Adventist Education 101
Introduction to Joy BY RICARDO GRAHAM
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saiah 55:12 states, “For ye shall go out with joy, and
will always be appreciative of my teachers. I see in that
be led forth with peace” (KJV). I often think of this
experience that I was being led with joy!
text when I reflect on my life and the way that God
I am one of many who pray for our schools every
has led me “with joy.” One of the most important turn-
day. I pray for our students, and I pray for our teach-
ing points in my journey relates to my experience with
ers. And I know that I am just one of thousands of
Adventist education as a young man. The simple, joyful
believers who include our schools, students, teachers,
statement is this: I am a Seventh-day Adventist today
and school leadership in their prayers each day. If you
because of three pivotal, life-changing years I spent in
are in one of those categories—if you are a teacher or
Adventist schools in Detroit, Michigan.
administrator at one of our schools, if you are a board
Those three joyous years shaped my life—grades 7 to 9. As a young man I experienced the love and
in any school—the saints are praying for you and your
care of teachers who were interested in me person-
success. This is also part of being led with joy.
ally. They demonstrated that care from the first day I
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member or volunteer, if you are a student at any level
In 1 John 4:16 it says, “God is love. Whoever lives
attended, not just in general but also in spiritual terms.
in love lives in God, and God in them” (NIV). This is
Through their leadership, I made a decision to join the
the joyous truth that all our teachers know. It is the
Seventh-day Adventist Church and was baptized at
foundation of every lesson plan, every lecture, every
age 14 by Elder Calvin Rock at the City Temple church
experiment, and every homework assignment. “God is
in Detroit. I have never regretted that decision, and I
love” is the foundational truth for all of our teachers.
PA PACCIIFFIICC U UN NIIO ON N RREECO CORRD DEERR