Arizona Conference

Adventist education is a mission field,” said new Arizona Conference Superintendent of Education Chris Juhl. “We have to truly view ourselves as missionaries and be willing to be called by God and view the calling as just that—a calling.”

Ministry is a big part of Juhl’s life experience. His father dedicated his life to 40 years of literature ministry. While in college, Juhl searched for ways that he could serve others.

“I first considered becoming a Christian journalist,” he said. “But the head of the English department inspired me to explore education, and he set up me up as a teacher’s aide in a first-grade classroom.”

Thirty plus years later, that teacher aide position has led to becoming an English teacher, a school principal, and a conference superintendent. Prior to moving to Arizona, he served as the head of school for the Forest Lake Education Center in Longwood, Florida. He also previously served as superintendent of education for the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference. He developed and wrote the Juhl Reading Program, which has been used in over 100 elementary schools across North America, and he is one of the top coaches for Marzano StandardsBased Learning.

He sees the role of Adventist education as critical to the growth of the church. “Adventist schools are 180-day evangelistic series,” he noted. “At the school we have a captive audience who generally have a high regard for the teacher. All other avenues of evangelism are dependent on individuals choosing to show up.”

Juhl’s focus for the future of Arizona Conference Education is to establish a long-term vision and plan that encourages sustainability for schools. “Too many schools over the past few years ride the ‘SDA rollercoaster,’” he said. “They have 45 students one year, 28 the next, 52 the next, 26 the next.” Healthy, sustainable, and achievable growth plans for each school are part of his mission for the Arizona Conference.

____________________ By Jeff Rogers

The Cottonwood and Sedona churches joined with the Grupo Hispano de Sedona for the first-ever district campout at Clear Creek, Arizona. The highlight of the weekend took place on Sabbath afternoon when everyone went to the creek to witness four people—Asher, Lorrie, Sara, and Cody—dedicate their lives to Christ through baptism.

When the church members arrived at the creek, there was already a group of people swimming. When the swimmers saw what was about to take place, they quickly moved aside. Each subsequent baptism was applauded by both church members and the observers. An appeal was made after the final baptism, and the Holy Spirit impressed Jordy from the Grupo Hispano de Sedona group to come forward to be baptized. Jordy’s grandmother had been baptized into the group three years ago, becoming the only Adventist in her family. Jordy was impacted by her testimony for Christ, and when the appeal was made, he responded immediately.

After the last baptism took place, Victor approached with his daughter, Anastasia. They were part of the group that had been swimming and had stepped aside to watch the baptisms take place. Anastasia wanted to learn more about Jesus. Victor expressed that he hadn’t practiced his faith in many years but recently was becoming interested again. They inquired about what church was responsible for the baptisms, and when the response was “Seventh-day Adventist,” the father smiled and stated that his wife’s grandmother was an Adventist and attended the Camp Verde church. After exchanging contact information, a family from the Cottonwood church connected with Anastasia’s family and shared books with them.

____________________ By Vincent Woolsey