So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11–13 NIV
A recent study by the North American Division, in association with the Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities, compared alumni who had attended Adventist colleges and universities in North America with those who had attended non-Adventist institutions. The findings showed clearly that “Adventist higher education significantly strengthens the faith and spiritual commitment of Adventist young adults.” In particular, the percentage of alumni from Adventist colleges who said that the faculty had shaped their spiritual lives was nearly 4.5 times greater than those from non-Adventist institutions.[i]
While a previous post explored what non-educational institutional employees liked about working for a Church organization, this post focuses on educational employees’ answers in the 2023 Institutional Workers’ Survey. The question was open-ended , so respondents could answer in their own words.
Answers fell under two general headings: appreciation at working with people of the same faith and being able to speak about and practice their faith at work and being part of the overall mission of the Church, especially being able to share their faith with their students.
Many workers also expressed what a difference it made to work in a spiritual environment and to be able to keep the Sabbath. Answers included: “The Christian atmosphere is always refreshing”; “I am surrounded by people who are honest”; “The assurance to know that I work where God wants me to be”; “we put God first at the center of all we do”; and “Every worker is a missionary who is preparing for God’s kingdom.”
On the subject of being involved with the Church’s mission, a common theme was employees’ joy in sharing the love of Jesus with students and their families. Answers included: “Being able to help in advancing the mission of the church”; sharing their faith “with the younger generation”; sharing “Jesus to my students”; and “the idea that what I do is somehow linked to building up the Kingdom of God.”
Adventist educational workers’ exudes joy in sharing their faith with their students which reflects through their answers about what they like about working for an Adventist institution. Ellen White writes, “Under a wise instructor the word will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, it will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, giving its brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted” (Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 171). Adventist teachers are exhibiting their commitment to showing our children the “freshness and beauty” of the word of God through their work, and research is proving that it works.
You can access the full report here.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 07/14/2026.
[i] https://www.nadadventist.org/news/adventist-education-forms-faithful-disciples-new-study-highlights-the-church-strengthening-impact-of-adventist-colleges/
