear some of students in the high school share their thoughts about North Hills and the positive impact the school has had upon their lives. “Uncle Dave would be pleased to see that the mission that was established by the founders is the same mission that guides the school’s leadership today.”
Lowder also acknowledged another member of the committee, the Rev. Bill Adams. “Bill gave many hours of his time to support and help lead this effort,” she said. “His presence at our planning meetings as a godly man who truly loves North Hills Christian School was extremely important.” Adams has been involved in the history of the school and its progress since 1974. He became reacquainted two years ago when he joined the school’s board of directors. The board recently named him Board Member Emeritus to honor his dedication and his years of service. Lowder said, “Mr. Adams contributed to this campaign in many ways. He offered godly counsel and words of encouragement, and he often reminded us to trust in God’s faithfulness and promises.”
Adams said he has been blessed to have witnessed the investment that individuals have made to sustain North Hills Christian School over the years.
“I look forward to the fruit of new investments in the proposed building that I envision in the very near future,” Adams said. “I appreciate the parents and grandparents who have made an investment in the lives of children to provide Christian education, and I get excited to see so many of our former students re-invest as they enroll their children in the school.”
“Investments are typically made for results, and I am glad that I can look back over nearly four decades and see great results from the investments of so many,” Adams continued. “By God’s grace, the school and its ministry will continue to pay great dividends for God’s glory.”
Interim Head of School Leslie Pullen said, “I would like to thank the school’s board of directors, campaign chair Maria Lowder, and all of the people who continue to work behind the scenes to serve our school. They sacrifice and give many hours of their time to support the needs of North Hills with their God-given talents.”
“It has been encouraging to see individuals and business owners in the community who believe in our mission pledge their support for the project,” Lowder said. “Many of them have come forward because they have seen the impact that North Hills has had upon the lives of young people,” she said. “We frequently hear the same message from our former students ─ they feel that North Hills prepared them both academically and spiritually and helped them establish a firm foundation for life.”
Lowder continued: “We invite others in the community to support this project. Our new programs and campaign to improve our facilities is an asset for our community. This year we added more classical curriculum and we announced the addition of a new Honors Academy at North Hills Christian for academically gifted high school students.
“We have made great progress toward reaching our campaign goal of $1.675 million and we are actively working on finalizing plans to begin Phase I,” Lowder said. “I am thankful for God’s blessing and for the many individuals over the years who have invested their time and resources. God has given us this opportunity to participate in the great things that He is doing at North Hills Christian School. Now it’s our turn to give back.”
For more information, contact Jeannie Ogg at North Hills Christian School at 704-636-3005, ext. 130 or email her at jogg@northhillschristian.com