Jose Briones – Denver, Colorado … What makes Adventist education truly valuable? In the latest episode of the Rocky Mountain Conference’s (RMC) Living Generously podcast, guest host Melissa Briones dives into this question with Paul Negrete, the RMC Education associate superintendent.
Melissa Briones, an educator with deep roots in Adventist schooling, shares her experience within the system. Growing up near Glendale, California, she attended Crescenta Valley Adventist School and Glendale Adventist Academy before moving on to Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, to become a teacher. Throughout her time as a teacher in Adventist schools, Melissa noticed that parents and church members often focused on the financial aspects and the cost of private education.
Negrete addresses the perceived financial burden of Adventist education, highlighting its true worth beyond monetary terms. He emphasizes the integral role it plays in society and personal development. “Education has high value because what would we do without it?” he asks, underlining how Adventist education uniquely fosters spiritual growth through an integrated approach.
Discussing parents’ dual ambitions for their children—spirituality and academic excellence—Negrete argues that Adventist education can indeed facilitate “earthly success” by cultivating character through belief and relational development. He points out that Adventist schools offer unique advantages like mentorship and a connected community, often proving more beneficial than traditional public education systems.
The conversation also delves into the importance of financial generosity and sustainable support for Adventist schools. Negrete stresses that creating stronger connections between churches and schools requires viewing investment in education as a long-term strategy rather than a mere expense. He passionately advocates for church members to take ownership and invest both financially and personally in Adventist education to ensure its future success.
As the episode concludes, Negrete challenges listeners to view Adventist education as a powerful evangelistic tool with “180 days of evangelism per year.” This episode encapsulates the myriad ways Adventist education nurtures academic and spiritual growth, fostering a lifelong commitment to generosity and service.
We invite you to explore the full discussion on RMC’s Living Generously podcast for an in-depth understanding of these perspectives. Don’t forget to share the podcast and leave a review to support ongoing conversations about living a generous life.
CLICK HERE to listen to the full episode, and CLICK HERE to see the full list of previous and future series episodes. To listen to the full podcasts on YouTube, CLICK HERE.
—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo by CDC of Unsplash.
