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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement has identified 10 things to look for in an effective school

1. High expectations for students

1. Busy students focused on learning

1. A great principal who creates a structured, disciplined, and quality-oriented learning environment

1. Great teachers who have a belief system that all students can learn

1. A vibrant parent-teacher organization

1. Children who are neither invisible nor scared to be at school

1. Gut reactions by parents that this is the school where their child belongs

1. A rigorous curriculum

1. A place where families are welcome, treated courteously, and their concerns are acknowledged

1. An environment where parents are satisfied with the school’s results on standardized tests and school report cards

The Seventh-day Adventist K-12 system of education concurs with the U.S. Department of Education on the importance of each of these characteristics, but believes that even if all of these 10 characteristics are present in a school, the key element is missing—Jesus! Without Jesus as the center of any school program, the students are receiving an incomplete education. In one of her important works on education, Ellen White states that “education is a failure unless the student has grasped the truths of divine revelation, and the heart accepts the teachings of Jesus Christ”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 536 (paraphrased).

What a difference Jesus makes in our school system! We are thankful for our dedicated teachers who look at education, not as a job but as a calling. We are thankful that our teachers pray daily for the Holy Spirit to transform students’ hearts and that Jesus Christ helps our students deal with daily challenges.

More than 25,000 students worldwide, who were part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system in 2012, gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. Students are daily taught Christian standards of living identified in Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and from the book Education, p. 18, “Godliness—godlikeness—is the goal to be reached.”

Praise God for Seventh-day Adventist Christian education!

David A. Cadavero is the Greater New York Conference superintendent of schools.

The Apostle Paul, one of Scripture’s most ardent evangelists, described himself as a fearless ambassador in chains (Ephesians 6:18-20). In order to speak fearlessly, he asked for prayer (v. 19), so he could make known the mystery of the gospel. As we struggle against the spiritual forces of evil, prayer is the all important experience that makes the whole armor of God effective. Prayer is indispensable for sharing the gospel.

Another indispensable ally in the work of witnessing to the lost is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:4, 5 (NIV) declares: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” The Holy Spirit gives us boldness in sharing the message of Christ’s good news of the kingdom.

“After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses, to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with the truth. After the death of their Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company—as sheep without a shepherd; but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition”—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 66, 67.

This year, 2013, is the year of NY13—an evangelistic initiative for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of New York City. As we go out to share, remember, we are not merely to take the people to church but to take the church to the people. When the gospel is presented, people will repent and many will be baptized, as Mark 16:15 reminds us.

Finally, as we fearlessly witness and share the gospel, we must remember to leave the results to God. All three phases of evangelism—field preparation, sermon presentation, and soul conservation—must be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. At every stage, we leave the baptismal results to God. We can’t convert or save the lost. We can only present the Good News, and rely upon God to save sinners.

Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College, Inc., Board of Trustees.

Our hearts are torn because of the sad news of the explosions that occurred during the Boston Marathon. We pain for the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and the many who were severely hurt. Our hearts go out to all in this time of sorrow and we pray that the love of God will enfold all involved during their journey through grief.

Pastor Donald G. King
President, Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

He wishes his mother had stayed around longer and not filed for divorce, separating the family. He and his younger brother stayed with their father, while his older brother went with their mother. “I know things were not right between the two of them, but she could have waited until we were grown and gone to college to file for divorce.” As I listened to him talk, I could hear the pain coming through his words, and see it in his facial expression and his tears.

What is unbelievable about this is that this same young man is one of the most compassionate persons I have ever known. Now, a successful young adult, he opens the doors of his home anytime he sees someone in need, even if he does not know the person well. He donates money to charity regularly, goes on mission trips often, volunteers as a children’s basketball coach, and mentors youth in the church and the community. Yet he confessed with tears in his eyes that he hardly ever calls his mother. He has not visited her in more than a year, just because she opted out of a real bad and abusive marriage when he and his brothers were kids.

As we continued to talk, the conversation led him to realize something—everyone has an Achilles heel. Each of us has issues in our lives that we are not proud of, yet God is compassionate with us and is always willing to forgive our sins. He loves us despite our shortcomings.

But there was one more thing, which the young adult had never thought about. For years he showed compassion for all types of people he met—people with addictions, marriage problems, young men with criminal records in prison, among others. Yet, he could not show compassion to his own mother. When I explained to him that through the years he was the heart, the hands, and the feet of Jesus to so many people with deep issues, scars, and problems, yet he had ignored his mother’s needs, pain, and hurt, he finally got it. He asked for advice. My advice to him was “compassion must begin in your family.”

