On May 23, 2025, Lewis County Adventist School marked a momentous occasion: officially celebrating the final payment on its school mortgage with a heartfelt mortgage burning and vespers service.
It was an evening of joy, reflection and unity as students, staff, church members and friends of LCAS gathered to commemorate 14 years of unwavering faith and dedication. Guests were treated to haystacks while enjoying uplifting performances by the LCAS advance band and the LCAS praise team. The celebration was both a look back at an incredible journey and a hopeful glance toward a promising future.
The journey began on May 2, 2011, when Dan Baker, LCAS principal, and Karen Kugel, LCAS school board chair, signed the promissory note to fund construction of a new school building. What followed was a testament to community spirit.
For over a decade, Chehalis Church, Centralia Church and generous donors faithfully supported the vision. A pivotal final gift from Lee Ross Estate made it possible to retire the mortgage. Ross, deeply connected to LCAS through the Partnering for Eternity Scholarship Program, made it his personal mission to lift the financial burden from the churches and support the next generation of learners.
Among the honored guests were David and Tomi Glenn, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their passionate service and leadership in Adventist education. In their honor, the newly established David and Tomi Glenn Endowed Scholarship Fund will continue to support LCAS students for years to come.
Adam Kugel, incoming LCAS school board chair, led a touching story time, inviting members of Chehalis Church and Centralia Church to share fond memories, reminiscing about fundraisers, construction milestones and the shared laughter and challenges along the way.
With the LCAS school board standing proudly, Doug Bing, Washington Conference president, and Daniel Patton, current LCAS school board chair, lit the symbolic fire, officially burning the mortgage. Daniel Murray, LCAS treasurer, presented a ceremonial oversized check to Bing, signifying the final payment — an unforgettable moment that sealed years of dedication with joyful closure.
In his message, Patton shared a powerful story of transformation by highlighting a former student, Grace Lindt, who began at LCAS as a kindergartner from a non-Adventist home. Eleven years later, she stood on stage, sharing how Adventist education led to her decision to be baptized — a living testament to the school's spiritual impact.
The evening concluded with a call to action: a reminder that LCAS is more than just a school; it’s a mission field. Nearly half of its students come from non-Adventist families, making the school a beacon of light and a vital part of the community’s outreach.
As the flames of the burned mortgage crackled, they lit more than just paper; they reignited a shared purpose and a collective commitment to the future of Adventist education.
LCAS praise team performs as part of the celebration.
From left to right: Adam Kugel, Lyvern and Bob Reiswig, Karen Kugel, Dan Baker and Earlene Wohlers host a remembrance of the school construction.
Doug Bing, Washington Conference president, and Daniel Patton, LCAS school board chair, burn LCAS’s mortgage.
Grace Lindt (right) explains how Adventist education led her to be baptized.
