Century 100 :: Give a Gift/Volunteer
When I returned to Fletcher Academy, Inc. as God opened and closed the doors of my life’s path (Praise Him!), I had very little idea of how much work non-profits do in our society. I was almost straight out of college and, honestly, clueless to the workings of communities.
I have now spent four years -truly a very little time in the grand scheme of things-fundraising, etc. for the institution, and I’ve come to understand non-profits on a completely different level. I realize that I gave the government (both the US and local) way too much credit for my quality of life and far too little credit to organizations like my church, the local citizen-groups, and my own school.
When I left the campus after graduation, I had the mentality of a teenager rebelling against its parent. I didn’t think I’d gotten the quality of education I deserved and all I could see were the faults of the school. Since that time, like teenagers frequently learn about their parents, I’ve learned that the school isn’t perfect, but that it also never claimed to be perfect. I’ve learned the school did do its best by me and that I didn’t always do my best with what it gave me. I’ve learned that the school and its leadership really do try to fulfill the mission, walk-the-walk not just talk-the-talk and that these are some of the most dedicated people I will ever meet. I’ve learned that God does have a work to be done through this organization.
God’s work through this organization is rarely tangible. Some days we see the student blossom; others we bring in a harvest that is worthy of praise; most days we just do the work that is set before us and after a few hundred of those my soul can get discouraged. On days when I wonder why God has brought me here, He answers my un-prayed inquiry with a letter from an alumnus who credits the success of their professional life to what they learned here at Fletcher, or a call from a parent who is so grateful to have an Adventist school where she can send her child, or the graduate who comes back and says, “I resisted God the entire time I was here. I don’t want to reject Him anymore.” On those days, the struggles this organization faces are nothing in comparison to the blessings God pours on us.
That’s the job of a non-profit: To get up in the morning and work, not to make money for a stakeholder or an owner but to win souls and to bless someone else’s life through its work. The government collects taxes and fines to finish its work, but non-profits don’t lean on a system of force to keep the wheels turning. FAI’s leadership gets up every morning and trusts that God will make a way…where there seems to be no way. The leadership steps forward into the darkness of the future with sure-footedness because there is a light unto our path. FAI plans for the future and the next phase, program or event because we believe God has a plan and that He will provide the means for His work.
As you go about your day today, look around you and consider the people and organizations whose efforts have blessed your life. I hope you see FAI among them and that you’ll be part of supporting this work.
Sincerely,
Erin Syfert Teague, Class of 1996
