Hope for the Lit TEACHERS... They're some of God's special people "The great aim of the teacher should be the perfec- tion of Christian character in himself and in his stu- dents. Teachers, let your lamps be trimmed and burning, and they will not only be lights to your stu- dents, but will send out clear and distinct rays to the homes and neighborhoods where your students live, MAX A. TREVINO and far beyond into the moral darkness of the imparting Christian values world." Counsels to Parents, Teacher and Students, p. 68 to students whose parents or guardians don't always uphold those values them- Recently I visited my wife, others need motivation. school came from a home selves. Betty, in her classroom at How does a teacher where parents have trained Teachers have the Burton Adventist Academy. know just what to say and them well, where discipline sacred privilege of repre- As I was talking with her, I do in every circumstance? is consistent yet done in senting Christ before their became aware once again Dealing with academics love, where children are students, Ellen G. White of all the energy contained may not be that difficult, taught respect, honesty, tells us. What an awesome in that classroom-27 lively but knowing how to pre- purity and a love of God. responsibility! That's why third graders. And I won- sent the material to each But sad to say, this is not I'm thankful for our godly dered, How does she do it? child so that they will always the case, even in teachers in the South- Where does she find the understand and grasp it Christian homes. western Union — teachers strength and the patience requires special skill. For Unfortunately, many parents who accept the challenge and the wisdom to con- six to seven hours a day, don't know how or don't to instill and reinforce structively direct these bun- students come under the try to establish and main- Christian values in their stu- dles of energy so that learn- influence of their teachers. tain a Christian home, dents. This, coupled with ing can take place? And How wise they must be, because they themselves their work of imparting even more importantly, how controlled, how tactful were not reared in a home knowledge and a thirst for how can she do all that and and gracious, under all cir- that practiced Christian divine wisdom, helps assure nurture their spiritual cumstances. standards of right and the child's success in the development as well? The task would be less wrong.This means our future and a home in heav- Every one of our teach- difficult if every child teachers and schools face a en. May God bless each of ers faces these same chal- attending an Adventist double challenge—that of our teachers. lenges. I still don't under- stand how they do it, but I'm thankful that God has gifted them with the ability to handle the tremendous challenges inherent in every classroom full of stu- dents. Just think of the stu- dents' varying backgrounds: some come from well-disci- plined homes while others come from dysfunctional homes; some have pleasing personalities while others exhibit annoying or even disruptive behavior; some seem to love learning while Betty Trevino's 1997-98 third grade class. NUT NI OM Shreveport Times photographer, Roger Coley, took this photo of Evalyn Young in her one-teacher school room in Minden when staff writer Benjamin Arnold paid a visit to the school. Vol. 97, No. 7. The Southwestern Union Record is a monthly publication for the Seventh-day Adventist churches of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas published at the headquarters office of the Southwestern Union Conference, Box 4000, 777 South Burleson Boulevard, Burleson, Texas 76097. Subscription price is $10. 2 RECORD / July 1998 A gift for the moment or a gift of a lifetime-- What will it be? Economists have predicted that if all of the wealth in America were equally distributed to all Americans, within a few months, or at most a few years, much of the wealth would be held by just a few—those who have used it wisely. Over the years missionaries because we have read His lifestyle that includes all have learned it is better to word and appreciate the amenities except maybe teach the people of impov- value of the gift. If salvation providing a Christian edu- erished countries to grow were "dumped" on us like a cation for their young. The greatest material Marvin Anderson, D.B.A. their own food instead of lucky lottery number we President giving them food.Tabloid might not be grateful but gift a parent can give a Southwestern Adventist TV has featured stories of only wasteful of the gift. child is not a late model car University people who have won the What Jesus has offered us is or the newest sound equip- lottery but who within a true education—education ment, but rather an educa- family, support the church, short period of time have through the written word, tion—a Christian education and, yes, even possibly give lost it all. Other stories by experience and prayer, where they learn to under- aid to their parents in their abound of people who by exchanging testimonies stand and appreciate the time of need. When you have been cheated out of with other believers, and ways of God and integrate consider that even a "cheap their inheritance either by through songs and ser- those principles into their new car" costs more than remarriage, lawsuits, bank- mons. God's laws, including daily living. In a society two years' tuition for col- ruptcy or unscrupulous nature, make sense when where moral values have lege, how could anyone individuals. I'm reminided we are educated to under- disintegrated, leaving our equate an education that of the adage that it is better stand His ways. youth to flounder in an lasts a lifetime with the to teach one to fish than to In olden days to sustain uncharted course, what bet- value of a used car that simply give him the fish. the youth through life they ter way can parents invest might last four years? A What, then, is the safest, were given cattle, land and their money than to put it sound Christian education most lasting gift you can family heirlooms.Today in into an education that lasts is possibly the number one give someone? The answer our nonagrarian society the a lifetime? bargain purchase of a life- is quite simple. Jesus gave youth are still in need of According to estimates, time. Please, do consider us the gift of salvation, but the tools to sustain them a college degree usually providing your child with it comes only as each one for life. With many family brings in an additional the lasting gift—that of makes the effort to under- units in disarray the young $1,000,000 income over a sending your child to a stand and accept His gift. are "left out in the cold." lifetime.This enables the Christian school, college or Our salvation comes Parents are trapped in a person to support their university. Southwestern graduates 169 in commencement ceremony Following speaker Florence editor of the Keene Star- Littauer's parting words to Reporter and a member of the class of 1998, "Go out the class of 1991, and and dare to dream," 169 stu- Dickie Martin, secretary to dents graduated from the university president. Southwestern Adventist The Thomas and Violet University May 3. Zapara Award for Teaching The university con- Excellence was awarded to ferred honorary doctorates Edith Willis, director of Southwestern's English as a on author/speaker Littauer Second Language program. and on California pastor One student, Danna and radio speaker Douglas Dersch of Shattuck, Okla., Batchelor. Of the degrees graduated summa cum awarded, there were ei ltt laude, which represents a master of education, 2 GPA between 3.9 and 4.0 bachelor of arts, 86 bache- on a 4.0 scale. Six students lor of science, nine bache- graduated magna cum 1998 Southwestern Adventist University graduate Kristin lor of business administra- laude, with GPAs of 3.75 to Netteburg of Silver Spring, Md., hugs her mother, Ronnalee, tion, seven bachelor of 3.89, and nine graduated while her dad, Kermit, North American Division's vice presi- social work and 32 associ- cum laude with GPAs of 3.5 dent for communication, adjusts his boutonniere during ate of science degrees. One to 3.74. senior consecration. of the 169 students One hundred twelve of married.There were three program participants. received two bachelor's the graduates are women; brother-sister combinations Twelve of the graduates degrees. 57 are men.The oldest in the class as well as a had served as student mis- Presidential citations for graduate is 53 and the three-cousin combination. sionaries during their time outstanding service to the youngest baccalaureate Twenty-five students at the university. community and university degree recipient is 20. Fifty- received teacher certifica- Sharon Leach were given to Paul Gnadt, four of the graduates are tion; 21 were adult degree Development Director 3 RECORD /July 1998 111311lli Adventist education: An option or an essential? Have you read a newspaper lately? Almost every day there is a report of some tragedy in America's schools. Who is to blame? The parents? The teachers? The students themselves? How about Adventist education? Is it better? Safer? task of patiently and kind- educating God's children friends? Do you choose ly teaching their children for eternity? Can you, by those who will uplift and the way of the Lord" p.