The Eternal Impact of Christian Education
True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man
As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about nurturing a relationship with God and preparing for His kingdom. Ellen G. White, one of the founders of our faith, emphasized the significance of Christian education in the statement above.
Seventh-day Adventist education is rooted in the belief that God is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). This fear does not imply dread but rather awe and reverence for our Creator, acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life, including education.
Education is not limited to formal schooling but encompasses all aspects of life, including the home, the church, and the community. As Seventh-day Adventists, we emphasize the importance of wholistic education, which nurtures the physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of a person. This holistic approach is based on the belief that human beings are created in the image of God and that education should reflect this divine image in every aspect of life.
Another key aspect of Adventist education is the integration of faith and learning, which enables students to see the world through the lens of Scripture and to apply biblical principles to all areas of life. We believe that all truth is God's truth and that education should seek to uncover this truth in every discipline.
Adventist education is also the development of character. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV). We seek to instill in students the values of integrity, compassion, and service, preparing them to be responsible citizens of both earth and eternity. This means not only equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for this life but also nurturing a relationship with God that will last forever.
As we seek to educate our children and ourselves, let us remember the words of Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (NKJV).
A message from Ed Keyes, President of Arizona Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
THUNDERBIRD COMMERCE PARK
By Jeff Rogers
The property in North Scottsdale that comprises Thunderbird Adventist Academy and the Arizona Conference office has a lot of history. It is a history that both evokes happy memories of a bygone era and frustration for what many have perceived as unfulfilled potential. In 1953, the Arizona Conference purchased nearly 800 acres that included an airfield, a military base and desert ranch land. The purpose of the purchase was to move Arizona Academy from what is now downtown Phoenix to a more rural setting in Scottsdale. The school was renamed Thunderbird Adventist Academy after the name of the airfield and aviation became a central component of education for Thunderbird.
Through the decades the property would transform from an airfield to an industrial park.
Through the decades the property would transform from an airfield to an industrial park. Property surrounding the airfield would eventually become property of the city of Scottsdale and the sale of other pieces of property would fund the development of an industrial park on the north side of the property.
Throughout this time, the city of Scottsdale grew from a small ranching community to an affluent urban resort setting. For years the value of the property has been debated among small groups of alumni and school administrators. Periodically, official discussions would take place at conference committees and constituency meetings. The Arizona Conference eventually took over the management of the industrial park and used the majority of the revenue to assist Thunderbird Adventist Academy in its mission of Adventist education.
At the 2016 Arizona Conference Constituency Session, delegates authorized the conference administration to proceed with a ground lease option for developing the industrial park. The intent was to increase revenue streams for the academy. Wanting to make the best decision possible for the property, the Arizona Conference Property Acquisition & Development Advisory Committee (PADAC) began analyzing how the 70+ acres of the Scottsdale property could be best used to support the mission of TAA and the Arizona Conference.
Further complicating the situation, Maricopa County began assessing property taxes on the industrial portion of the property in 2017. This decreased income from the property by $250,000 in order to cover the annual taxes. Added to the increasing costs of managing the property, the committee sought viable options to increase income for Thunderbird Adventist Academy.
The committee began work by setting a mission and vision for the project as well as identifying non-negotiables for the use of the property. Because of the complexity of the location of the property, the legal issues surrounding the usage of the property and a desire to seek counsel from experts, the committee hired three consultants. Thomas Halter of Gust Rosenfeld was hired to be legal counsel; Don Pursley, who had been the CFO of Union College and then Loma Linda University, was hired to be a financial analys; and Mark Winkleman of MSG Realty Partners and former Arizona State Land Commissioner was hired to be a consultant on property analysis and assist in negotiations with prospective realty partners.
Initially, commercial development was determined to be the most lucrative option for the property. In 2019, Ryan Companies and the Arizona Conference signed an interim agreement to begin work on rezoning the land for commercial development. In January 2020, representatives from Ryan Companies gave notice that they were not going to sign a long-term lease agreement. They had already invested over $300,000 in fees and expenses for the property. They graciously did not require the Arizona Conference to reimburse for any of those expenses. Less than two months later, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused commercial development to grind to a halt. Office park vacancies rose and market value fell. What had initially seemed to be a set-back turned into a blessing.
Since the rezoning was not complete, the Arizona Conference Corporation Executive Committee authorized conference administration to complete the application process. In November 2020, the Scottsdale City Council approved the rezoning application.
PADAC Mission
- Reach as many students as possible with Adventist Christian education
- Generate funds to endow and keep providing more affordable Adventist education
- Keep our health message and evangelistic focus
PADAC Vision
To educate and train as many students as possible in an Adventist Christian school that is financially viable, effective, mission focused and spiritually dynamic in the Arizona Conference.
After nearly a year of reviewing proposals and negotiating financials, the Arizona Conference signed a long-term ground lease agreement with Creation Equity and LGE in 2022. Their proposal addressed only the industrial park portion of the property and would not affect the TAA academic campus, campus housing or the Arizona Conference office. The financial plan would eventually double the revenue that was previously earned from the industrial park. Lease payments began in November 2022 and the planning for a flex industrial complex began. Relocation of the TAA maintenance building was completed by Thanksgiving 2023, necessitating a new structure for that facility.
Demolition of the old industrial park began in earnest in December 2023 and a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Thunderbird Commerce Park was held on February 8, 2024. In speaking of the flex industrial complex they are developing, Grant Kingdon, the principal developer with Creation Equity, said, “This is a unique site which necessitates careful coordination between our organizations and the church and school have been excellent development partners.”
The plans for the commerce park include the largest spec industrial building ever built in the Scottsdale Airpark. “This will add desperately needed inventory to a submarket that is starved for new inventory to accommodate businesses looking for a home in Scottsdale,” said Kingdon.
