By Henry R. Moncur III | ACTU Communication
As administrators and teachers across the Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) region prepare to return to school, a special prayer service, the Oasis of Prayer, will set the tone for a school year rooted in Christ. This gathering, to be held virtually on Friday, September 12, 2025, ensures that educators across the region can worship together regardless of geography, proving that prayer and praise transcend distance.
The event begins at 7:15 p.m. EDT and provides a powerful opportunity to start the school year with prayer, praise, reflection, spiritual renewal, and fellowship.
A Voice of Encouragement
Guest speaker for the occasion is Dwain N. Esmond, associate director and editor of the Ellen G. White Estate Inc. With a distinguished background in Adventist publishing and ministry, Esmond brings theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and encouragement to the event. Drawing from over a decade of editorial leadership, numerous devotional publications, and service in major spiritual initiatives, he underscores Oasis of Prayer as more than an event, but a sanctuary where teachers can realign with their calling and remember that their work is anchored in something far greater than curriculum or assessments.
A Call for Unity in Mission
Reflecting on the sentiment behind this worship service, Cheryl Rolle, ATCU executive secretary and education director, states, “As teachers step into classrooms once again, we want them to lift their voices in praise and worship, celebrating the calling they have as educators. We will seek guidance and strength from our Lord, asking Him to unite our hearts and minds in carrying out His mission in our classrooms. Oasis of Prayer reminds educators that their mission is spiritual as much as it is academic and that prayer fuels both the heart and the classroom for the year ahead.”
Her words resonate deeply with the event’s central theme, “Hearts and Minds United in Christ.” This theme highlights the importance of teachers working together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to not only transfer knowledge but also lovingly nurture students into a saving relationship with Christ.
A Time of Spiritual Renewal
This year’s Oasis of Prayer arrives at a pivotal moment. While schools are reopening with a sense of normalcy, the reality is that the educational landscape has changed. Teachers continue to face evolving challenges—teacher burnout, technological shifts, increased social and emotional pressures among students, and the lingering effects of spiritual fatigue. Against this backdrop, the Oasis serves as a timely reminder that educators cannot carry these responsibilities alone.
The worship experience offers a space for spiritual renewal, allowing teachers to pause, refocus, and draw strength for the months ahead. It also fosters community, bringing educators together to pray, praise God, and encourage each other, as they are reminded that they are part of a larger mission. Most importantly, it highlights the focus of Adventist education, affirming that teaching is not only about the transfer of knowledge but also about shaping character, nurturing the heart, and preparing students for a life of service both in this world and the world to come. By grounding the school year in Christ, teachers are better equipped to meet their calling with grace and faith.
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.