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Mandeville, Manchester: In times of old, many children were expected to attend Christian schools, at least at the primary level, especially as many institutions were aligned to religious denominations; but over the years, this practice has changed and several other factors come into play when parents choose the schools they wish their children to attend. Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica delivers the Divine service message. (photos by Nigel Coke) However, president of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU), Pastor Everett Brown, has cited a Christian education to be most ideal and has recommended it as the first choice for Seventh-day Adventist children. "If education is invaluable to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, just like evangelism or health ministries, then we must support it, and that support is also a support for those who serve and provide leadership in the education system." Pastor Brown was the main speaker at the launch of the Year of Adventist Christian Education at the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, January 21, 2017. He highlighted the importance of having children becoming academically inclined, but more so, spiritually rounded, noting that the work of redemption and the work of education are one, and that to know God, and to have an awareness of the love of God is the essence of Adventist Christian education.   BACK TO BASICS "We must get back to basics,” Brown exclaimed. "Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world. The leadership of the church must encourage members to instruct their children to love God and to know God and to embrace the principles of God. The church and the schools are just support systems in place to prepare our children in time for eternity. Education is not just about transmitting information so they can pass exams; education for us, as a church, is life. It is about integrating academics with the spiritual.” “If you expose your children to world views that will in the end allow them to think that God is not creator, then in that very act, parents, you are rebelling against God. We must not fail God or our children; we must prepare them for the second advent of Jesus and for being saved in God's kingdom," Brown added. He further called on the parents to ensure they carry out their duties in directing their children on to the right path. In his comments on the Year of Adventist Christian Education, Pastor Michael Henry, Education Director of JAMU said: “Over time we have noticed that the importance that should have been attached by the church to Adventist Christian Education has declined and this is reflected the level of support shown for our schools. It is hoped that during the year of celebrations we will see a church that is re-sensitized to the importance of this critical area of Adventism and hope that most of our children will benefit from the exposure.” One of the plans for the celebrations during the year include the recognition of the work and worth of our teachers as part of the overall celebrations of the which has also been dubbed Year of the Adventist Worker. Other activities for the year include an all-island teachers’ convention, the launch of the Organization of Adventist Teachers, and a special education summit in May, which is celebrated annually as Education Month. Also, In November there will be an inter-school extravaganza involving all Adventist educational institutions in various sporting, talent and academic activities. Activities for the Launch also included presentations, a panel discussion and inspirational singing by students from some of the church’s 19 preparatory and 8 High Schools across Jamaica. Administrators of our flagship educational institution, Northern Caribbean University (NCU) also participated.