by Daniela Monzon

A long-awaited dream for friends of Forest Lake Academy (FLA) in Apopka came true March 1 when they attended ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies for new tennis courts. Among those present were key individuals who played a significant part in making the dream a reality by their support, expectations, and spirit.

Coach Rodney Fulbright, FLA athletic director, presented a history of the courts which were a dream of his since 1979. By this time next year, Coach Fulbright anticipates varsity tennis will be among the sports programs offered to students.

Another person making the dream happen was Cindy Latiak, whose visions of tennis courts trace back to the days when her children were academy students. Now, she envisions a community of Adventists gathering to play the sport, learning how to work together, developing sportsmanship, and, overall, enjoying a fun and healthy pastime.

FLA coach Tamara Ritterskamp was present when the project was first discussed, and she is excited to get students involved in tennis. Seeing the courts now completed, she looks forward to teaching a new sport in the physical education curriculum.

Patty Manoucheri is among those who helped create FLA varsity sports. She envisions memberships for the courts with community folks enjoying them as well. “It’s awesome now that the courts are here,” she comments. “Just the reality of it! This is where people discover their talent.”

Forest Lake Academy’s new tennis courts are only a glimpse of recent renovations on the campus. Expansion of the Alumni House to accommodate the Distance Learning Program has begun. Just last school year, the gym received a new roof. The swimming pool is currently being refurbished and, thanks to Brandon Forbes and Richard Carr, Class of 2012, the outdoor basketball courts have received a facelift.

Great things are happening at Forest Lake Academy and, God willing, the best is yet to come!

Florida Conference In Mission is a monthly video series about people reaching people.

This month’s report is on Indigo Christian Junior Academy’s successful implementation of the CREATION Health program in students’ daily routine.

Video produced by Adventist Health System for its 2012 Conference On Mission.

by Gladys Neigel

Indigo Christian Junior Academy (ICJA) in Daytona Beach is making news this year as the pilot school for CREATION Health Schools, a three-way partnership between ICJA, Florida Hospital, and Florida Conference.

A CREATION Health School is one in which the CREATION Health principles are applied to the school as an institution, with the goal of holistic health for all within the school’s influence. “We are not only seeking to teach CREATION Health principles to our students; we want to help them live it,” says Jerry Wasmer, Daytona Beach Church pastor. “As a board, as staff, and as a whole school, it became clear we would have to live it also.

“We wanted to see what it would look like if we allowed these God-given principles to affect every area of our school—not just to see how we measure up, but because we believe God wants us to grow. We quickly saw that His vision is much broader and much better than we would have ever thought.”

Board members decided they wanted to see these principles reflected in the DNA of the school, allowing the principles to impact planning and decision-making in every area, from lunch programs to building plans, policy to paint color, from parent training to the day-to-day functions of the school. Nothing would be off limits.

Preparation for the pilot program began during the 2010–2011 school year with the school board, teachers, and students learning health principles covered by the CREATION acronym. The school board systematically measured every area of the school against the ideals, taking note of areas needing improvement and already strong areas that could be built upon. The board set a limited number of major goals for the following year. Students collectively set classroom goals for the 2011–2012 pilot year with teams of students empowered to implement the following goals and ensure they were reached:

Choice
A classroom economy model to learn money management and how to make responsible decisions.

Rest
Weekly sleep charts with a goal of eight hours.

Environment
Eight live plants per classroom.

Activity
Pedometers, set walking goals, and plan a fitness trail.

Trust
30 minutes in prayer every Wednesday and a Prayer Lock-in event.

Interpersonal Relationships
Student of the week and a school bonding campout.

Outlook
Classroom commitment to speak positively, and a funny wall to go to for a laugh when life gets them down.

Nutrition
Weekly “vegetable tray day” for a healthy snack.

The upper grades completed a week of classes at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in February. As a combination of their science curriculum and CREATION Health, students learned many aspects involved in healing the whole person. In addition to regular class work, students spent time each day learning from health professionals, experiencing the work done in different departments, and participating in hands-on projects in several areas including nutrition and pastoral care. Their visit to the pathology lab, where students examined an amputated foot with gangrene and a lung complete with a tumor, was covered in the journal, ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals.

