IMPACT Program
What is IMPACT?
IMPACT is a week-long leading, learning, and serving opportunity for all of our high school students outside of our classroom walls during the week before Spring Break. Everything we do at Cornerstone Prep is done to help fulfill the Great Commission, and IMPACT furthers this goal by encouraging students to live out the gospel in their community here and elsewhere.
What kinds of opportunities are available during IMPACT week?
IMPACT teams are both academic- and mission-related as students make real life connections between their faith and classroom learning. Team opportunities change each year to provide our students with a variety of different experiences from which to choose during their high school career. Some teams stay in the local area, while others travel regionally, nationally, and globally. Typically, there are 12-15 teams from which students can choose each year.
How are teams selected?
IMPACT teams are led by at least two Cornerstone staff members and typically consist of 10-12 students per team. Each student will have a chance to sign up for the team of his or her choice at the beginning of the school year. Not every student will receive his or her first choice because team size is limited. For those teams that are extremely popular and fill up quickly, we will try to offer the teams again the following year. At that point, students who have already been on that team will not be able to register and take the spots first. If the spots do not fill, then students who have already been on that team will be able to participate in that trip again.
How do teams prepare for IMPACT week?
Teams meet six times prior to IMPACT week to prepare for their mission, develop leadership skills, and bond as a team. During these meetings, students are taught and encouraged to engage and impact the world for Jesus.
Are there graded assignments?
Written reflections are due at the end of IMPACT week, providing an additional opportunity for students to cultivate and improve their communication skills, enhance their college resumes, and allow the week to impact their lives. These reflections, as well as required blog assignments throughout the year, are graded and included as part of the student's English grade.
In Their Own Words...
"I’ve learned of God’s glory. I’ve seen what He’s made through the plants' beauty, intricate details, characteristics, and roles they all play in the environment. This has helped me appreciate all that I have and what He has made. I can’t wait to see where my new friendships will lead me and what God will bring to my life through this trip."
"Just knowing that the work we had spent hours on was already noticed by one person was an incredible feeling. It showed just to be thankful about everything no matter how small because some of the veterans there have had rough mental issues and a rough life in general. It was such a little thing but God showed me how much our actions really matter to the people around us."
"I have learned that even though we humans have different cultures, we are all made for and by God. Each person is a treasure and their history, all of it, precious to Him. I look forward to experiencing different cultures and expanding my horizons. I hope to travel much to different places and countries to learn more about God’s world."
"Over IMPACT week, God spoke to me through the selfless actions of other people and taught me the importance of prioritizing quiet time with God. Seeing people dedicate their time to running foster closets and the pregnancy center made me realize the need people in those situations have. Our actions have a huge impact on those around us and even something as simple as folding clothes or cleaning can completely change someone's day."
"On Monday of IMPACT, we helped work on the playground at the church we were attending. It was awesome to see the transformation from falling apart to looking new, with added seesaws and swings. It is also good because it is something we can leave behind as a legacy even though we are no longer there."
Examples of Past Team Experiences:
International Drive (local)
Students learned about different countries through unique and hands-on experiences and by exploring art, music, architecture, and cuisine around the Atlanta area. For their service project with Children's Haven, they painted and distributed tote bags to children in the foster care system and also helped with cleaning and organization tasks.
Big Bend (national)
Students and leaders served and explored God’s creation in far west Texas at Big Bend National Park. The team volunteered with the Terlingua Family Crisis Center to make an impact in the lives of those who visit the food bank and thrift store. They also spent time hiking some amazing trails in the National Park. Students were responsible for various leadership roles within the team, such as meal planning, budgeting, food preparation, morning prayer and devotions, and basic trail first aid.
Ecuador for Jesus (global)
The team spent time with students and did a service project at JESSS International Christian Academy in Quito. They also spent time with patients in a cerebral palsy care center to help with various forms of therapy; distributed Christmas shoeboxes and shared the gospel with children in a poor community; and, visited Shell, the base for Missionary Aviation Fellowship, and helped repair the Nate Saint house.