On March 19 and 20, the leadership of Weimar Center of Health & Education and Amazing Facts came together for another insightful education summit led by Dr. Neil Nedley, president of Weimar.
Along with staff from Weimar Academy, College, and the NEWSTART program, leaders in Adventist education from across the nation also joined in this effort to develop the guiding principles of our school’s operations and determine the courses to be offered this fall. The emphasis of this important gathering was to prayerfully create a school model that biblically applies all of God’s wisdom found in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.
The Great Purpose of Weimar Education
The summit opened with a moving devotional, led by Don Mackintosh, about the school of the prophets as recorded in Scripture and expanded upon in the writings of Ellen White. She writes that as we near the end of time, our “youth are to be encouraged to attend our schools, which should become more and more like the schools of the prophets” (CG 329).
Two important questions, posed by Dr. Randall Siebold, were then presented to the panel: Why should Weimar College and Academy exist? What will be their unique contribution within the wider context of Adventist education?
The answers to these fundamental questions emerged as the more than 20 participants carefully considered Weimar’s current model and positioning and Dr. Nedley’s vision for its future. For the panel, it’s clear that Weimar exists because world chaos speaks clearly of the urgent need for gospel-medical missionaries. Weimar’s unique contribution will be a restored model of education that raises up Adventist ambassadors who can lead people everywhere to be part of the remnant church.
Dr. Nedley then shared his vision of what Weimar will look like in five years, but he first reminded participants, “We are to live as if the Lord would come today, but to plan as though His coming could be delayed.” Nedley also underlined the need to not only train evangelistically oriented pastors, but that our physicians, nurses, and other health professionals should be trained as soul winners too.
Dr. Nedley’s vision for the future of education and medical mission work, which can be developed here, was gripping, urgent, and thrilling. And his plans for the expansion of NEWSTART and the development of a lifestyle-based cancer treatment center will bring even more people from around the world to Weimar, opening doors and offering eternal hope to otherwise suffering souls.
Ultimately, unmovable faith, determined effort, careful planning, and God’s blessings will be the bedrock for making this all a reality—and the staff of Weimar’s schools are deeply committed to it.
A Guiding Mission Statement
The summit’s participants were able to synthesize the vision and expectations of the education program with the following mission statement: “The purpose of the Weimar Schools (Academy, College) is to offer Adventist evangelistic education that is spiritually, practically, and academically excellent.”
To launch this education-centered purpose, the team determined to establish curriculum for what is called the “core of four” at the Weimar Academy and College:
Evangelism – through an ongoing synergistic relationship with Amazing Facts
Education – through courses and classes offered at the college and academy
Work / Industry – where both staff and students work together in practical physical labor
Health – through integration with NEWSTART and other expanded health programs
Faculty and students are to be accepted on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to sharing the Adventist message and being fully involved in the core of four. Applicants who show an evangelistic commitment but have not attended an evangelism school will be able to take a special health evangelism course and practicum that will prepare them to make their pre-med degree a foundation to become a soul-winning healthcare workers.
Weimar will also strive to seek students who want to dig deeply into God’s Word and to learn while fulfilling the great commission. Please pray that our education program will be a bright center of hope and learning in this last-day thrust for health evangelism.
Programs Scheduled for this Fall
The curriculum available to students in the autumn semester includes courses in religion/evangelism, science, and general education. Specifics include:
1. Religion/Evangelism:
A one-year certificate in pastoral ministry, with an evangelistic focus
An AA in evangelism
A BA in religious studies, with an evangelistic focus
2. Science:
AS in health science
Pre-med courses leading to a Med. Tech degree and preparation for the MCAT exam and medical school
Pre-nursing courses leading to acceptance in a school of nursing
A two-semester health evangelism course (including training in massage/ hydrotherapy, as well as the use of natural remedies, etc.)
Short-term intensives in specific areas such as natural remedies, witnessing to hospital patients and staff, how to effectively prepare and present Depression Recovery, Reversing Diabetes, and other programs
3. General education:
AA in general education
A selection of general education subjects
Additional courses in media, communication, and graphic arts (with Amazing Facts collaboration)
Finally, the four-month Amazing Facts College of Evangelism (AFCOE) course will continue to be offered on the Weimar campus twice a year, providing a valuable opportunity for synergy and fellowship between AFCOE and Weimar College students. Weimar will also further develop music opportunities in choir and orchestral fields.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending Weimar or AFCOE, applications can now be made for all three schools at www.weimar.org, where you can also find catalogs for each school.
Important Dates:
College
Aug. 16,17 - Registration
Aug. 18 - Orientation
Aug. 19 - Classes start
Academy
Aug. 23 - Registration (subject to chang by one week)
Aug. 24 - Classes start
AFCOE:
August 13 - Registration
Aug. 14 - Classes start