“It is so exciting to visit the upper grades at ICJA under Principal Kari Wasmer,” says Sandra Doran, Florida Conference Associate Superintendent of Education. “The students are functioning at their best—making decisions, taking ownership, and fully engaging in important tasks that matter to them.”

Wasmer, principal and Grades 5–8 teacher; Calina Gibbs, Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher; and Karen Thomas, Grades 1–4 teacher, have seen the following results since implementing the CREATION Health Schools pilot program:

• Enrollment more than doubled.
• More community visibility and better reputation.
• Improved test scores.
• Students more engaged and empowered.
• Student attitudes are positive and constructive.

“ICJA students say that CREATION Health is awesome and exciting, because it makes learning fun,” says Lynell LaMountain, Senior Manager of CREATION Health/Mission Development for Florida Hospital. “They love finding new ways to apply the principles of God’s original plan for living an abundant life. It’s transforming their lives and school.”

“Christ’s ministry reaches the whole person,” explains Pastor Wasmer, “and our schools are a prime venue for impacting the current and future health of our children. All we’re really doing is trying to sense God’s direction and join His mission to help His kids live healthy, happy, and productive lives.”

by Sandra Doran

From an all-time high of 23 students three years ago, Osceola Adventist Christian School in Kissimmee has 78 students sitting at their desks today, with many more knocking on the doors.

“We are excited how the Lord is blessing,” says Nury Perez, principal. “Every week, we get calls from parents interested in finding out more about our program.”

Such inquiries spring from the good news that is spreading all over Osceola County. “The best kept secret in Kissimmee” is going public with an expanding physical plant, enhanced curriculum, and excited teachers and students. Beginning with just one room and an accordion divider, the school recently obtained a 5,600-square-foot modular building, donated by a friend of church member Don Gray. He, along with Kissimmee Church Pastor Ronaldo DaCunha and church members Manley Voorhees and John Beatty, arrive daily to refinish walls, seal the roof, install wiring, and paint doorways. When students arrive for the coming school year, they will find five new spacious classrooms.

“The whole thing is a miracle,” says Perez.” The blessings just keep coming.” The school has acquired two donated school buses and is currently involved in a strategic school improvement plan through funds administered by the Osceola School district. Professional development is provided by the Aha! Group which trains teachers in standardized test score analysis, effective teaching strategies, and how to raise student achievement.

In March, Southern Union Conference Education Associate Director Diane Ruff presented a three-week evangelistic series at the school, resulting in baptisms at five surrounding churches. On May 5, the school will host a benefit concert featuring Chosen 4 Christ.

“Keep an eye on Osceola Adventist Christian School,” says Frank Runnels, Florida Conference Education Superintendent. “This school is on the move!”

by Daniela Monzon

What happens when you take energetic Forest Lake Academy students to a neighborhood in need? Simply magic! During the Just Do Something Mission Week, planned by Impact Ministries of Central Florida, students experienced what serving God through their actions is really all about.

Each class was divided into randomly selected groups to make repairs on houses in Apopka that needed a little tender loving care. The anxious participants had no idea what to expect as each group, led by a student leader from the Servant Leadership class, made their way to meet the resident whose house would be transformed.

As introductions were made and jobs were assigned, the crew embarked on the day-long journey to touch somebody’s life with what they thought would only be unspoken words and actions. As the day progressed, students began to slowly warm up to their residents, eventually talking with them and taking time to meet and play with their kids.

The more comfortable the students began to feel in this new environment, the more efficient the work became. Classmates began to bond. People who hardly ever talked started getting to know each other through teamwork, asking each other for help in a job they could not complete alone.

In that one Just Do Something day, classmates saw each other in a new light as they joined for a common purpose: To be the hands and feet of Jesus to people needing it most, so they may see Jesus through the students and everything their actions convey.

by Lisa Ziegele

Students at East Pasco Adventist Academy, Zephyrhills, Fla., pledged to keep hands off drugs by placing their handprint on a large placard displayed in front of the school. They joined others across the nation in raising drug awareness and encouraging healthy choices during the celebration of National Red Ribbon Week.

