WORTHY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS IMPACT YOUNG LIVES FOR ETERNITY

by Mike Cauley, D.Min.
Florida Conference President
This time of year always provides me an opportunity to reflect on the many blessings God has provided over the past twelve months.
One such blessing is the overall increased school enrollment we have seen this year. I am encouraged whenever I hear stories about one of our students making a decision for Christ. I feel particularly blessed when that student is able to attend one of our schools because of grants from our Worthy Student Fund. Here are two such stories:
Michele Huarte is a senior at Greater Miami Adventist Academy (GMAA). Michele, lovingly known as Coco by her family and friends, has always had a passion for art and previously attended a school that focused on the arts. She realized, however, that although she had this passion, there was a void in her life that it could not fill. In her words, “The emptiness continued, and I cried every day.”
One time, the person who drove her to school each day failed to pick her up. Her family became concerned about the reliability of this arrangement and decided to check into GMAA which is within walking distance of her home. Although her family is not Adventist, Michele began attending our church in Westchester. Again, in her words, she says, “I felt like the Holy Spirit was steering me in a different direction than what the art school was offering.” Michele applied for admission to GMAA and, with assistance from the Worthy Student Fund, was able to enroll.
“I thank God for reaching out to me and saving me. God spoke to me in many ways, and I became very active at school. On November 11, during GMAA’s Week of Prayer, I was baptized by Pastor Samuel Reyes.”
Another encouraging story is that of Mariank Gonzalez. She is a freshman at Forest Lake Academy (FLA).
Mariank loves the Lord and has attended a Simple Church group since 2008. During that time, five of her friends from public school have come to Simple Church at her invitation; and one of them has been baptized.
Mariank had never before been able to attend an Adventist (or even a Christian) school. She often spoke of how it distressed her to have to study things she did not believe and repeat the information back to her teachers. It was her dream to be able to attend FLA, but financial reasons made it seem inaccessible to her.
Last April, however, she and her family began applying for scholarships. Thanks to scholarships from FLA, Florida Conference, and Simple Church, Mariank is attending FLA this year.
Appeal
We are truly blessed to hear stories such as these. Unfortunately, here in our Conference, we still have many deserving students who are unable to afford or find scholarships to cover the costs associated with a quality Christian education.
This holiday season, please consider giving a gift that will impact a young person’s life for eternity by making a year-end gift to your local Adventist school or to the Conference’s Worthy Student Fund. You may either use the envelope inserted in print copies of the Winter 2012 Florida Focus, or contribute online with the Adventist Giving web site. Thank you for your generosity. Merry Christmas!