Tragedy struck the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Nov. 5, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed and 20 injured in a church shooting. The news spread like wildfire and soon reached a little Adventist boarding academy in Days Creek, Ore.
The news happened to come during Milo Adventist Academy’s week of prayer. Everyone, including the entire sophomore class, was on their knees, praying for those hurt and for those who lost a loved one. During a class meeting later that week, the sophomores decided they wanted to do something, anything, to help the church.
Ideas flowed, people talked, and suggestions were made. Finally the class decided to buy a painting created by Nathan Greene titled The Blessed Hope. It depicted the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and people rising from their graves to meet Him in the sky. It was the perfect gift of encouragement and love. Project Blessed Hope had been born.
Now all they had to do was jump over a few obstacles, one of which was money. After doing some research, students discovered that the painting itself would cost more than $1,500. The frame and shipping would add more than $200.
The class decided the best way to raise the funds was by selling chocolate. Over the next six months, the students sold about 1,200 chocolate bars to fellow students, staff and people in their own hometowns. That earned them enough money to buy the painting and the frame.
The class did something incredible and, to some, impossible. They put their heads together and trusted God to do the rest. They saw people in need, and they acted on it. Today, that same class is proud to say they were used by God to serve others. They are watching for more ways they can make an impact as juniors at Milo.
Samantha Fullmer, Milo Academy junior
Last year’s (2017–18) sophomore class started the project, which they finished this year as juniors.
The Blessed Hope by Nathan Greene.
