It is a chilly fall day as 17 Indiana Academy students quickly slip out of class five minutes early, climb aboard a waiting bus, and begin eating their sack lunches. By their smiles and laughter no one would suspect that several weeks ago they were afraid to witness for Christ.

After a short drive, the students grab their Bibles, identification badges and lesson books, then head into the Cicero Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School. With smiles, ten elementary students find their academy student teachers, settle down in a quiet corner, and begin to study.

It's a typical Tuesday for these students who are part of the volunteer evangelism team at the academy. After a little more than a month of training by Peter Neri, Indiana Conference ministerial director, the students have begun to give Bible studies. The first opportunity to use their witnessing skills came when ten elementary school students expressed a desire to prepare for baptism. Now, despite the academy students' initial fears and busy schedules, they are giving Bible studies as well as continuing to attend a weekly training class.

Indiana Academy student Audrey Heinlein (a junior) said, "I love this program, I even look forward to teaching the students I have every Tuesday—even when I have a 'million' other things to do."

Ivanessa Castillo, another junior at Indiana academy, said, "The reason I wanted to join the group was because I want to spread the message to the world, and God gave me this great opportunity to do so."

The elementary students also enjoy the experience. Eunice Gomez (fourth grade) stated, "My favorite part is when we get to look in the Bible." She likes having a teenager teacher because "sometimes they don't know what a word means, and we learn together."

The academy students are fulfilling a dream God has for them, as shared by Ellen White: "In our schools our youth are to bear burdens for God. They are to receive a thorough training under experienced teachers. They should make the best possible use of their time in study, and put into practice the knowledge acquired" (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 538–539).

Indiana Academy is firmly committed to train youth for Christ. In a few months, after the Bible studies are completed at the elementary school, these confident witnesses from the academy plan to go door to door to find individuals interested in receiving Bible studies.

Kara Kerbs is the religious activities coordinator at Indiana Academy.