The Transforming Power Of Education
Education Ministry: The main objective of Adventist education is to develop in students a Christian character as they embrace biblical values and learn to make principled choices. Church entities operate schools from kindergarten through university levels for the purpose of transmitting to students the Church’s ideals, beliefs, attitudes, values, habits, and customs. The source, the means, and the aim of Adventist education are a true knowledge of God, fellowship and companionship with Him in study and service, and likeness to Him in character development.
Adventist Education has come a long way since 1853 when Martha Byington opened the first known church school for Sabbatarian Adventists in Buck's Bridge, New York. Today you'll find Adventist schools in nearly 150 countries. 85,000 teachers, 1.5 million students, 7,500 schools—the Adventist school system is one of the largest Christian educational systems in the world.
Mission: To enable learners to develop a life of faith in God, and to use their knowledge, skills, and understandings to serve God and humanity.
Vision: For every learner to excel in faith, learning, and service, blending biblical truth and academic achievement to honor God and bless others.
The Approach and Philosophy of Adventist Education
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God as the ultimate source of existence, truth, and power. In the beginning God created in His image a perfect humanity, a perfection later marred by sin. Education in its broadest sense is a means of returning human beings to their original relationship with God. The distinctive characteristics of this Adventist worldview, built around creation, the fall, redemption, and re-creation, are derived from the Bible and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White.
The aim of true education is to restore human beings into the image of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ. Only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit can this be accomplished. An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person—spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional—a process that spans a lifetime. Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies to prepare learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity.
The video below speaks more about Adventist Education and is courtesy of AHS Mission and Ministry Department.
Coming Soon:
The Pisgah Education Newsletter
