Gathering around the campfire bundled up in coats, hats and mittens, with hot chocolate warming hands and hearts, the students of Anchorage Junior Academy (AJA) gathered to celebrate the end of the first quarter of school. Moments like these are what brings together a school community. The kids love to sing and choose some of their favorite ones to sing around the campfire.
This special campfire worship marked the special celebration and served as a reflection point on the first units in Bible class. As a teacher, Katie Richmond, AJA principal, is thrilled to be in the third year of implementing the new North American Division’s Encounter Bible program, and the students and families are enjoying it as well.
In this unit, the children explored the question, “How much does God really care about me?” A big question to tackle at any time but especially now, considering all the issues our broken sin-filled world is dealing with right now. As Adventists, we believe it’s vitally important to reassure our children that God has a plan, a plan to protect and provide for us because He loves us abundantly.
Through Bible study, object lessons and discussions, the students agreed God loves us and has given each of us the opportunity to accept His incredible gift of salvation. One of the memory verses they learned was Eph. 2:8: “God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” The students’ favorite part of this unit was opening six gifts that helped them learn the story of salvation.
AJA was pleased to celebrate the baptism of two of its students this fall. “It warms our hearts to see our students choosing Jesus as their own,” says Jeanie de la Torre, AJA upper grade teacher.
The school’s mission is that each child learns about God and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Educators are actively involved in “passing God’s love on to the next generation.” It is their hope and prayer that their example, each student is more prepared to make their own choice to trust, love and follow God as leader of their life. AJA staff are truly blessed to be a part of an Adventist school in which students can learn about life and view the future through the lens of God’s love for each one of us.
AJA students enjoy cups of hot chocolate during the end-of-the-quarter campfire celebration.
AJA students celebrate the end of the quarter.
The celebration included students singing around the campfire.
Principal Katie Richmond (left) and teacher Jeanie de la Torre (right) greet their students Savasty and Saraelis de la Rosa after the students' baptism.
Melvin Santos baptizes Savasty de la Rosa.
