A Place to Belong

Story by Kiona Costello

Students travel from near and far to attend Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), whether it is just across the street or a 10-hour plane ride away. Despite the distance or the number of familiar faces, feelings of loneliness can persist. However, at BMA, those feelings can be transformed with the supportive community in place.

Milhery Jean-Misere (pictured center with his friends) is a three-year BMA student from Philadelphia. He previously attended Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy, a Pre-K to eighth grade school, like several current BMA students. Since Jean-Misere already knew some people on campus, it would be easy to assume that he wouldn’t feel lonely, but loneliness can hit even the ones you would least expect.

Jean-Misere was blessed to find BMA, a school that offers many events to help students adjust and gain a sense of belonging—like dorm retreats, one of Jean-Misere’s most memorable experiences. Dorm retreats occur on specific weekends where students spend spiritual time in separate locations on campus to get closer to their fellow dorm residents and to grow closer to God.

He recalls, “It really made me grow in the dorm and … as a part of the school. It helped me with the loneliness that I was feeling because I was away from my mom.”

Jean-Misere’s experience is the result of much prayer and intention by the BMA staff, including Adam Bially, BMA’s church pastor and academy religion teacher. Bially explains, “At BMA, we aim to train our students in our classes, programs and activities to know Jesus personally through prayer, Bible study and outreach.”

This program intentionally offers students a new perspective on God and themselves through meaningful activities, including themed spiritual weekends, dorm worships, outreach, leadership opportunities through participation in Sabbath programming, and individual Bible studies for interested students.

Before coming to BMA, Jean-Misere felt his spiritual life was “kind of like a routine, like I wasn’t really talking to God. … But once I came here, I felt like I truly learned how to spend time with God. … I feel like I’ve gotten closer to God.” Jean-Misere credits  his roommate and BMA pastors Bially and Tony Gil for this change in his life.

“Kai, my roommate from last year, helped me study the Bible. And pastors Adam and Tony were really kind and helped me understand God’s Word better,” he says. Bially notes, “I have seen Milhery grow in stature, wisdom, knowledge and his relationship with God. The academy benefits in many ways from students like Milhery who allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives on a daily basis.”

Jean-Misere adds, “BMA is a friendly environment where you can grow and learn about Jesus.

While our academic education is preparing us for a job and a future, spiritual education will prepare us for the life to come.”

Regardless of where you are right now—growing, struggling, wanting to grow—visit bma.us to learn more about the BMA experience—a place where you belong.