Personal MinistriesDOC
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In the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one, for in education, as in redemption, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Education p30.rnrnAs the Adventist Church’s largest and longest running evangelistic campaign, Adventist education has clearly demonstrated in over 30 years of research that students will be 2 to 5 times more likely, not only join the church through baptism but to remain in the church, pay tithe and support the mission of the church as lifelong disciple makers.rnrnSchools are innately evangelistic. In one school, senior students chose to meet with the local church pastor who was serving as school chaplain for Bible studies in preparation for baptism. As they returned to class after the studies they were busy sharing with their non-Adventist teacher what they were excited about learning. As the time drew near for the baptism the teacher stepped forward to also be baptised with the students. Our children, as growing disciples, were discipling.rnrnIt is exciting that in our territories governments have taken up a significant part of the cost of educational evangelisation. This has released significant local churches funds for other mission. Sadly, we are missing incredible opportunities for greater evangelisation through our schools. Nearly 50% of our students are from non-Adventist homes. Their parents are already warm, embracing the work of the Adventist Church because of the positive view they have of the high quality, value-centred learning their children experience. Making friendship connections with these families and inviting them to be involved with the local church programmes and initiatives, such as ‘Road to Bethlehem’ and ‘Open Home’, have immense potential for further disciple making. Over the last two to three years at least three families in New Zealand have begun to attend the Adventist church, and then, been baptised because of the church-school connection. This was the simple result of someone who bothered to take an interest in them and invited them to engage with the Church.rnrnAdventist Schools play an important part in our discipling ministry. They are your partners in ministry.
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