Press Releases

South Central Conference Stands with Oakwood Adventist Academy

Adventist Conference supports school in its territory after varsity basketball team forfeits game scheduled for Sabbath.

February 21, 2022 | Nashville, Tenn. | South Central Conference Communication

The South Central Conference administration applauds the young men of the Oakwood Adventist Academy basketball team for their recent stand to not play a state regional tournament game scheduled during the Sabbath hours. The conference administration is thrilled to see faith lived out in the lives of its members. The Oakwood Adventist Academy varsity basketball team had a historical season by advancing to the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) Class 1A Boy’s Northeast Regional Basketball Semi-Finals this past weekend (Feb. 19). However, because of our Sabbath teaching and observance, the boys’ varsity team at the Huntsville, Alabama, school chose to forfeit their game. This in essence ended their basketball season this year.

Benjamin Jones, Jr., president of South Central Conference, stated that he “is very proud of the Oakwood Adventist Academy basketball team as they stood for biblical principles and demonstrated excellence of character to not play on Sabbath.”

Jones added, “The young men, the coaches, the Oakwood Adventist Academy administration, Judy B. Chiles-Dent, principal, and her leadership team, parents, and staff members have the full support of the South Central Conference office and administration.” The team has given an excellent example for other Seventh-day Adventist youth around the world.

“The commitment of our students to uphold the biblical principles taught by our educational institution is commendable”, said Johnny Holliday, South Central Conference superintendent of Education. Holliday continues, “We are proud of our basketball team, the mentoring of Coach Melvin Allen, the leadership of Calvin Morton, athletic director, team captain Raynon Andrews, Jr., the leadership of the Oakwood Adventist Academy administrative staff, principal Judy B. Chiles-Dent, and assistant principal Chantel Bailey-Callendar.”

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South Central Conference headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, serves as the regional office of the Seventh-day Adventist church serving Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and counties of the state of Florida west of the Apalachicola River. South Central comprises more than 29,000 members in 149 congregations and is one of the eight conferences located in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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