Over the past couple of years, the Alberta Conference has been actively pursuing grant funding on behalf of our schools and churches. What started as a coordinated effort to open doors has grown into a meaningful body of work, with support flowing to schools and congregations across the Conference in ways that are making a real difference on the ground.
Our Education department has been a major driver of this work. Every school in our network has benefited in some way, whether through playground upgrades, greenhouse and garden projects, STEM programming, or larger capital initiatives. College Heights Christian School, Coralwood Adventist Academy, Peace Hills Adventist Academy, and South Side Christian School have received playground funding through foundations including Allard, John and Ellie Voortman, and Canada Post. Parkview Adventist Academy, Chinook Winds Adventist Academy, and Sylvan Meadows Adventist School have received grants supporting greenhouse projects and STEM programming through funders such as Versacare and Fortis Alberta. Mamawi Atosketan Native School has received significant support for its hydroponic container farm, feeding program, carpentry program, and outdoor garden, including recognition through the Zayed Sustainability Prize. The breadth of this work reflects the strength and intentionality of our Education department, and we are proud of every school that has been part of it.
Our churches have also seen meaningful results. Cornerstone Seventh-day Adventist Church, Yellowknife Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Edmonton African Fellowship Seventh-day Adventist Church were recipients of the Supporting Black Communities and Community Initiatives (SBCCI) grant. Pastor Courage Nyathi of Yellowknife Church shared the impact in his community: “We were awarded funding which we strategically allocated toward replacing the gym flooring and repainting the gym walls. Since the completion of these upgrades, we have experienced a notable increase in demand for the use of the gym, with both faith-based groups and the broader community seeking to utilize the space. We are encouraged to see the positive impact of this funding and are deeply grateful for the support in helping bring this project to fruition.”
Through the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program (ASIP), several churches received funding to strengthen the safety of their facilities, including Bonnyville Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lloydminster Seventh-day Adventist Church, Medicine Hat Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Ponoka Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Grant Lottering captured what these upgrades have meant: “The security upgrades have given us a real sense of safety. We want our doors to be open for anyone to come inside, and now we can do that with confidence. We invited our community to train alongside us and had more community members show up than our own church members. We continue to pray for opportunities to cross paths with them again.”
None of this happens in isolation. It is the result of schools, churches, and the Conference working together, and of funders who believe in the mission we are carrying out. We look forward to sharing more as this work continues.
By Melanie Dussaye