By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication
On September 12, 2025, the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) launched the new school year with a virtual Oasis of Prayer, uniting educators from The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, via livestream, under the theme “Hearts and Minds United in Christ.” Administrators, teachers, and support staff all shared in the moment of spiritual dedication, reminding themselves that education in this region is built not only on academics, but on faith and mission.
Understanding the Scale of ATCU Schools and Reach
ATCU serves a membership of over 27,000 individuals spread across 85 churches in its territory. It operates four K-12 schools—Bahamas Academy; Cayman Academy; Grand Bahama Academy; and Maranatha Adventist Academy in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Together, during the 2024-2025 school year, these schools served 1,323 students with about 120 administrators. teachers and staff. The union’s educators carry responsibility not only for academic and spiritual formation, but also for stewardship over a broad regional community, and thus the need to launch the new school year with prayer
Prayer as Essential to Teaching
Cheryl Rolle, ATCU education director, opened the program by welcoming the community of educators and focusing on the indispensable role of prayer in Adventist education. She urged educators to see prayer as the foundation of their daily work. “Prayer is not just a personal practice; it’s an essential part of the teaching experience,” she told participants. “It’s about seeking wisdom, patience, and guidance as we nurture the minds and hearts of our students. Sometimes, God answers with a resounding yes… other times, the answer is no… and often, He asks us to wait. But through it all, He is actively involved in our teaching journey,” said Rolle.
Rolle also shared practical steps for teachers to incorporate prayer into their life and teaching ministry. She encouraged teachers to intentionally weave prayer into their daily rhythm of teaching. She urged them to spend unrushed time with God in personal devotion, taking a quiet moment before each class to pray for their students and the lesson ahead, and to lift up the specific needs of their learners in prayer. She reminded them of the power of opening and closing each class with prayer, not only to strengthen their own connection with Christ but also to help students draw nearer to Him. Finally, she suggested keeping a journal to reflect on how God answers prayers over time, a practice that affirms His faithfulness and deepens trust in His guidance.
Leaders Call for Unity and Dedication
Special prayers were offered by Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, director of Education for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Faye Patterson, education director of the Inter-American Division, who lifted up teachers, administrators, and students and asked for God’s Spirit to guide their teaching and learning.
Patterson highlighted the spiritual purpose of Adventist education, reminding teachers that prayer creates an atmosphere that shapes both character and academics. “When we pray, we are setting the spiritual tone for the year,” she said. “Prayer creates an atmosphere of reverence and dependence on God. United in prayer, we are reminded that we are a spiritual family, reaffirming our mission to restore God’s image in every child,” Patterson said.
A Word of Encouragement
The keynote message came from Dwain Esmond, associate director/editor of the Ellen G. White Estate, who encouraged educators to anchor their hearts in Christ even amid trials. Drawing from John 14:1–3, he spoke directly to the fears and burdens teachers often carry. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Whatever cross you face this year—whether too many students, too few resources, or personal trials—don’t run from it. Take it up and follow Christ. Hearts and minds united in Him will carry you through.”
Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness
The evening also included testimonies from teachers on the frontlines sharing real stories of challenge and triumph. Raquel Elliot of Bahamas Academy shared how prayer sustained her through an assignment that felt beyond her ability. “I prayed for wisdom and patience, even though I felt overwhelmed,” she recalled. “God began to show me new strategies, and my students responded positively. This year, more than half of the class passed their exams.” For her, it was both “a clear answer to prayer and confirmation that this was where God wanted me to be.”
A Charge to Begin the Year in Unity
As the program closed, Rolle offered a final charge for the year ahead. “Together, as educators, we are called by God to nurture not only the minds but also the hearts of students, fostering an environment where faith and knowledge flourish hand in hand. May we continue to support one another in our mission, united in Christ, as we inspire our dear students to grow in wisdom and compassion.”
The Oasis of Prayer affirmed that teaching in the ATCU is more than a profession. It is a sacred calling—one sustained by prayer, strengthened by community, and guided by a shared mission to unite hearts and minds in Christ. As the year unfolds, educators across The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands move forward with hearts and minds anchored in Christ, confident in His guidance.
The ATCU, headquartered in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas, comprises 27,694 members across four fields: the Cayman Islands Conference, the North Bahamas Conference, the South Bahamas Conference, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Conference. Additionally, Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica, is co-owned and operated by both ATCU and the Jamaica Union.