A Symphony of Support: Memphis Churches raise over $20,000 for MAA's Music Program

Ten Memphis churches from the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference (KYTN) and the South-Central Conference (SCC), alongside one Mississippi church from the Gulf State Conference (GSC), united in a fundraising concert at the Longview, Tenn., Church on January 6, 2024. The event aimed to support Memphis Adventist Academy (MAA) and successfully raised $22,665 to enhance the school's music program.

The concert became a vibrant blend of musical diversity, with each participating church and MAA's choir contributing two songs. The repertoire spanned across English, Spanish, and Kinyarwanda, the native language of Rwanda.

“It is a beautiful thing, just working with all the churches,” said Fabian Reid, MAA principal. “I can tell you, all the churches put their heart and soul into making [the concert] happen. They are united in ensuring the success of the school.”

Beyond the musical display, the fundraising event had a profound purpose – to revamp the school's music program. The $22,665 raised will be allocated towards acquiring new instruments and providing well-deserved compensation for the music teacher. According to Reid, MAA wants to prepare the musicians of tomorrow that will praise God.

Benjamin Jones, SCC president, says he is proud of all these churches for coming together to support their local academy. MAA is one of the few schools in the division jointly administered by two conferences.

“The single most important thing that we can do as collective churches is to save our children,” Jones said. “The most effective, consistent evangelistic tool is Adventist education. This concert not only resonates across diverse cultures and churches but also serves as a foundation for future collaborative endeavors.”

Steve Haley, KYTN President, also emphasized the pivotal role that local churches play in sustaining their local educational Adventist institutions.

“Our school’s existence is not possible without the support and investment of local churches,” Haley said. “Our churches are the lifeblood for our schools… The celebration of the MAA concert demonstrated that although each of us come from different backgrounds, when God’s people come together in worship, and for the worthy purpose of supporting a common vision in mission and ministry, great things happen!”