A historic gathering has sparked fresh energy for Adventist education in the East Mediterranean Region (EMR).
Educators in the East Mediterranean Region (EMR) marked the start of the school year by uniting around a forward-looking vision for Adventist education. Over 50 teachers, staff, administrators, and guest speakers met under the theme One Mission, Many Classrooms for the first EMR teachers’ convention in more than 20 years, held August 19–22 in Dhour Choueir, Lebanon.”
The event strengthened teachers’ ties with the global Adventist education system through presentations by four leaders from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dr. Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Director of Education at the GC, highlighted what makes an Adventist school distinctively Adventist; Dr. Iván Omaña, Director/Endorser of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries and President of the Adventist Chaplaincy Institute, offered guidance on integrating the Bible across the curriculum and strengthening school chaplaincy; Pr. Busi Khumalo, Director of Adventist Youth Ministries, outlined ways to measure spiritual impact and deepen student engagement through Pathfinders; and Dr. Juvenal Balisasa, Associate Director for Education, presented Christ-centered classroom management strategies. Participants were also inspired by morning devotionals led by Pr. Amir Ghali, MENA National Leadership Development.
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Elias Choufani, principal of the Adventist School Mouseitbeh, highlighted five key components that contributed to its success: space for spiritual renewal and encouragement; diverse workshops offering valuable professional development; opportunities for networking and collaboration across grade levels, settings, and regions; an emphasis on holistic education that cultivates integrity, compassion, and hope in students; and cultural contextualization that addressed the unique economic, social, and political pressures teachers face in this region so that, in Dr. Choufani’s words, “Adventist education can remain relevant, resilient, and faithful” in our context.
Darron Boyd, EMR president, cast the vision for the event and organized it with the support of Candace Iseminger, MENA Education Department director. “We realized that if we want to truly maximize the potential of our schools to make a difference, we need to pull together,” he said. For Adventist Learning Center (ALC) teacher Raluca Khoueiry, the highlight of the convention was exactly that: “...being all together in unity, having the same purpose as we help students not only learn, but also grow closer to God.”
“Our schools and learning centers hold tremendous potential for making a lasting difference,” says Darron Boyd. EMR Adventist schools are unique in their diversity of students, for example, one of our schools serves over 550 students, none of whom share our faith.
For many, the convention renewed the vision of education’s higher calling—to restore in students the image of the Creator. As ALC teacher, Michael Agyemang expressed, “I want to always remind myself that the work of education is equal to redemption—I don’t teach only for grades, but to introduce Jesus to students and help them grow spiritually.
The EMR team is already at work planning for the next convention and is working on a five year plan that includes working more closely with other stakeholders like the Middle East University (MEU) department of education.
Let us pray: Gentle Shepherd, guide and provide for the teachers and students in Adventist schools–not only here in MENA, but around the world–so that they may know you, the source of all knowledge and truth.