Washington Conference schools have countless opportunities to connect with their communities and beyond. Through a variety of service projects, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that take them beyond the classroom and expand their view of the world. Below are several inspiring stories of schools that made a meaningful impact during the 2024–2025 school year.
Orcas Christian School
A group of mission volunteers from Orcas Christian School traveled to Belize, where they served at Hope Christian Academy, helping with painting, landscaping and constructing a new bathroom for the school. Despite a last-minute change in their original plans, the team adapted with resilience and enthusiasm, quickly bonding with local students and staff. They immersed themselves in the culture through traditional Belizean meals, worship services and exploring historic sites like the Altun Ha Mayan ruins. Their week also included moments of celebration and rest, such as snorkeling near San Pedro Island and ziplining through the jungle. By the end of the trip, the group had not only completed their service projects, but also experienced profound spiritual and personal growth through connection, faith and adventure.
Kitsap Adventist Christian School
The Kitsap Adventist Christian School team went to El Salvador to help begin construction on a church for the small congregation of San Rafael de Oriente. The team also planned Vacation Bible School located in a rundown building the congregation rented as a temporary church. There were no windows and only two ceiling fans that did little more than stir the tropical air. Five children showed for VBS, and though they had prepared for more and were exhausted from the heat, the team launched into the program with all the energy they could summon. The Adventist community in the area was small, but all were grateful for the help KACS provided.
Auburn Adventist Academy
During spring break, 32 Auburn Adventist Academy students participated in a medical mission trip to Pagudpud, Philippines, through In His Service Amianan. Each day started with breakfast and an hour-and-a-half worship gathering before students began their choice of service for the day. They could choose to work alongside doctors, nurses and dentists at the on-campus clinic or travel with the mobile health clinic to remote Barangays; plan and organize the evening VBS program; or work on construction projects. Students forged beautiful friendships, grew spiritually and gained valuable medical experience. For more information about the mission, visit ihsamission.com.
Cypress Adventist School
Fifth- sixth- and seventh-graders at Cypress Adventist School in Lynnwood are making a difference through a mission outreach that supports underprivileged girls in Haiti. The students used donated fabric and sewing supplies to make beautiful dresses. In each dress pocket is a note telling the girl that Jesus loves them. It is an invitation to get to know Jesus as a friend. Autumn Paskell, CAS principal, is proud of her students for stepping up to share Jesus’ love, learning a new skill, economically using leftover materials and praying that they can make an impact for Jesus — one stitch at a time.
OCS students help paint, landscape and construct a new bathroom for Hope Christian Academy in Belize.
KACS helps build a church in El Salvador and leads VBS.
CAS students sew dresses to support underprivileged girls in Haiti.