How about you? Are you one of those who is compassionate in the streets and compassionless at home? How is your compassion for your own family, your father and mother, your brother and sister, and your older grandparents? When was the last time you placed that call? Have you visited lately? Do you ever bring a gift or a little money to your relative in need? Do you know how much an “I love you” and a hug from you would mean to that little old lady, or to that man who made mistakes, but still longs to hold you again?

In the name of Jesus, the One who created compassion in the first place, I encourage you to make that call. Don’t hesitate. Go for the visit. And, please don’t forget the “I love you.” Oh, and make sure the hug is a tight one. Don’t just do it once; do it often. Compassion adds life to our loved ones and it also adds life to you.

Next time you are showing compassion out there in the streets, remember, compassion is good everywhere, but it must begin with your family!

José Cortés, Jr., is the director of Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union.

There are more than 350 working definitions of leadership. A simple definition is “leadership is influence,” by John Maxwell. There is also a more complex statement, “leadership is a process of giving purpose [meaningful direction] to collective effort, and causing willing effort to be expanded to achieve purpose,” by T. Owen Jacobs and Elliott Jaques. Yet, the fact remains that leadership at its best is in serving others.

Servant leadership is fostered at Bermuda Institute in a variety of ways. Helping those less fortunate is encouraged from kindergarten right through the grades. One important focus of the school for developing leaders is community service.

One such example is the Bermuda Institute Leaders Charity that was established in 2001. It was the brainchild of Frigga Simmons who, in her position as director of development, wanted to teach the students the importance of giving back to their community and the meaning of philanthropy. The association’s purpose is to teach young people about caring, sharing, and giving. This is achieved mainly through community involvement, environmental stewardship, and responsible citizenship.

A student has to be a leader in their own right before they can join the Leaders Charity. They can

be a member of the National Honor Society or the National Junior Honor Society. Students are also eligible if they are a class officer, a student association officer, or a prefect. Responsibilities of the members include raising funds to assist those in need, both in Bermuda and overseas, and they must also volunteer in the community.

Simmons, a proud sponsor, has mentored several of the leaders in this distinguished group of students. Some of their accomplishments include:

•           Providing toys to students in Bermuda and also to students overseas

•           Purchasing school supplies for school-aged students

•           Providing clothing for children at Christmas time

•           Painting, cleaning, and creating gardens at various locations around the island

•           In cooperation with a local organization, raising $200,000

The journey of leadership for each student leader must be an exploration into the world of service. Jesus has left the best example for students (and adults) to follow, that of servant leadership. The best leadership, the kind that Adventist education espouses, is leadership that serves the needs of others.

Sheila V. Holder is the superintendent of schools for the Bermuda Conference.

What is the first thing that comes to mind today when someone asks if you were ever “in the service”? Two things come to mind: “military service” and “serving others.” We are all in service in the army of God, no matter what our background. Our churches ought to be “service stations” for all people—places where we serve them, help them, check their spiritual oil, bring them to the fountain of life, light, hope, and introduce them to the King eternal.

NY13 is upon us. What are we doing to make it a success in bringing Christ to the people in this large city? Are our churches service stations in the community or just another edifice?

Peter gives a descriptive look at what it means to be the people of God. “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”—1 Peter 2:9, NKJV. This is a significant and encouraging affirmation of not only who we are but whose we are.

As we take part in NY13, let us exhibit those qualities to the people we meet. When we bring new believers into the church, let us not neglect them, rather lovingly nurture them. Help them to grow to full maturity. God has called each one of us to serve.

Service is an experience. God, who first loved us, took the first step in serving the lost and also a big risk in sending Jesus Christ to this world. We did not seek God; God sought us. God was the initial actor in the experience of service. We, as believers, should take the first step in helping and serving the people in our communities. Let us seize this golden opportunity during the NY13 meetings.

Service is an expression. We serve because we want to express our love to Him and our concern for the lost people of this big metropolitan city. Let us take advantage of the opportunity given to us to serve during these evangelistic meetings. This may be our last chance to serve.

Service is exercise. Here are two types of spiritual exercise: private exercise of prayer and Bible reading, and public exercise of Christian service. Bringing someone to hear the gospel during NY13 is a spiritual exercise.

Service is exaltation. To exalt means to lift up. Part of our service is lifting up Christ in our lives and in our community. If we exalt Christ as we should, we will have thousands of converts at the end of the NY13 evangelistic campaign.

Service is an extension. If you are a Christian, God will extend His hand of help down to you, and you, in turn, a helping hand to whom you are witnessing. God does not save us and then leave us to walk alone. Help someone to be saved through this tremendous opportunity God has given us with NY13.

