TEACHER COMMISSIONING

from SEC Campmeeting 2023 Program

CAMP HOURS OF OPERATION

Processional Platform Guests

Invocation ........................................................... Elder Emmanuel Charles, CFO

Welcome ............................................................................................... Cynthia Murray Principal - MOJA

Remarks……………………….............................………………….Dr. Sandra Fletcher Education Director

Musical Selection.........................................................................Educators Chorale

Introduction of Speaker ……………...............………………Dr. Michael Owusu President

Charge to Candidates…………………..........................……………Murray Cooper

Southern Union Director of Education

Presentation of Commissioning Candidates

George Aristide Junior Ducheine

Sylvia Haylock

Louis Jones

Dave Joseph

My Pledge to Ministry…………………………………..…Pastor Pierre Francois Executive Secretary

Musical Selection……………...................................................………... Kim Skinner

Presentation to Canidates

Prayer of Dedication..............................................…..…Pastor Pierre Francois Executive Secretary

Closing Prayer …………………….........................………...……………...Louis Jones

T. George Aristide is a dedicated and passionate school principal with an extensive 47-year career serving children as a teacher. He is a loving husband to Micheline and a proud father to four sons: George, Eric, Steve, and Michael. Aristide is a well-educated leader, having earned his BA in Physics and Math from Andrew’s University, followed by an MBA from American Intercontinental University. His mission as an educator and minister of teaching is to guide his ﬂock towards the Lord, walking faithfully in His footsteps.

His approach to ministering to his students involves setting an exemplary standard, providing counsel, and maintaining consistency in upholding Christian values. Aristide believes that he was called to this profession by God, and it is this divine calling that inﬂuences his role as a minister of teaching the most.

In the realm of spiritual growth, Aristide’s most signiﬁcant contribution to his students is leading them towards knowing their Savior. He is steadfast in helping his students comprehend Jesus’ gift of grace and salvation. He does this by emulating Christ’s qualities of giving grace and mercy and demonstrating the capacity to forgive and forget.

Aristide acknowledges the crucial role of parents and church members in his successful ministry. He values their insights and believes that their input can greatly contribute to the educational process. His openness to their feedback is a testament to his collaborative leadership style.

In his long-standing career, Principal T. George Aristide has touched countless lives, modeling the teachings of Christ and inspiring students to walk in the path of righteousness.

Junior Ducheine - While my journey to becoming a servant-teacher wasn’t marked by grand biblical moments like Moses hearing God’s call from a burning bush, the divine invitation and assurance of support remain as powerful today as they were in biblical times.

Like Moses, I initially met the call with some resistance and apprehension, largely due to compensation concerns. This fear mirrored the biblical narrative of the seven lean cows in Pharaoh’s dream, symbolizing a time of scarcity. Often, when God entrusts us with a mission, we may feel overwhelmed and underprepared. Moses himself questioned his abilities openly, a sentiment I, too, expressed during my interview for this position. Yet, as God reassured Moses, I have found that my skills are sufﬁcient and help always arrives when needed.

Seven years have passed, during which I have thrived as an educator ministering to others. A successful servant-teacher needs exceptional people skills because teaching, fundamentally, is also about learning. Over the years, my students and their families have been my greatest teachers. To beneﬁt my students, I’ve nurtured strong relationships with their parents. My role as a teacher has allowed me to participate in signiﬁcant events in the lives of my students and their families, from acknowledging academic accomplishments to celebrating milestone birthdays, baptisms, and home visits. Occasionally, I’ve supported them through challenging moments such as illness or loss. For me, being a servant-teacher is an all-encompassing ministry.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 5:8: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” I often remind my students that the classroom is a safe space to make academic mistakes and learn from them. These learning hurdles allow me to tailor educational objectives and outcomes. As a servant-educator, I acknowledge that the transformation of my students’ lives through teaching is not solely my undertaking. Instead, it is the divine grace that facilitates this process. My role is to guide each person toward Christ in every lesson, topic, or subject. I relay the story of God’s love, trusting that God will handle the rest. While I can lay the groundwork, the progress ultimately lies in the hands of the Master Teacher.

Sylvia Haylock, a ﬁrst-grade teacher at Miami Union Adventist Academy, has been part of their teaching staff since 2017. She began her journey at the academy as a second-grade teacher, transitioning to teaching ﬁrst grade-two years later.

Born in Cuba to Pastor Tulio R. Haylock and Raquel Haylock, Sylvia has two brothers, Carlos and Ricardo. The family relocated from Cuba to the Dominican Republic, living there for a few years before settling in the United States.

Sylvia completed her high school education at Greater Miami Academy in Miami, Florida. She then pursued her undergraduate studies at Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, Tennessee, now known as Southern Adventist University. She later moved to Maryland, graduating from Takoma Park University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. This move to Maryland was motivated by her father’s appointment to serve at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Sylvia feels pride and humility regarding her father’s contribution to organizing the ﬁrst Adventist World Radio station, AWR-Guam.

In 1991, Sylvia started her professional journey as a kindergarten teacher at Miami Springs Adventist School in Miami Springs, Florida. Seeking to further her education, she enrolled at NOVA Southeastern University in 1998, earning a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2001. Subsequently, she worked as a caseworker in the court system, assisting families battling substance abuse to achieve recovery and reunion.

Four years into this role, Sylvia paused her career to provide care for her ailing parents. During this challenging period, she met Haris Fernandez, and they were married a year later. Her mother passed away two months after their wedding, followed by her father a few years later. Following the loss of her father, Sylvia returned to education as a substitute teacher at William A. Kirlew Junior Academy and Miami Springs Adventist School. She also served as a music teacher for kindergarten through third-grade students at Miami Springs Adventist School. In 2017, Sylvia ofﬁcially joined the faculty of Miami Union Adventist Academy.

