This school year, God has been moving powerfully among students from Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools — comprised of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy.
WWVAS is a faith-filled learning environment that empowers students and fosters connections with Christ. For these students, what began through weekends of worship, Bible classes, friendships and spiritual reflection quickly became something deeper. As speakers called young people to respond to Christ’s love, enthusiastic hands went up across the room.
Each year, WWVA students attend Oregon Conference Bible Camp and Rogers junior high students attend Upper Columbia Conference's 7-Up Retreat at Camp MiVoden. At these spiritual retreats, multiple students made life-changing decisions to give their hearts to Jesus through baptism.
Faculty members shared that the authenticity of the students’ decisions stood out the most. “These weren’t emotional, momentary responses,” one teacher reflected. “Students were asking deep questions and thoughtfully choosing Jesus.”
In the days that followed, several students formally requested baptism. For some, it was a culmination of years of Adventist education and spiritual nurturing at home. For others, it marked a new and personal decision to openly claim their faith as their own.
Some students wanted to be baptized immediately upon making their decisions at the retreats but were also eager for their families to be present. Teachers and administrators didn’t want to delay, so in a beautiful and personal celebration, some students were baptized in a special ceremony held in a family’s swimming pool the following weekend.
Surrounded by classmates, teachers, pastors and family members, each student publicly declared their commitment to Christ. The setting may have been simple, but the moment was profound. Gathered around a small pool, smiles, tears, songs of praise and prayers of dedication filled the air as young people took an important step in their spiritual journey.
“We praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our young people,” said Scott Rae, WWVA principal.
Learn more about WWVAS at valleyadventistschools.org.
Schools from across UCC gather for 7-Up Spiritual Retreat.
Credit: Daniel Grigoryan
Scott Rae, WWVA principal, baptizes one of his students.
WWVAS students celebrate after being baptized.