Service is an expectation. Christians have something to live for; they are looking forward to something really wonderful. We are looking for and expecting a much better place than this world. We are heaven-bound people; so bring someone with you. Witness to someone during the NY13 evangelistic meeting and expect to see that person in heaven.

Let us seize the opportunity for service with commitment, courage, and joy, and let us all make 2013 a year to be remembered.

Leon Thomassian is the Atlantic Union Conference treasurer and trust services director.

“The students were great and the community was impressed by the way they carried themselves. They had a group of students from another school visit them last year and explained that the contrast between that group and our group was exponential,” said Gavin Gaynair, project leader.

The construction project was successful. Greater Boston Academy’s group of volunteers provided the finances and physical support to tile the church floors, build two bathrooms, install permanent windows and doors, and build a property wall.

This church in San Pedro de Macoris had about 13 members when GBA started this project back in 2010, under the direction of Edwin Silie, former GBA faculty member. Today the membership is about 100! The church is now the foundation of its community because it stands out among the broken down homes and dirt roads.

Members of the community are ready and have begun to make improvements so that the neighborhood  and property value will improve. “I was able to get a first-hand view of the results of our labors! Our last mission trip produced much fruit and with the completion of the church during this trip, those fruits will continue to multiply,” Gaynair said.

During this trip, the school group also conducted a series of evangelistic meeting, under the direction of GBA parent Pedro Mendez. Each night the students had more than 30 visitors and the meetings ended with three baptisms. Students also conducted a children’s program each night that allowed them to bond with the children and young people of the church.

The group solicits prayers for the mission work in the Dominican Republic and for the GBA students that they will carry the fire produced by their involvement in mission work throughout their lives.

Lisa Wheeler, advancement director, Greater Boston Academy

In that same year, the Northeast Evangelism Training School (NETS) was also born for the purpose of training soul-winners in three essential areas of evangelism—personal evangelism or Bible work, health evangelism, and public evangelism.

As such, NETS intends to create a steady stream of graduates who are recognized by churches, local conferences, and communities as capable individuals who can be relied on for bringing added value to wherever they serve for the Lord. Though housed on the campus of Atlantic Union College as an Atlantic Union Conference owned and operated program and supported by the North American Division and General Conference, NETS will begin its first in-depth training in New York City in March 2013 as part of the NY13 evangelistic initiative. (For more details, see page 4 of this issue of the Gleaner and/or the NETS Web site at www.netsatlanticunion.org.

But the real soul of NETS lie in its fundamental raison d’être (a French phrase meaning “reason for existence”). It comes out of the work of the early pioneers in the Atlantic Union Conference territory—the cradle of the Seventh-day Adventist Church beginnings.

Permit me to quote from the NETS’ charter document that was voted into existence on September 19, 2012 by the Atlantic Union Executive Committee: “On April 22, 1882, the first day of classes for what later became Atlantic Union College, Professor Goodloe Harper Bell explained the purpose of the school to the faculty and students this way, ‘The aim of this school will be to train Christian workers. The Bible will be its foundation . . .’ ” One hundred and thirty years later, in a newly constituted curriculum, the Atlantic Union Conference committee has the opportunity to go back to the future—to fulfill the dream of the school’s founders. AUC has the unique opportunity to blend a more formal accredited theological and health science/nursing program with a streamlined, non-accredited pastoral–lay training institute (i.e.NETS) and establish a reputation in the Adventist Church as the school in the Northeast that provides a Bible based, Christ-centered, medical missionary, evangelistic education.

The evangelistic endeavors conducted by faculty and students throughout the Northeast will foster the growth of local Adventist churches. Students flooding into churches in New England and New York from NETS will breathe new life into congregations. Pastors attending NETS short-term intensives will return to their congregations refreshed with a new vision. With a new workforce of lay people trained and equipped to witness for their Lord, the church in the Atlantic Union will grow rapidly. Souls will be won for the kingdom of God.

God’s prophetic messenger to the remnant gives us this assurance. “There is no change in the messages that God has sent in the past. The work in the cities is the essential work for this time. When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed”—Medical Ministry, p. 304. This promise of our Lord will be fulfilled before His return.

Multitudes in the great cities of New England and New York [and Bermuda] will be reached with the Three Angels Messages. The coming of our Lord will be hastened. The opportunity lies before us. The time is now to make a courageous decision to dream God’s dreams and do something significant for His cause. As Jesus said 2,000 years ago, it is time to launch out into the deep and cast out the nets!

In Luke 5:5, the Apostle Peter declared: “We toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.”

That time has come to let down our NETS for the Northeast. Let us pray for a rich and fruitful harvest of souls.

Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College, Inc., Board of Trustees.

QUOTE:

“We toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.” That time has come to let down our NETS for the Northeast.