By MHANews — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … “We have such an amazing opportunity to partner together to build something great for the Lord here in Denver,” said Andrew Carpenter, Mile High Academy’s new principal, commenting on the new school year.

MHA’s mission of offering a Christ-centered education for all students, is key to the foundations taught to our young people as they navigate the challenges in today’s world. This, in turn, has placed a strong emphasis on the relationships between MHA and the churches in Denver metro and RMC.

Part of building these relationships were conversations with Hugo Guillen, pastor of Denver South Hispanic and Central Hispanic church, and middle school teacher Christiana Hernández, who discussed opportunities for students in the Hispanic churches to learn about MHA. These meetings culminated in Carpenter being invited to preach at Denver Central Hispanic church.

Carpenter emphasized that one of the most exciting promises God has given us is His promise to come again. He expressed his own excitement about this promise and how he is eager to partner with the local churches, families, and schools to spread the message about salvation and the second coming of Jesus.

The Sabbath experience concluded with MHA opening its campus to the Hispanic churches for vespers, dinner, campus tours, an opportunity to ask questions and an open gym night for fellowship.

“It was encouraging to get together Saturday night and close the Sabbath with Pastor Hugo’s churches,” said Carpenter. “There was so much life and joy as we worshiped, ate, and played together at MHA. We are excited to continue to connect and build relationships with our Denver Adventist Community.”

Mile High Academy continues to work on building stronger, working relationships with our churches and with Rocky Mountain Conference. In the spring, pastors, RMC, and MHA discussed opportunities for all entities, focusing on how to further build the relationship between the school, church, and members. These discussions resulted in a change in MHA’s tuition structure, ensuring that all members of the Seventh-day Adventist church will receive a discounted rate regardless of where they hold church membership.

“We are blessed by the support and relationship growing between MHA, RMC, our pastors and churches,” Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA vice president of finance and development, said. “Through hard work and much prayer, it is our hope that churches will continue to view MHA as a unit in their church ministry.”

As a new school year dawns, MHA will continue to partner with and have a presence in the local churches. Several MHA Sabbaths are being planned where MHA students and staff will participate in the Sabbath program at various Denver-metro churches. Church pastors are welcome on campus to build relationships with students and offer support as needed. Pastor Danial Birai of LifeSource Adventist Fellowship will teach the high school Bible classes and other pastors will assist at various religious events, including MHA’s FOCUS Week.

“I want people to look at MHA and realize that God is here on our campus. He is the center, and we are encouraged by the outpouring of support by our local pastors [as we look for] ways to offer a Christian education for all students. He is coming soon, and it is our mission as a church body and school to support each other as we ready our young people and community to meet Him,” Carpenter expressed.

–MHANews; photos supplied