“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:11, NKJV).
When I was a child, praise had to be earned, and success seemed just out of reach. I was born with misshaped hips and legs, resulting in my needing to wear braces on my legs. This delayed my ability to walk, and completely canceled any ability to run or ride tricycles until the braces could be removed.
Sending her son to Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) was a hard decision for one single mother, but one that was necessary. Although she didn’t know how she would pay for his tuition, she wanted more for him and his life, so, in faith, she enrolled him. And then prayed. And prayed.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33, KJV).
During my early teenage years, this verse became very special to me. Shortly after my baptism at age 13, my father died, and I was left to navigate life virtually on my own. The local Seventh-day Adventist church became a central part of my life, and I decided to live to please God in all things.
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? For me it means to make God’s priorities mine and to incorporate the principles of His Word in every aspect of my life.
by Burney Culpepper
As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted education throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) team needed to work on our 2020–21 budget. Not knowing what the year would bring, we based our finances on 80 students. And we prayed, knowing that God is faithful.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Richard Becker enjoyed seeing people connect and gather with family, friends and God. This passion fueled his desire to help young people learn and grow at Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg.