Staff Meetings Transform Into Testimony Time

Story by Angela Peach

After 44 years in Seventh-day Adventist education, Principal Spencer Hannah decided it was time to try something different in the Spring Valley Academy (SVA) weekly staff meetings. In the past, meetings would begin with a brief devotional thought by Hannah, along with a prayer, before getting into the business at hand. This year, however, Hannah has invited a staff member to share a testimony before each meeting.

“It’s important that we not only work together,” says Hannah, “but that we also worship together. The best way I could think to emphasize that was to encourage everyone to share the story of how God brought them to teaching or working in education.”

Each week, a different staff member—teacher, support staff or administrator—is assigned to open staff meeting with their own response to how God has worked in their life to bring them to SVA.

Leading by example, Hannah began the year by sharing the way God has led in his life and how different events have shaped his faith. Junior High and High School Vice Principal Ken Knudsen immediately followed, providing the staff a window into his walk with God through his family’s involvement in the church, and Elementary Vice Principal Judy Cambigue ended the worship time by sharing how her faith has brought her peace.

“It’s definitely more difficult to present to peers than to a room full of students,” says Lisa Moller, SVA’s high school English teacher who shared her story. “But it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the lessons my Adventist educator parents taught me and how I use their wisdom in my classroom and in my spiritual journey today.”

While there aren’t enough staff meetings in a school year to offer every member the opportunity to share, Hannah is determined to get as many people up front as possible. “I know it makes people nervous,” he says. “Public speaking doesn’t come naturally to me, either. But we all have such different stories, and it’s interesting to hear how God has brought us all to this same place. I hope even those who feel anxious get to experience a blessing in reflecting on God’s calling in their lives.”

Staff say it’s a blessing not only for those sharing but also for the rest who are listening. “It’s the best part of the meeting,” says Hollie Macomber, high school graphic design and photography teacher. “I’ve really appreciated the variety of interpretations to the prompt. We heard from pastors who entered into a different form of ministry—now as teachers—people who have trusted God through adversity and personal trial, and others who never thought they’d end up in education. It’s a good reminder that God uses many kinds of people from many different backgrounds. It puts everything into perspective.”

Hannah adds, “As we share our story with one another, we are not only informing but also inspiring and supporting each other. This is what it really means to be a part of a team.”