What is a Seventh – Day Adventist?
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church began in the 1800s during the Second Great Awakening, a time of religious revival in the United States. The first members of the church came from the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian Connection denominations. Over the following decades, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown to become its own unique domination, today having over 20 million members worldwide. The SDA Church is well known globally for its excellence in healthcare, education, and human service activities.
The name Seventh-day Adventist refers to the church’s two core beliefs. Respecting the fourth commandment, Adventists worship on Saturday, the Seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. The word Adventist refers to Jesus Christ’s promise to return and take his followers home to heaven. Adventists believe in the future advent, or return, of Jesus. You can find out more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church at https://www.adventist.org/beliefs.
Adventist Education
The first known church school for Seventh-day Adventists was opened in 1853 by teacher Martha Byington in Buck’s Bridge, NY. The school started in the parlor of a church member’s home with 17 students, ages 2 – 14.
Today, you will find Adventist schools in nearly 150 countries, from preschools to graduate schools. With thousands of teachers, over a million students, and over 8,000 schools, the Adventist school system is one of the largest Christian educational systems in the world. To learn more about Adventist Education, visit https://adventisteducation.org.
Our Local Church
Mount Vernon SDA Elementary School is supported by a local Seventh-day Adventist church in Knox County, the Mount Vernon Hill SDA Church. MVE students and staff members attend this church regularly and our entire school participates in the church service during the school year. If you would like to learn more about our church, please visit their website or Facebook page, attend a service in person, or watch their service online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have to be a Seventh – day Adventist to attend Mount Vernon SDA Elementary School?
A: Absolutely not! We do believe that you and your child will gain the most benefit from Adventist education if you are a Christian or at least sympathetic with Christian beliefs. However, our school is available for any child regardless of their religious background or faith.
Q: Will MVE try to turn my child into a Seventh-day Adventist?
A: No as well! At MVE, students’ freedom to think for themselves is respected and nurtured, and students are encouraged to learn how to make good moral decisions regardless of their beliefs. One key Adventist principle is that no one should be pressured into church membership, but join willingly as they choose. Children of Adventist parents even become baptized members only when they are old enough to make the decision consciously and responsibly.