As the 2023–2024 school year was ending, Aubrey Fautheree, Skagit Adventist Academy principal, knew that the school urgently needed an answer to prayer.
“We had been making prayer an important part of the school year,” said Fautheree. During the previous school year, SAA worked with an organization that aimed to increase school enrollment. As a result, the school budgeted for an increased student population for the 2023–2024 school year.
Unfortunately, the increase did not happen as planned and there was a decrease of about 10 students. “So, we were 25 students short,” added Fautheree.
Around February 2024, Fautheree felt a strong conviction to take this matter to prayer. Inspired by Pavel Goia’s talks at a prayer conference and his reading of Debleaire Snell’s book, Get Unrealistic, Fautheree challenged the school board and staff to join in 40 days of prayer.
Trusting that God would answer their prayers for financial sustenance, the group continued praying beyond the 40 days until the end of the school year. “We just laid the school before the Lord and said, ‘Look, this is Yours. You take care of it,’” said Fautheree.
Throughout this process, Fautheree also prayed with conference administrators and let them know of the school’s financial needs. It was estimated that SAA would be about $80,000 short.
On Aug. 20, 2024, the prayers were answered. Fautheree was scheduled to have a routine prayer visit with the conference treasurer, but instead he was visited by the administration team.
To his surprise, they handed him a check for the exact amount the school needed. It was the first check of a larger amount that had been designated to SAA from a matured will. A generous donor had chosen the school to be a beneficiary. Unbeknownst to Fautheree, while he and others were still praying for a miracle, God had already chosen the way to provide for that need.
“What a blessing it is that people value Adventist education and are willing to support it,” said Fautheree. Through this generous donation, SAA can continue to operate and continue its mission of educating children for eternity.
Regarding this prayer experience at SAA, Fautheree added, “This is not our battle. This is not. This is His school. We get to come alongside and allow Him to work. We serve a big God. He’s capable and not limited.”
For more information about how you too can bless God’s work through planned giving, visit washingtonconference.org/giving.
SAA Beginner Strings group performs.
SAA teachers smile on campus.
SAA students enjoy playing on the playground equipment.
A group of SAA students poses for a picture in the play area.
