Thanksgiving has come and gone and as we head into the Christmas season I am so thankful that we have a God who cares and watches over us, not a God to fear.  Christopher Erich, 3rd and 4th grade teacher at the Milwaukee South Campus, presented a creative lesson on “Fears”.  The students shared their greatest fears.  As Mr. Erich had the students put their thumbs up if they were afraid of something or down if not afraid, I heard one student say to another student,  “We should not be afraid of anything because we have Jesus.”  I was so overwhelmed by the response from this student it brought tears to my eyes.  This is why we have our Adventist schools, to reinforce what students are learning about God at home and at church.  The teacher ended the lesson by having the students look up texts in the Bible to show that God is with us when we are afraid.  I am so glad for teachers who teach our young people about our great God of love.

This Christmas season I am also thankful for a wonderful team of teachers and pastors who are working together to lead our young people to a growing relationship with Jesus. Pastors are invited regularly to present worships, provide Weeks of Prayer, help with S.E.E. activities (Students Engaging for Eternity), and much, much more.  To show appreciation for their pastors during Pastor Appreciation week one school created a bulletin board of appreciation for their pastor, other schools made special cards, some teachers took their pastors out for a meal, and one school had a special potluck for their pastors.  Our schools will only grow stronger with pastors and teachers working together as a team.

Sue Nelson, Superintendent of Education