Finishing Strong: A Virtual Week of Spiritual Emphasis
Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, students in Adventist institutions across the North American Division are still finishing strong!
With this current crisis, life, as we know it, has changed. With the end of the school year approaching, students are at home, managing their academic responsibilities along with the uncertainty of how the pandemic crisis will affect their education and their future. Many students also find it difficult to attend classes virtually, and as more time passes, confined to their homes, it is hard to be as productive as they would have been at school. Leaders and teachers are working around the clock to help students be productive, especially in the midst of uncertainty.
The first-ever virtual week of spiritual emphasis, utilizing the theme, Finishing Strong, was a collaborative effort between the North American Division Office of Education (NADOE), Breath of Life Television Ministries and was facilitated by the South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (SAC). Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church and Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministries, served as the featured speaker.
The program, primarily organized for students attending Adventist institutions, began on May 4th and continued through May 8th daily, with students, parents, and teachers live streaming the worship experience from Breath of Life’s website and various social media platforms. Teachers and students tuned in from their homes, and offices, and some teachers reported viewing the program while video-conferencing with their students through Zoom.
During the week, several students, parents, and teachers responded via social media, phone calls, and emails saying how deeply moved they were by the messages. Each message explained one of the central doctrines of Adventism; such as the Second Coming, and the state of the dead. There were also several activities during the live broadcast to give students the opportunity to participate in the daily program. Students submitted questions that were answered live. Students also provided daily scripture readings and offered prayers virtually. Students even shared what they were doing to finish the school year strong by participating in the #FinishingStrong photo contest.
To supplement the live event and engage students further, the Momentum Youth Bible Study Series was made available via the Breath of Life website through a partnership with the North American Division. These Bible study guides provide teachers with an additional creative tool to interact with students and reinforce classroom Bible lessons.
In response to the week of spiritual emphasis, many students decided to accept Christ as their personal Saviour. Some students have even begun planning special in-person baptisms with Pastor Byrd. This is a reminder that though we are living in uncertain times, students can finish this school year strong, and make certain that their eternal future is secure as well. All they have to do is trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their understanding. He has promised to direct their paths!
