Canopy Life Academy recently reached a milestone that was years in the making—our 10-year anniversary and the graduation of our first high school class. What started as a dream has become a reality, shaping young leaders who are stepping into the world with confidence, purpose, and a heart for transformation. As we reflect on this journey, we celebrate the impact of the past decade and look ahead to the next season of growth, innovation, and faith.
No one has walked this journey more closely than our founder and executive director, Christi Gordy. From the earliest days of Canopy Life to this unforgettable graduation celebration, she has seen firsthand how God has been at work. Today, she shares her reflections on the past ten years, the unseen moments that shaped this milestone, and the exciting road ahead.
A message from Christi:
Ten years ago, we opened the doors of Canopy Life Academy with a dream—to see students grow into who God created them to be, to cultivate innovation, leadership, and spiritual depth in young lives, and to create an environment where transformation wasn’t just possible but inevitable.
This past weekend, we reached a milestone that felt both surreal and deeply personal. We celebrated our 10-year anniversary and the graduation of our first high school class.
The celebration was everything we could have hoped for. It was full of joy, color, and the unmistakable energy of an African gathering. Over 200 people came to campus, including students, parents, staff, and community members, to witness this moment. As is typical in Kenyan culture, it was a long, vibrant event with nearly a dozen speakers. The day was full of dancing, spoken word performances, and heartfelt reflections.
A Moment That Stood Still
Throughout the day, there were moments that made me pause and take it all in. One of them was when a graduate shared that, as a child, they would sleep in the hallway with their towel and pillow just to be the first to see my car when I arrived. I had no idea my presence meant that much to them.
It reminded me that as much as we can measure impact—the students we serve, the programs we create—there is a whole world of unseen impact that we may never fully grasp. The small, daily acts of showing up, investing in people, and trusting God’s timing matter more than we know.
Another moment that stood out was when a father spoke about how Canopy Life has transformed not only his child but his entire family. He shared how he has never heard of a school that invests in parents the way we do. Because of this, he has become a better father.
These stories are what make the journey worth it.
The Journey Hasn’t Been Easy
I won’t sugarcoat it—these 10 years have been hard. Harder than I ever imagined. There were moments when I questioned whether we were making a difference. In these moments, the weight of leadership felt too heavy, when the waiting felt endless.
But as I sat there, hearing these stories, I was reminded of a memory from our early days…
God gave me the burden to start Canopy Life in 2006, but it took almost nine years to open our doors. And these students, the ones sitting in that room, were born in 2006. All that waiting, all the struggles, all the wondering—God saw the bigger picture. He wasn’t just preparing the school. He was preparing them.
God’s timing has always been bigger than ours.
Looking to the Future
This moment isn’t just about celebrating the past; it’s about looking ahead. Our graduates are stepping into adulthood, full of possibility and purpose. And in the same way, Canopy Life is stepping into a new season—one of growth, deeper impact, and greater vision.
Ten years from now, I dream of seeing dozens more graduates who are leading, creating, and transforming their communities. I dream of parents who feel empowered, children who are thriving, and a school that continues to cultivate both hearts and minds.
We can’t do this alone.
A Word of Encouragement to our Graduates and Community (shared at our 10-year anniversary celebration)
During the celebration, I had the chance to share a few words of advice—drawn from the lives of people in the Bible. I shared with them these truths about stepping into the next season of life with courage and faith. And I thought I would share this with you…
Today, we celebrate a milestone—both for you, our graduates, and for this organization. Ten years ago, this was just an idea. We had a vision of what could be, but we had no guarantees, no idea of what would come of it.
Just like you now stand on the edge of something new, we once stood at the very beginning, uncertain of what was ahead. And yet, here we are. God has been faithful. He has built something beautiful—something bigger than any of us could have imagined.
I still remember the early days—back when this whole mission was just a dream. I remember sitting in the living room of our first house in Membley, worshiping and praying with students. We were talking about prayer and waiting on the Lord. And as I sat there, I had a moment of realization that stopped me in my tracks.
God had put the burden for Canopy on my heart in 2006, but it took almost nine years for the doors to open. It was a LONG 9 years and I lost my patience so many times.
And then I looked around the room—at the very students sitting with us—and it hit me: they were born in 2006. The moment they were born was the moment God gave us the dream..
The whole time I was waiting, praying, and wondering why it was taking so long, God wasn’t delaying—He was preparing. He saw the bigger picture. He wasn’t just building a school; He was raising up the very students who would walk through its doors.
And now, here we are. Those same students who were just kids when this all began are standing on the edge of adulthood. And just like back then, we don’t know exactly what the future holds. But we do know this—God is still ahead of us. He is still writing the story.
Graduates, today marks a turning point in your journey. You are stepping into a new season—one full of possibilities, responsibilities, and unknowns. And in many ways, so are we. After ten years of growth, this organization is entering a new chapter. Just like you, we will face new challenges, new opportunities, and new moments that test our faith. But if the past ten years have taught us anything, it’s this: God has always been ahead of us, making a way. And He will do the same for you.
The men and women of the Bible knew what it was like to stand where you stand—to step forward into something uncertain, to take risks, to trust God with what’s next. If they were here today, I think they would have some words of wisdom for all of us, words much wiser than any that I could offer:
• Moses would remind us: “When the path ahead looks impossible, take the next step in faith—God will make a way.”
• Joseph would say: “Dream big, work hard, and don’t let setbacks define you—God can turn anything for good.”
• David would encourage us: “Courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about trusting God even when you’re afraid.”
• Esther would challenge us: “You were created for a purpose—step up when the moment calls for you.”
• Daniel would say: “Stay true to your values, even when the world pressures you to compromise.”
• Peter would remind us: “You’ll make mistakes, but failure isn’t the end—get up and keep going.”
• Paul would tell us: “Don’t chase comfort—chase a life that matters.”
• Mary, the mother of Jesus, would say: “Say yes to God, even when you don’t understand the whole plan.”
• Ruth would remind us: “Loyalty and love will take you farther than ambition ever will.”
• And Jesus—the One who has been faithful through it all—would simply say: “Whatever you do, love people well—that’s what really matters.”
Graduates, hold onto these words. Let them guide you when the road gets tough. Trust that your story is unfolding exactly as it should.
But this wisdom isn’t just for you—it’s for all of us. Just as you are stepping into something new, so is this organization. To our staff, our board and supporters, and our entire community—this milestone is not just about looking back at what we’ve built; it’s about stepping forward into what’s next.
Like Moses, we will face moments where the future feels uncertain, but we will trust God to make a way. Like Joseph, we will stay faithful to the dream, even when the journey takes unexpected turns. Like Esther, we will be ready when God calls us to rise up. Like Peter, we will make mistakes, but we will get back up and keep going.
The same God who brought us through the first ten years is leading us into the next. The best things we have done are not the end of the story—they are just the beginning. And just as we remind our graduates that they do not go forward alone, we remind each other of the same truth: we walk this path together, as a community, trusting that God is already ahead of us.
So wherever you find yourself in this story—as a graduate stepping into adulthood, a staff member leading the way, a parent championing your child or a supporter investing in the future—step boldly into what’s next. Trust that God has prepared you for this moment. And remember—just like Moses, Joseph, Esther, and all those who have gone before us—we are part of a bigger story. One that is just getting started.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
To those of you who have prayed, given, visited, and believed in this work—thank you. This milestone belongs to all of us. Because of you, lives are being changed, and the best is yet to come.
Here’s to the next ten years.