The highlight of the event was an energetic assembly featuring “The Body Evangelist” Casio Jones, Wellness Director at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. A sought-after health and wellness fitness educator and trainer, Jones has his own fitness TV program entitled Action 4 Life. He engaged students with colorful object lessons, a relay team obstacle course, and a rousing exercise session overridden with an inspirational message of living healthy and drug free.

Daily Red Ribbon Week themes included: Put a Cap On Drugs, Sock It To Drugs, Shake Out Drugs, and Wear Red Day/Pledge Day. Activities throughout the week included a poster contest and a variety of educational activities in the classrooms.

by Sandra Doran

When Gordon Retzer, Southern Union Conference President, challenged his staff in 2009 to “find some way to be involved in evangelism,” Diane Ruff, Office of Education Associate Director for Elementary Education, listened intently.

Knowing exactly where her energies needed to be focused, Ruff could not resist the calling any longer. “I kept asking myself, ‘What can I do to lead children closer to Jesus?’”

That question prompted a commitment from Ruff to conduct one evangelistic meeting each year in Seventh-day Adventist schools. This year, Osceola Adventist Christian School in Kissimmee, Fla., benefitted as the third school to host Ruff’s energizing presentations, Truth 4 Youth.

Designed to reach children between the ages of 5-13, which researcher George Barna has discovered is the “most effective window” to lead people to make a lifelong commitment to Christ, the series of meetings included memory verses, arts and crafts, prizes, and preaching.

Prior to starting the evangelism series in Kissimmee, Ruff worked in cooperation with five area Adventist churches to form a framework of support for the effort that included a three-week series at the school and a second campaign held on three Sabbaths at Kissimmee Spanish Church. “This gave the church school students an opportunity to share their faith by inviting friends to church,” says Ruff.

At the conclusion of both series, the churches rejoiced together with a joint baptism.

by Lisa Ziegele

Students and staff from East Pasco Adventist Academy (EPAA), Dade City, Fla., packed more than 40 gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is the first year the school has participated in the international outreach program of Samaritan’s Purse that provides children in war-torn and developing nations with gift boxes at Christmastime.

Boxes were packed with items often taken for granted by students in North America—basic toiletries like soap and toothpaste, school supplies, small toys, and candy. Students were able to track the destination country of their boxes and find information on the work Operation Christmas Child is doing in those countries.

“I hope the kids who received the gifts we packed will know they are special,” says EPAA seventh-grader Jada Theodore. “I’m glad that we could be a part of making other kids’ Christmases memorable.”

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.

“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.

 

by Charles Possenriede

A six-week Field School of Evangelism was conducted in West Palm Beach this summer where eight students from Southern Adventist University (SAU) held meetings in area churches.

All SAU theology majors, after their junior year, are required to participate in a summer field school. The 2011 Field School in West Palm Beach, conducted by the School of Religion under the auspices of Southern Union Conference, was directed by Professors Alan Parker, D.Th., and Barry Tryon, D.Min. The following student evangelists were involved: Ramsey Asenjo, Benjamin Crerar, Shawn Kelley, Ross Knight, Eli Rojas, Alejandro Sarria, Morris Thompson, and Jason Wheeler.

Shawn Kelley and Eli Rojas were evangelists for the Revelation of Hope seminar at Pompano Beach Church. “They couldn’t have done a better job in presenting the truth and engaging the members and visitors,” says Charles Possenriede, Pompano Beach pastor.

Among those who attended those meetings were Claude Jean-Charles, his wife, Jessica, and infant son. On the last Friday evening, Claude indicated on a decision card: “I once knew Jesus but have drifted away, and tonight I recommit my life to Christ. I want to be baptized like Jesus.”

The next day, the family attended Pompano Church and stayed for fellowship dinner. Several church members talked with Claude and Jessica, and they seemed excited about attending church. Tragically, Claude passed away just a few hours later. He had spent the last day of his life worshiping God on Sabbath with his family.

Learn more about the Field School of Evangelism at Southern’s School of Religion web site.