How did Moses, Daniel, Joseph and Esther make a difference that impacted all of history? They remained faithful and true to the principles and values they had been taught in their formative years. They lived lives rich in character, including service for others, and they brought honor and glory to God.

Teachers and administrators at Loma Linda Academy have become more intentional about the spiritual direction and development of their students. Research shows that students retain five percent of what they hear, 10 percent of what they read, 30 percent of what is demonstrated, and 75 percent of what they practice by doing. Consequently, Loma Linda Academy staff members have begun to integrate service learning into the school program as a means to reach students spiritually.

Service learning is project based. This method of teaching is integrated into each classroom according to the style and personality of each teacher and according to the curriculum at each grade level. It connects the classroom with the real world through service while meeting academic goals. Through service learning, students live their religion and actually experience it.

Unlike community service, service learning is a combination of service and learning through a specific process. Students, with the direction of their teacher, pick and create a service project that addresses specific needs in the community. Students then create an action plan to meet that need and complete it. Reflection, the most important step in the process, enables students to critically think about their service experience and apply it to their own lives.

Many service learning projects blossomed at LLA this year. Lauren Edwards, third-grade teacher, facilitated while her students planned and implemented a play for first graders, teaching them the true meaning of Christmas.

Eleven elementary classrooms joined forces to raise $6,000 in less than three months to buy a boat for an Adventist mission school in Paata, Micronesia. Allyson Hubbard's sixth grade class collected quarters from students to buy books for children at Loma Linda Children's Hospital.

Jessica Williams' high school Christian Mission class planned and is implementing educational activities to help fifth-graders with issues on friendship, media influences and responsibility.

Through the vehicle of service learning, Loma Linda Academy is being more intentional about the spiritual development of its students so that they have the chance to be the Moseses, Josephs, Daniels and Esthers of today.