Jerry Russell walked into a financial ministry prayer time on Monday, Aug. 31, and exclaimed, “I had the best meeting of my career last week!”
As vice president for finance for Washington Conference, Russell has years of experience in attending usually predictable and fairly routine financial meetings. This time was different.
“We were meeting to finalize Auburn’s budget since registration had just happened, and the initial enrollment numbers were in,” Russell says, as he tells the story of meeting with John Soulé, Auburn Adventist Academy (AAA) principal, and Marko Oksanen, AAA business manager. “I knew this would be a good meeting because I had been told the day before that we had 220 students, with nearly 100 in the dorm, and we had a nearly balanced budget with 205 students with 70 in the dorm.”
The four-hour budget meeting began with an announcement of 228 accepted students; by the time the meeting concluded, 233 students were accepted.
“God brought the right students to Auburn in answer to our specific prayers and the hard work of our school volunteers,” says Soulé.
“Prayers are being answered right before our eyes,” says Russell. “I have been praying for 250 students for quite some time now, and I have to admit lately that I had kind of given up on that, but God has come through in a big way.”
The academy has a balanced budget based on 230 students with 90 in the dorm. This budget level allows for appropriately funding programs and includes financial reserves for future needs.
“I can’t wait to see what God does with the rest of this school year,” Russell says. “We need to be faithful, keep praying and see what God will do.”
Student leaders at Auburn Adventist Academy welcome 233 new and returning students to campus during registration.
Auburn Adventist Academy students and parents visit registration stations in Dower Chapel.
Witzel Hall, the residence for boys at Auburn Adventist Academy, has a full roster of students and a residency staff who is focused on mentoring young men to lead godly lives.
Parents, students and staff attend a orientation session at Auburn Adventist Academy. A third of the student body is new this year.
New and returning students and parents line up to receive their registration packets for Auburn Adventist Academy.
Debbie Coon, AAA aquatics instructor, talks with Emily Karmy, AAA senior, about athletic options to sign up for during registration.
Trent Russell, instrument instructor, talks with Auburn Adventist Academy students about music options during registration.
Carmen Slavens and John Soulé help Auburn students complete their registration.
Khaneisha Harewood, assistant girls' dean, helps residents check in to Grace Hall, the women's residence at Auburn Adventist Academy.
Auburn Adventist Academy Church members, like Kelli Butler, help dorm students move in as part of the "We Haul" ministry.
