he North American Division Office of Education (NADOE) personnel are relatively new to their responsibilities. Based on the work of Dr. Patrick Lencioni, best selling author of The Five Dysfunctions of A Team and The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business, our office team identified what was most important, to begin the work God has called us to do. Below is our “Playbook” designed to move us going in the right direction.

Mission Statement: Collaborating for learning excellence through faith and service. Vision Statement: Educate, equip, encourage and empower for time and eternity.

Why do we exist? Believing that all learners have been imbued with curiosity and wonder, we exist to nurture that gift and develop their God-given potential for time and eternity.

How do we behave? Aspiring to exemplify Christ-like leadership and pedagogy through:

Grace - a gift freely given asking nothing in return

Hope - a confidence rooted deeply in faith and trust in God, with a desire to live as He sees us

Faith - belief in God and acceptance of His will - holding onto His power to help no matter what comes my way

Love - sacrificial action for one another, and it is not self-seeking

Justice - as God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love

Joy - contentment in the soul causing us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world

Service - serving others with a willing heart

Peace - resisting unproductive conflict and fostering positive well-being

What do we do? Vision, develop, collaborate, coordinate, and champion the system of Adventist education.

How will we succeed? By relying on God to lead through innovation, collaboration, passion, humor, and trust we will honor Him with our unique gifts and perspectives.

What is most important, right now?

• Build trust across the NAD as a new team
• Defining Objectives
• Deliver on current key commitments
• Identify plans for new strategic initiatives
• Improve Communication
• Develop relationships
• Tear down silos
• Transparency

 

 

 

Arne Nielsen

Vice President for Education

 

 

Aren Nielsen, M.Ed.

Vice President, Education

Arne P. Nielsen believes that the real object of education, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is to transform the lives of students and “restore in man the image of his Maker … promoting the development of body, mind, and soul.”

Arne holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Andrews University and a master’s degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University. Currently, he is in the Leadership PhD program at Andrews University.