Tulsa Adventist AcADEMY UpDATE

Tulsa Adventist Academy’s mission is to prepare students for heaven and earth, and this school year began with exciting momentum. We opened with 128 students, the highest enrollment in the last decade. Our aim remains the same as it has been since 1916: to help students grow academically while also growing spiritually. 

TAA’s scripture this year is Matthew 28:19 which reminds us to go and make disciples of all nations. This scripture points to our theme, “Let’s Go,” which is emblazoned on our field t-shirts to witness wherever we go. Additionally, TAA has four core values:  

• Christ Centered ~ Our goal is to be disciples of Christ.  

• Holistic Education ~ We grow in mind, body, and spirit.  

• Family Atmosphere ~ You belong here.  

• Partnership ~ We're on the same team! Let's work together. 

Matthew 28:19 and our core values are demonstrated daily as student families (groups of students in all grades) pray together and engage in community service activities on- and off-campus.  

For example, our students have been practicing discipleship through service by packing meals for the local food bank and for public school students who take backpack meals home on the weekend. This was TAA’s third year to pack meals, and we involved every single student from age four on up! All teachers and staff help in this day-long effort, as well as school board members and volunteers. By serving our community, we embody the values of being holistic and being partners at school and with our neighbors. 

Our annual “Sabbath in the Park” community service event connects these values as students, teachers, staff and TAA families met at a local Tulsa park. The teachers had booths to engage passersby in face painting, engage them in packing “blessing bags” for people who are homeless, distributing water, and offer tables with gratitude cards to write/give, plus enjoy a free lunch sponsored by area Adventist churches. For inspiration, all choirs sing, from PreK-12. This year’s featured speaker was Pastor Israel Mora, our Conference youth director.  

Our students have had a lot of fun outside of academics, also! From the high school campout, visiting the pumpkin patch, attending the Tulsa State Fair, Outdoor School at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center, University Days at Southwestern Adventist University, a “fun day” for reaching a fundraising goal, students attdended the Student Association leadership camp in Texas, and have enjoyed many more celebrations of success.  

TAA has an incredible student body of ethnic diversity, fulfilling John’s writing that God is the “King of all nations,” Revelation 15:3, NLV. Pray that God continues to lead our teachers and staff as we prepare our students for life on earth and for all eternity.  

Written by Caroline Fisher