Emily Rowe and Ashlee Skinner worked together as a team in fire suppression training. Keeping a watchful eye were Heritage Academy Trainer Josh Haley, left, and Dave Baker, a volunteer fireman. (Photo: David Canther)

by Stephanie Johnson

Active Christians That Serve (ACTS) World Relief held hands-on seminars, August 26 and 27, at Forest Lake Academy (FLA) in Apopka, Fla., to train a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Training was conducted under the leadership of David Canther, ACTS director, and the CERT training team from Heritage Academy, Monterey, Tenn.

FLA Servant Leadership classes, consisting of 53 students and sponsors, received certification in disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, search and rescue, CERT organization, and psychological first aid. Goals of the Servant Leadership program include teaching students to reach out to the community in times of need and to help educate elementary school students on disaster preparedness.

Students from servant leadership classes at Forest Lake Academy graduated from Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Psychological First Aid training. (Photo: David Canther)

“The peer-to-peer training by Heritage Academy taught FLA students how to reach out and represent Jesus to neighborhoods in times of need, as well as for Central Florida to see our Academy as a caring, dependable asset to the local community,” stated Stephanie Johnson, Servant Leadership teacher.

Student responses to this training and the possibilities it brings to community involvement have been very positive. Natalie Hoefling, senior, stated, “I like that the training was something I can use in real life. Unfortunately, disasters happen, but now I feel I can help if the need arises.”

Meeting people’s needs to show them Jesus is the purpose of the Servant Leadership program. ACTS training has given students one more way to be like Jesus in the community.