News/Events ::
A Message from the President, July 2007
What comes to your mind when I say the word “vision?"
Some of you may think of our sensory ability to see with our eyes and immediately enjoy the visual stimulants in the world around us. Others of you may think of the cognitive concept of vision: a dream reaching into the unexplored territory known as the future.
This latter concept of “vision” is critical to the growth of any business and vital to the successful fulfillment of any non-profit’s mission. The wise man, Solomon, speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit, tells us in Proverbs 29:18 that “without vision the people perish…”
Here at FAI, we are firmly grounded in today and in keeping our eyes focused on current realities; however, this doesn’t eclipse our vision for the future.
To advance into the future, we are implementing three important programs to continue the fulfillment of our mission:
| 1. |
Student-Led Media Production Program:
Through the Office of Advancement and with the support of the Fletcher Seventh-day Adventist church, we are developing a student-led and produced television-program ministry. This ministry will give our young people an opportunity to learn the process of television media production while also creating a message of Jesus’ love that is targeted to their peer group.
The students volunteered their time and talents during the school year to develop some sample footage. This footage was shared with Danny Shelton when 3ABN brought a Rally to the campus in mid-April. Danny was so excited about the potential he saw in that footage that he initiated a possible airing-opportunity for us with 3ABN and now we’re scheduled to film a 5-minute piece in July. We will share more about this opportunity as details unfold.
|
| 2. |
Cisco Academy:
Fletcher Academy, our secondary education facility, is moving forward with an exciting project, Cisco Academy, which is an information technology education program. The Cisco Academy program, which will be available to Fletcher Academy’s students and the high school students of Henderson County, is an opportunity for our young people to learn networking and computer trouble-shooting skills through a well-developed program offered by the nationally recognized company, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Students participating in this two-year program will have the opportunity to graduate from high school with 12 college credits and to take the Cisco Certified Networking Assistant (CCNA) exam. Upon completing the class and passing the exam, these students may enter the workforce, full or part-time, and experience a significantly higher pay scale than many of their peers. The Cisco Academy training may also allow our students to provide computer-support services across the campus and in the local community. |
| 3. |
Brambles Project:
The corporation began on the foundation of a highly agrarian system. As we move forward, we are also looking back and returning to our roots. Therefore, we have re-introduced the agricultural program on our campus through Fletcher Valley Farms. For the last two years, the business has consisted of one greenhouse and about two active acres. Today, the business owns five greenhouses and has expanded its active acreage to about 12 acres. Ten of those acres have been dedicated to blackberries to begin our Brambles project.
As of November 2006, FAI has entered into an agreement to grow blackberries for SunnyRidge Farms of Florida, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of bramble-produce. This is an excellent opportunity for the corporation’s agricultural program to make a giant leap forward while helping our young people better understand the art of agricultural production. |
On my desk, I have a plaque with the following inscription: “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.” We believe that God is leading in powerful ways in this organization and that He will continue to do so as we petition the Holy Spirit for guidance. We ask for your prayers as we move forward that - through the grace of our Lord - we may see the invisible and through the power of His Holy Spirit that we may “do the impossible.”
Leading with Vision in Jesus' name,
Curt Watkins
and the team at FAI
