Arizona education is one of the first to benefit from "Project 4 in 24" — a three-part plan to raise $4 million in 24 months to provide for land acquisition, church and educational facilities expansion/endowment, and evangelistic outreach, made necessary by the huge membership growth in the conference.

Every school and church in the Arizona Conference is eligible to receive resources for facility, equipment, literature and other improvements. Teachers and pastors were given a "Projected Needs/Wants" form which they submitted to the committee.

In addition, the plan calls for providing seed money for a long-term educational endowment fund for students attending Arizona Conference schools.

At a recent Arizona Conference executive committee meeting, it was voted to begin the distribution of these funds to some of the schools and churches. More than $50,000 was allocated for specific church and school projects. As more money comes in, more of the educational and church needs throughout the conference will be met.

The first six educational recipients are:

Adobe Adventist Christian School, Apache Junction/Mesa – $1,950 – to purchase a school sign to enhance curb appeal and create community awareness for the school.

Glenview Adventist Academy, Glendale – $1,000 – to purchase the fifth octave of bells for the "Morning Star Ringers," a hand bell choir, under the direction of secondary teacher, John Ward.

Prescott Adventist Christian School, Prescott – $1,500 – to purchase additional playground equipment.

Safford Adventist Christian School, Safford – $3,500 – to purchase a playground platform and slide for the school.

Thunderbird Christian Elementary School, Scottsdale – $2,000 – for electrical wiring and lights for the flagpole and sign to enhance curb appeal and create community awareness.

West Valley Adventist School, Litchfield – $1,000 – to enhance their music and art curriculum.

Arizona Conference President Duane McKey presented the first check to students of the Thunderbird Christian Elementary School. "I hope our constituents will catch the vision of what '4 in 24' will do for our conference," says McKey. "Growth in Arizona is expected to increase at a tremendous rate over the next few years. We need to be ready for the influx of new members and students by providing land for churches, schools and evangelistic programs. When we all pull together in giving — and prayer — this can truly be the Arizona family miracle we've all prayed for. Meeting the needs of our schools, and sometimes providing for the ‘extras' like playground equipment and school signs, will bring much joy to our Arizona classrooms, students and teachers."

To learn more about and to become involved in "Project 4 in 24," visit www.azconference.org.