The Miracle School by Ron Quick ome refer to it as the "Miracle School." Others simply can't be- Slieve what has taken place. Located on flat sandy land two and a half hours east of Interstate 95 and just 45 minutes north of the Marine base at Camp LeJeune, the one room, one teacher school at New Bern, North Carolina, is quite a contrast from the large multi-teacher schools of western North Carolina. A year and a half ago Gordon Klocko, the su- perintendent of educa- tion for the Carolina Con- ference, was looking for a teacher to fill the va- cancy at the New Bern school. At that time there were only five students meeting in the little sanc- tuary of the New Bern church. The modest school at New Bern had its prob- lems. There were parents who felt the public school system was better equipped to teach their children. Some felt the nondenominational Christian school next door was the answer. Still others believed in the "Home Study" program. There were, however, a few at New Bern who Brandon Lee and Kelly Mulens with their teacher, Rand! Imbriano believed in the church school and were praying for its success. ferred to the school as "the Lord's should be in His school." Klocko remembers, as if it were school." She determined that the Randi would take Sabbath speak- just yesterday, the phone call he re- five students with which she would ing appointments in the churches. ceived from Long Island, New York. start would be an example of what Her message was simple. "The Randi Imbriano, a registered nurse the Lord could do through His Spirit Apostle Paul was a learned man, earning $38 an hour, was on the and of what could be accomplished plus he had an occupation." She other end of the line. She told in "the Lord's school." would preach, "Your children can do Klocko the Lord was calling her back "With courage like the Apostle the work of the Apostle." to teaching and that she wanted to Paul this enthusiastic teacher took It didn't take long for parents to teach in a one-teacher school in the on a monumental task," remembers notice a change. At first it was small Carolinas. Rita Roark, associate superinten- things around the home. Then par- "It has been a perfect match," de- dent. ents noticed how willingly the chil- scribes Klocko. "It is rare to find a The first thing Randi did was visit dren would take part in activities at teacher who wants to take on the the parents in their homes. She the church. Randi remembers the challenges of a one-teacher school; asked them to give her a probation- encouraging comments from par- especially the challenges that pre- ary time. "Let's see what the Lord ents the first time the children sang sented themselves at New Bern." can do." She would tell them, "The in church. From day one Randi Imbriano re- Lord intends that His children Families from Jacksonville were 2 ■ Southern Tidings June, 1991 have had parents serving in Saudi Arabia. This has added to the children's al- ready heavy letter writing program. Prior to writing to service people the children were already correspond- ing to missionaries in for- eign fields. There are two major "work study" projects the children work together on when the weather turns nice in the spring: the school garden and the real estate sign prdject. A large real estate agency in town had the school repaint all of its signs, thus providing the revenue the school needs for its various school projects. Randi, in her unassum- ing way, will tell you that none of the progress at the school was possible with- out the Lord or without the help from her two teacher assistants, Jenny Pittman and Diana Smith."It shows all," reports Klock°, "what As children from the New Bern school pledge allegiance to the flag many of them can't help thinking can be done when teaching of their fathers who are serving in the Persian Gulf. and leadership skills are combined with the Holy soon making the hour-long trip to school the public school students Spirit and trust in the Lord." ❑J New Bern to enroll their children in are behind, even the honor stu- "the Lord's school." dents. When the 300-member Ephesus Since the school is located near Cover: Terry Horton and Brandi Dupuis church wanted to start their own both the marine air station at Cherry peer out the window on a rainy Carolina school, Randi spoke to the church Point and the Marine base at Camp afternoon as they wait for their ride at the and invited the parents to enroll LeJeune, several of the students New Bern school. their children in the new Bern SDA school. By the end of the first year there were 20 students enrolled. There are presently 38 students en- rolled—they have to turn students away because the facilities aren't big enough. One day a pastor of another faith stopped by to see Randi. lie had heard of the fine reputation of this Adventist school and was consider- ing taking his son out of the Chris- tian school. He reminded Randi, however, that he didn't want his son to be taught anything that was not in the Bible. Randi assured him that she taught only that which was in the Bible. If anything was ques- tioned, it was understood that he should stop by to discuss it with Randi. Recently the pastor's son wrote a beautiful paper on the Lord's Sabbath. To this day, the boy's father has never stopped in. "Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus" is the song sung every day for worship. The children study the Bible and Early Writings daily. Geometry, algebra, and Spanish are all part of the curriculum at the New Bern school. Parents have no- ticed when children come from the public school to the Adventist Circle prayer time is a special opportunity for each student to share with the Lord. Volume 85 SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Number 6 June, 1991 Published monthly by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 3978 Memorial Drive, Southern Tidings ■ 3 Decatur, GA 30032. Second-class postage paid at Decatur, Ga., and at additional mailing offices. POST- MASTER: send changes of address to SOUTHERN TIDINGS, P.O. Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031. the Sabbath holy. This, despite the efforts of officers and fellow sol- diers who tried unsuccessfully to Still A Hero get him to throw away his convic- tions and do what was easy. As the story unfolded the Path- finders learned how God protected this man as he faced certain death from withering enemy fire. Accord- ing to some witnesses, he saved 100 soldiers. Desmond insisted it was no more then 50. The official record says 75. Before and after each meeting, dozens of Pathfinders lined up to get an autograph from this special man. Although the flurry of activity may not be as profound as it was on the island of Okinawa in 1945, Desmond and Dorothy Doss have an itinerary that takes them to many local functions and to appointments across the United States. U.S. News and World Report recently produced a six-part tele- vision series that chronicles the true-life stories of Medal of Honor winners. The sequence telling Desmond's story aired nationally on November 11, 1990. In addition to television expo- sure, Desmond and Dorothy have • traveled to places like Fort Sam • Houston at San Antonio, Texas, • for a ceremony honoring the 10 medics who have been awarded the Medal of honor. Doss was presented a Distinguished Membership in the United States Army Medical Depart- Desmond T. Doss. This picture was in the Signs of the Times, July, 1990. ment Regiment for his contribu- tions of regimental continuity, tra- dition, and Esprit de Corp. by Don Livesay Desmond Doss is a hero because, On June 10, 1990, the governor during April and May of 1945, he of Georgia, Joe Frank Harris, spoke few weeks ago I was privi- was credited with saving 75 at the opening of the Desmond T. leged to attend the Gym- wounded soldiers during the battle Doss Medal of Honor highway near Master program at South- of Okinawa. His faith in God, his Chattanooga, Tennessee. Governor ern College. The entire consistent selfless actions which Harris identified Desmond as a Aprogram was terrific but I was re- continuously exposed him to life- conscientious objector and said ally impressed with the patriotic threatening situations, and an that "he didn't mind dying for his theme that started the program. amazing ability to endure hardships country, but he didn't want to kill." The music, the narration, and the earned him the Congressional Medal These appointments along with flag waving reminded me of one of honor, our nation's highest parades, military ceremonies, and of the great patriots of the Sev- honor. Only two solders in the many other events keep Desmond en th-d ay Adventist Church, history of the United States of and Dorothy Doss quite busy. Desmond Doss. America have earned this honor Despite a number of health prob- I grew up hearing of Desmond while serving their country as con- lems, the Dosses still represent Doss. He was a hero. Someone scientious objectors. You see, their church with the dignity and who not only stood for what he Desmond wanted to serve his honor that has exemplified their believed in, but also followed country, but did not want to take service to God and country.