Sylvia views teaching as a vocation of profound humility and responsibility, suitable only for those truly called to the profession. Despite the challenging work and modest pay, she ﬁnds the outcome incredibly rewarding. She values the ability to shape young minds and inspire hope for the future. As a Seventh-day Adventist, she believes in spreading the message of a loving Savior whose return is near. She fulﬁlls this mission daily in her role as a Christian teacher at a Christian school.

Louis Jones has dedicated 23 years of his life to the ﬁeld of education. Married to Stacey and a proud father of three, Oshane, Brandon, and Abigail, Jones has been nurturing young minds and hearts for over two decades.

In 2000, he received his teaching diploma from Church Teachers’ College. He later enhanced his qualiﬁcations with a Bachelor of Education in 2009 and a Master’s in Educational Administration in 2014, both from the University of the West Indies.

Jones views his role as a teacher not just as an educator but as a mentor inspiring his students to lead a life of service and to establish a spiritual connection with Jesus Christ. His ultimate mission is to shape young individuals into becoming responsible and spiritually oriented members of society. Jones endeavors to incorporate Christian values into all aspects of his teachings and to personally exemplify a C hristlike character.

Jones employs both written and hidden curricula to engage his students holistically. He creates an environment that encourages love, persistence, excellence, forgiveness, and empathy. Furthermore, he places great emphasis on discipline, yet he believes in giving students second chances, mirroring Christ’s grace bestowed upon us. He also shares personal anecdotes of his own academic, social, and spiritual journey, illustrating the power of transformation through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Influenced by the pressing notion of Christ’s imminent return, Jones sees his role as an educator as an opportunity to prepare souls for the kingdom of God. A significant aspect of his contribution to his students’ spiritual development lies in sharing God’s word through various mediums, nurturing them to become reflective thinkers. The impact of his efforts is evident in the thoughtful decisions his students make daily, showing the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jones believes that his ministry can reach its full potential when parents and church members unite under a shared vision. This uniﬁed vision will foster a stronger partnership in reinforcing spiritual truths and manifesting them through actions. Consequently, students will be inspired to follow a pathway that leads to Jesus Christ.

Dave Joseph, born on September 29, 1983, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pursued his early education at Broward Junior Academy, previously known as Broward Seventh-Day Adventist Bilingual School, in Plantation, Florida. After graduating from Fort Lauderdale High School, he was driven by an early calling to serve the Lord. He still remembers delivering his ﬁrst sermon at age 11 at Bon Samaritan SDA French Church in Fort Lauderdale. Shortly thereafter, he was baptized, committing himself to spreading the teachings of Jesus.

After a year at Broward Community College, Joseph transferred to Oakwood College (presently Oakwood University) in Huntsville, Alabama. Here, he earned his Bachelor’s degree, focusing on religion and elementary education with a minor in theology. He is currently undertaking a Masters in Educational Leadership at Andrews University.

During his time in Huntsville, Joseph felt a deep call to serve his community. He began working under the guidance of the late Coach James Roddy in the Student Services Department at Oakwood University, where he nurtured his passion for sports. He held positions as Assistant Coach to the men’s basketball team and Head Coach of the women’s softball team, securing three basketball championships during his tenure.

Joseph’s leadership extended beyond sports into spiritual guidance, serving as an elder, transportation director, and communications director. In 2009, he was pivotal in establishing the Agape Haitian American Adventist Church in Huntsville.

Returning to South Florida in December 2016, Joseph continued to serve his home church in various roles, including Deacon, Pathﬁnder Director, Youth Director, Assistant Director to the Education Department, and Elder. Currently, he serves as Assistant Chaplain with the Federation de la Jeunesse Adventiste Haitienne (FeJAH) and is the ﬁrst elder at his home church, Bon Samaritan SDA Haitian Church.

Joseph advocates for Christian education based on his personal journey. He is the 7th-grade homeroom teacher at his alma mater, Broward Junior Academy. He also imparts social studies, Bible studies, PE, and Health knowledge to middle and high school students.

His love for Christ and achievements are deeply rooted in his family, whom he holds in the highest esteem. He is a son to George and Leonne Joseph, a brother to Adeline, Juanita, and Nancy, and an uncle to several nieces and nephews. His life took a joyful turn on October 1, 2022, when he proposed to his beloved, Joolie Francois. His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 2:5, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Joseph’s story continues to evolve, guided by the Spirit and open to reproof, correction, and training. As a committed servant of the Lord, his ultimate aspiration is to witness the glorious return of King Jesus.

MONDAY

DAILY POINT:No matter what, God is faithful, He always keeps His promises!

BIBLE PROMISE VERSE: “Remember that the Lord your God is the only God…” Deuteronomy 7:9

TUESDAY

DAILY POINT: When I am sad, God is faithful, He always keeps His promises!

BIBLE PROMISE VERSE: Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. Deuteronomy 7:9

WEDNESDAY

DAILY POINT: When I am lonely, God is faithful, He always keeps His promises!

BIBLE PROMISE VERSE: Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant... Deuteronomy 7:9

THURSDAY

DAILY POINT: When I love, God is faithful, He always keeps His promises!

BIBLE PROMISE VERSE: Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant and show his constant love to a thousand generations... Deuteronomy 7:9

FRIDAY

DAILY POINT: When I am happy, God is faithful, He always keeps His promises!

BIBLE PROMISE VERSE: Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant and show his constant love to a thousand generations of those who love him and obey his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9