Educate for Eternity

By Kisha R. Norris

The mission of Adventist education is to enable learners to develop a life of faith in God and to use their knowledge, skills and understanding to serve God and humanity. Each day within the Texas Conference, our educators contribute their time, talent and treasure to ensure that God is glorified and introduced to every student they encounter. This great work of educational evangelism calls us to prepare students in our 22 schools for this world and the world to come.

Over the past four years, the Office of Education has gone through several transitions. From the 20192020 school year, where the global pandemic changed the way we delivered education, to an introduction of a new assessment tool and new curriculum, to the implementation of mentorship programs and coaching instruments, the educational staff collaborated to advance the work of Adventist education within the Texas Conference.

Enrollment in our schools is strong. While the pandemic brought a drop in our overall enrollment, we have seen a steady increase and are now gaining on our pre-COVID-19 enrollment. We praise God for His blessings, as we want to reach as many children as possible with a Christ-centered education.

Over the past few years, Adventist education in Texas has developed key partnerships with other departments that serve our conference. Texas Adventist Community Services (ACS) has become more alive and relevant to our students as a result of team members visiting our schools, assisting with service projects during Bible Camp and directing disaster training for our Outdoor School students. Ministry & Evangelism covers the expenses of a Week of Prayer speaker for each school plus additional materials for Bible studies. Secretariat and Hispanic Ministries & Spanish Evangelism are key advisors to assist us in developing our spiritual master plan for the infusion of Christ in our schools. The saying “It takes a village” is our motto, and we proudly serve alongside our colleagues as we serve our constituents to fulfill our mission.

This noble work calls us to reach each student and see that they are saved in God’s kingdom. We are thankful for our teachers, who show the love of our Savior as they guide students in academic and spiritual lessons.

Ellen G. White writes, “True education means more than pursuing a certain course of study. It has to do with the whole person, and with the whole period of existence possible to human beings. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers,” True Education, p. 9.

We are forever grateful to those who support Adventist education—our schools, students, educators and staff.