Spiritual emphasis and service go together at Portland Adventist Academy, where God’s Word is made practical by reaching out in love to help others.
Three weeks of prayer were conducted this year. Les Zollbrecht, PAA chaplain, led the first week, which concluded with 25 students signed up to study for baptism. The winter week of prayer was given solely by the students using the theme, “Pure and Holy Passion.” Spring week of prayer was presented by area pastors on the topic, “Armor of God.”
Students planned and presented weeks of prayer at nearby Portland Adventist Elementary, Hood View Jr. Academy, Rivergate Adventist Elementary and Tualatin Valley Jr. Academy. PAA groups put on entire church services in area churches four times this year.
During spring break, PAA students were involved in four mission trips. Student Emily Peterson organized a mission trip to a Peruvian orphanage. In another project called “Pipeline,” 12 PAA students joined the Pleasant Valley (Boring, Ore.) Church helping the Portland homeless, assisting in daycare centers, visiting shut-ins and singing in nursing homes in the greater metropolitan area. As part of a Stone Tower (Portland, Ore.) Church project, three students helped build a church in Mexico. One student was baptized there.
At the same time, a group of 16 students plus adults held a series of evangelistic meetings in the city of Larne, North Ireland. Students performed nightly dramas, led song services and presented musical selections. During the day they did various community service projects, including cleaning up a cemetery and the grounds and exterior of a famed castle. They also painted murals at a children’s center in downtown Belfast.
Each PAA student is required to put in 50 community service hours per year. Chaplain Les Zollbrecht says that though he suggests opportunities for ministry, many students create their own options. An example is John Peter Zenthoefer who volunteers at a community cycling center that collects bike parts, then puts together and repairs bikes for needy kids and adults who don’t have bicycles.
At the daycare center in Belfast, Ireland, PAA students used a parachute in their interaction with the children. From left: Natalie Crosby, pastor Adam Keough, Nari Kirkand a daycare worker.
John Peter Zenthoefer repairs bikes for needy kids.
