Contributed
Mount Pisgah Academy (MPA) in Candler, N.C., is dedicated to providing the youth of the Carolina Conference — and beyond — excellence in education. This school, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, serves as a safe, friendly environment where students can develop socially, and it provides opportunities for them to nurture a healthy work ethic. “Jesus lives at MPA” is the campus theme, which demonstrates the commitment of the faculty and staff to helping young people cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their lifelong companion.
Each MPA student is extended the opportunity to participate in the compassionate mission of the Church in multiple corners of the world. Every Friday is a service day, and the different classes take turns ministering to the surrounding community. Students can also go on mission trips overseas — recent trips have been to the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Peru, Honduras, and Lesotho in Southern Africa — as well as fulfill the Gospel commission in the United States at places such as La Vida Mission in New Mexico.
Seventh-day Adventist education is a top priority in the Carolina Conference. Recently, a strategic planning committee was formed to prioritize capital needs on the MPA campus, such as added security and safety measures, and maintenance and improvement of the campus’ aesthetic beauty. In addition, the Conference has partnered with the Philanthropic Services Institute to add a full-time business development director to the MPA staff. This individual facilitates the application for educational grants, promotes Touch a Life at MPA as the signature student financial assistance initiative, and assists the strategic planning committee with major campaign enterprises. Just a few weeks ago, MPA was the recipient of a Versacare grant for $10,000, and two other donors have pledged $5,000 each. Also, Adventist Health Systems, Inc. (AHS) will add MPA to its list of qualifying academies this year, which enables MPA to apply for AHS’s major Adventist academy grant program initiative.
MPA is poised to experience some significant changes in the future. Change is sometimes viewed in a negative context, although change can create the climate for something new, fresh, and revitalizing. The Conference personnel committee, the MPA Board, and the K-12 Board of Education are fully engaged in reviewing and finalizing some recommendations for new leadership and staffing to provide young people the finest in Adventist educational service. On the financial side, the sale of Carolina Adventist Retirement Systems (CARS) has increased the MPA endowment fund this year by almost 900 percent. This fund will yield a steady, sustainable revenue stream for student assistance and capital improvement for the Academy.
Challenges arise because there is an enemy on Earth to contend with every day. However, the promise is sure: “…the one Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world,” 1 John 4:4, NIV. The Conference leadership holds fast to this promise as they seek God’s leading and blessing for the coming school year and beyond. MPA exists to guide young people into a life of service to others, and to instill a heartfelt desire in every student to continue reaching people for Christ until He comes again. This is the mission upheld by every individual who invests in Seventh-day Adventist education.
Carolina | June 2018
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