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OREGON CONFERENCE NEWS
Xenoglossia Replaces Glossophobia
at CAA
The Columbia Adventist
Academy week of prayer
theme encouraged students to
“Be Real.”
Columbia Adventist Academy week of prayer speakers spend time together on a weekend retreat.
An increase in glossophobia,
or the fear of public
speaking, has often been noted
prior to each year’s student
week of prayer at Columbia
Adventist Academy (CAA) in
Battle Ground, Wash. In an
attempt to reverse that trend,
chaplain Keith Kerbs, the
religion department and the
administration joined efforts to
train 12 “disciples” in the countermovement
of xenoglossia, or
speaking in tongues. As on the
day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit
moved to allow CAA students
to hear how God is moving in
the lives of their fellow students,
who shared Scripture and personal
experiences on the theme
“Be Real. Take Two.”
Four key elements helped
open doors for the student
speakers. The school leadership
made a conscious effort to see
God working in and through
the students. A weekend retreat
allowed the speakers to focus
on renewing their commitment
to Christ. The speakers made
preparations both spiritual and
academic, and constituent pastors
became sounding boards
for the students’ presentations
as they prepared.
The speakers included
students from each grade level.
They spoke on a range of topics,
from comfort zones and
fake Christians to courage and
today’s temptations.
The week ended with students,
parents and community
members gathering at Sabbath
School and church as Urijah
Saenz, a senior, spoke on grace.
From start to finish, the week
was eye-opening for many. “I
thought the speakers from week
of prayer were very moving,”
explains a student. “I did not
realize how many people at
this school are going through
such deep issues, and it makes
you realize you are not the only
person with problems.”
Students had the opportunity
to write responses to the week’s
presentations. They noted how
listening to student speakers
helped them in their own daily
walks. “The talk on bullying
helped me see that I am not
alone in this world and have
people that actually care for
me,” one student wrote.
Another added, “Lately I’ve
been really struggling with what
I believe and my faith, but [this]
opened my eyes.”
The speakers also had an
opportunity to comment on the
week. “I was terrified at the idea
of talking up front,” one speaker
admitted, “but through doing
this I have grown so much
closer to God. Now the thought
of speaking up front isn’t as terrifying.
It’s still a lot of work, but
I trust God to guide my words
to be what He wants me to say.”
With glossophobia pushed
aside, God was able to work
through these student speakers
to reach the entire student body.
“The talks were straight to the
heart, and they didn’t seem
like words from the speaker
but from God,” one student
explains.
And that, dear friends, is
xenoglossia.
Larry Hiday, CAA GLEANER
correspondent
June 2013 • GLEANER
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