When you ask an Adventist educator who loves her ministry and has been 100 percent Adventist-educated herself to write an article addressing the reasons for Adventist education, be prepared for extremely strong biases. I’m not reserved or ashamed to talk about the reasons for Adventist education. With gusto, I will go boldly forward to address the benefits of the ministry of education that the Adventist church continues to maintain and support.*

The Foundation for Our Movement

A thriving network of Adventist education could be the “full quiver” David talks about in Psalm 127:5. God chose young people (teenagers and early “20-somethings”) to begin the Adventist movement, and today our investment in educational ministry from pre-school to university supports a young and vibrant people preparing for Jesus’ return. Without this foundation, the Adventist movement would cease a forward momentum. If building a community of faith matters, then we must continue to offer excellent educational options for our children and youth.

“During my early high school years, I saw a lot of fake Adventists, but going away to boarding school has helped me get real with my relationship with God,” says Jeremiah Morgan, a senior at Rio Lindo Academy. “Now I want to continue my Adventist education as I go onto college.”

The Value-genesis study demonstrates the strength of life-long commitment to the church when students are Adventist-educated. Getting through the tough teen years surrounded by Adventist education lays a foundation for further positive experiences with higher Adventist education and the church.

A Mission to the World

“Coming to an Adventist high school has helped me a lot in my spiritual life,” explains Latoya Senior, a first year student in Adventist education and a freshman at Rio. “This environment has helped me to decide that I want to give my life to Jesus. I’m looking forward to being baptized before the end of the school year.” Latoya and her mom are new to Adventism. If Latoya had attended public school, she probably would not be making this decision for Jesus right now.

Tashi Paljar, a Tibetan student from Nepal, adds, “Now that I’ve become familiar with Adventist lifestyle and thinking, I want to go onto an Adventist college. I like the teachings of Adventism. I even start singing the songs we sing in church during the week.”

God is touching young people in our schools. He is meeting them and becoming real to them. If having a vision for mission in Adventist education matters, then we must keep our schools open to the kids from our neighborhoods and the world.

A Place of Connection

Another student, Alexandra (pseudonym), who comes from a difficult un-churched home situation says, “Coming to Rio is good because I get a good education. Teachers care and take pride in their classes. It’s a major thing in my life to have caring teachers. For teenagers, I think this is a great place to be.”

Becky Crawford, a senior adds, “I chose Adventist schooling myself. I like the closeness I feel with my classmates and the faculty, too. I also think I am getting a better education than at a public school.”

“My parents saw the value of Adventist education,” recalls Star Piner, a Rio alumnus. “They sacrificed for me to be in church school from third grade through college. During my formative years when I was timid and shy, the Adventist educational environment helped me grow in confidence. My experience with Adventist education gave me a firm foundation that beneficially prepared me for public university enrollment. As an adult, I deeply appreciate the foundation that Adventist education has given me.”

The ministry of Adventist education is more than text books and test scores. It demands attention to the whole student. If having a community of connected, caring believers matters, then we must be caring, responsible teachers.

More Options than Before

Today, Adventist schools have more options and resources than ever before. In the Pacific Union, there are 147 K-12 schools, five boarding academies and three colleges/universities. Know your options. Visit many schools. Discover their unique strengths. Invest in the future of your church. Financially support a student. Pray for educators. Be a volunteer. Make a difference.

Sometimes finances are put up as a barrier to Adventist education. It would be wrong to encourage Adventist education and then deny a student access due to financial need. When parents and students demonstrate a willingness to do all they can, local churches and conferences almost always find the financial assistance necessary. Some of the boarding schools have scholarships for low-income families that make attending boarding school more affordable than a day school. Others have work programs that augment the tuition fees. Colleges are also willing to work with students to create a financial package that works for them.

I realize that in many ways, I have been preaching to the choir. So share these ideas with a friend who may not know how great Adventist education is. Encourage someone who needs more information to get in touch with the Adventist educational options that are available to them. Remember, if having a church with a young foundation matters, if being mission-minded matters, if having caring and connected relationships matters, then it is important to help our youth have the blessing of Adventist education.

* While the students quoted are all from Rio Lindo Academy, I trust it represents any of our Adventist schools in the Pacific Union.