Week of Prayer is always a highlight for students at Columbia Adventist Academy, and this year was no exception. From Sept. 8–12, CAA students enjoyed a week full of inspiration and prayer, led by Stephen Eastwood, pastor. Eastwood was born in Australia in 1970 to English parents. Throughout his childhood, he traveled to many countries and eventually attended Newbold College in England where he received a religion degree. (It was also at Newbold where he roomed with CAA's own Matthew Butte.) Eastwood began as a youth pastor, but now is a senior pastor at San Luis Obispo Church in California.
Week of Prayer was a fun variation to a normal school week. In the morning, after the first class, the school got together and took part in the program. There were praise services, prayers and special musical numbers led by the students and faculty. Each morning, Eastwood told students about lies: the lies the devil tells, the lies the church tells, and especially the lies we tell ourselves.
As David Jardin, senior, puts it, "I liked how Pastor Stephen really applied his topics to our lives and made it more personal for us. These are things we often deal with."
Sara Davis, another senior, explains, "He was more real to me because he wasn't afraid to go up there, make mistakes, and then laugh about it with us later."
In addition to speaking up front, Eastwood also went to classrooms and talked with students. Friday evening, the entire student body and parents took part in a corn roast vespers when, by a campfire, Eastwood shared a few more thoughts.
The following day was Family Weekend Sabbath. Band, choir and hand-bell groups performed, and Eastwood shared his concluding thoughts for the week. After the service, students, family and friends were invited to stay for a potluck and a chance to tour the new school building.
As is their tradition, CAA staff members lead the Friday morning praise service.
Marina Jorgenson, senior, sings for Columbia Academy Week of Prayer.
Stephen Eastwood, pastor, packs the week of Sept. 8–12 full of inspiration and prayer for Columbia Academy students.
From Sept. 8–12 students enjoyed a week full of inspiration and prayer led by Stephen Eastwood, pastor.
