The International Student Bible Academy (ISBA) of the World Mission Society Church of God participated in the “2023 Academic Opening Ceremony” for students. ISBA consists of students who are members of the Church of God, ranging from elementary school to high school students. The event was hosted before the new academic school year with the goal to be united as one mind to build the faith of the students and strengthen their spirits through the Word of God.
The event opened with a worship ceremony, where parents and their children kept a gracious worship together, understanding the importance of building their faith and being encouraged to maintain firm faith throughout the school year. After the worship ceremony, they were able to watch various motivating videos from students worldwide, who implemented God’s teaching “be the salt and light of the world” in their school and classrooms. Many young children and teenagers may be hesitant to express their faith or be confident in their beliefs when in school; however, through this event, students were encouraged to share their amazing experiences in the Church of God to their school staff, teachers, and classmates.
We Will Establish ISBA Clubs!
In the videos shown, students shared testimonies of how their school’s Vice President encouraged them to establish a club on campus and spread good deeds and gracious words to other students of the school. In addition, ISBA was able to establish many clubs in schools worldwide to share with their schoolmates the mission of the Church of God: spread the love of Mother to the whole world. Through establishing clubs on campus, ISBA students were able to share with other students and teachers our volunteer services, church events, and how the Church of God has helped their families to be more united.
“It was amazing to see all the videos and how our brothers and sisters are sharing the Word of God, even at school. It inspired me to do the same at my school,” stated ISBA member Donovan Smith.
In addition, ISBA member Matthew Galarza expressed, “Through the ISBA opening ceremony, I was encouraged and was able to overcome the fear of sharing about my church to my fellow students. The ceremony helped me to overcome my fear by remembering Mother’s words of blessing and that as students, we should share God’s love to the student body. In obedience and eagerness to receive blessings from Mother, I overcame and preached to my friends at school.”
Many ISBA members shared the same sentiments through this opening ceremony, expressing that they didn’t want to start this new academic year in the same manner that they did in the previous years. The mission is to start the new school year with overflowing courage, zeal, and passion to fulfill the prophecy of spreading this gospel throughout the whole world, even at their schools.
