Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Christian brothers and sisters, we need more true and close-knit communities of faith in this day and age. It seems to me that there has never been a more important time in the history of Adventist Education and that there never been more need for Adventist Education than now. In 1853, when Martha Byington opened the first known church school for Adventists children in Buck's Bridge, New York, her mission was to infuse the Bible as the core identity of the curriculum, school rules and structures, and practical ideologies. She didn’t know what would come but she knew that she would do her best to help raise her community’s children to serve the Lord.
One of the main questions that people ask is, “Why Adventist Education?” This question comes in many forms. What programs do you have compared to public school? What sports programs do you offer? What curriculum do you cover? Now all these questions are valid, and I always give specific answers to them, but they do miss the point a little when it comes to Adventist Education specifically.
Adventist Education is meant to help assist and support families in preparation of children for a soon coming Savior. In times like these, we will face trials and tribulations. Our families and our children are going to need support from parents, their church community, their school community, and a group of true Christian friends to maintain faith, grow in Jesus, and overcome the obstacles that have been set in front of them.
You see, whether we are willing to see it or not, politics, culture, and media are at war with who we are as Christians. It wants to eat away at our children’s God-given identity, encourage them into sexual immorality, expose them to evil thoughts and deeds, and most poignantly normalize sin. The sinful world wants to force an identity on our children that doesn’t allow them to see their great value and who they are in Jesus.
Now Adventist schools are not perfect. They are still full of sinners and broken people, but the difference is that Adventist schools are always attempting to point back to Jesus. When we are together as a community of believers we are blessed because of the support and love we can give to each other, our families and most importantly our children. “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). My prayer for you is that wherever you go, you are truly led to communities of faith that lead your whole family to a deep, meaningful, personal connection with Jesus Christ and that you support those Christian brothers and sisters around you. Selah.
Justin Groff
Principal
Scenic Hills Christian Academy
scenichillsschool@gmail.com
(210) 523 2312
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2:Peter 3:9