Great Lakes Adventist Academy’s (GLAA) mission is to aid students in becoming responsible, productive, discerning adults with Christ at the center of their lives. Students are given many opportunities to witness and reach out to the community throughout the school year through a variety of activities.

Outreach can happen in small groups or with the entire student body and staff participating, such as our annual leaf rake in the fall. Buses full of staff and students spread out locally to assist the elderly with their lawns. The community is impressed with our young people, and seeing how grateful the residents are gives our students a greater desire to serve.

Throughout the past school year, musical organizations went on tour, sharing God’s love through music. In addition to their music ministry, they helped clean up a youth camp, picked up roadside litter, and raked the yard of an elderly woman.

The GLAA Aerokhanas gymnastics team is another touring group that shares about God through their programs. During a tour to Mount Vernon Academy in Ohio, they put on a Week of Prayer for the students and taught gymnastics. The Aerokhanas also participated in the Listen America tour, sharing in public schools the importance of a drug-free lifestyle.

Another way for students to get involved in outreach at GLAA is through Witnessing Class. This past year, students went with Cedar Lake Church members into the community every Tuesday evening to give Bible studies. One of the Witnessing Class events was a student-organized cooking school. They also hosted a banquet for their Bible study contacts at the end of the year.

A powerful outreach opportunity is our annual Outreach Sabbath. This year 40 students traveled to churches across Michigan to participate in church services. Sabbath afternoon activities also include opportunities for service, such as sunshine bands or card making.

Plans for the 2004–2005 school year are already in place. In addition to all these outreach opportunities, a student-led evangelistic series is going to be held this fall at Central Michigan University, in conjunction with local churches. The student speakers are already preparing for this exciting event.

It is our mission to reach the world with God’s love, one student at a time.

Arlene Leavitt is GLAA's assistant alumni/development director, and Alaina Elder will be a senior at GLAA this fall.