1. Fulfilling the Gospel commission Matthew 28:19–20

“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1. Channels of Light to the World -Matthew 5:14–16

5:14     Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

 5:15    Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

 5:16    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

1. Demonstrate True religion. Isaiah 58:6–8, James 1:27

58:6     [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 

 58:7    [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 

 58:8    Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. 

1. Manifesting the Character og God to the World: a Life full of the Holy Spirit Acts 10:38

10:38   How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Purpose for Institutions

God’s purpose in giving the third angel’s message to the world is to prepare a people to stand true to Him during the investigative judgement. This is the purpose for which we establish and maintain our publishing houses, our schools, our sanitariums, hygienic restaurants, treatment rooms, and food factories. This is our purpose in carrying forward every line of work in the cause. 1MR 228.2

The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children

of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.  {COL 415.5} 

     The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works–in words of truth and deeds of holiness.  {COL 416.1}

The four major groups

1. Publishing Work

• Schools
• Training schools
• Self-supporting schools
• Industrial/agricultural training

2. Medical missionary work

• Sanitariums
• Treatment rooms
• Medical missionary institutions

3. Publishing and evangelistic work

• Publishing houses
• Printing/publishing facilities
• Literature work
• Printing press

4. Health and industrial work

• Hygienic restaurants
• Food factories
• Agricultural institutions
• Kindred Industries
• Manufacturing enterprises

SCHOOLS / EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

To educate and train workers for God’s service—intellectually, spiritually, practically, and physically.7T 147.2–147.4; Ed 232.2–233.1

1. To educate youth in the Bible and sciences so they can become qualified workers. 7T 147.4; 6T 126.1; Ed 30.1

 “All the workers should be impressed with the fact that they are not only to be educated in business lines, but to become qualified to bear spiritual responsibilities. Let every worker be impressed with the importance of a personal connection with Christ, a personal experience of His power to save. Let the workers be educated as were the youth in the schools of the prophets. Let their minds be molded by God through His appointed agencies. All should receive a training in Bible lines, should be rooted and grounded in the principles of truth, that they may keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment.” — 7T 147.4

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2. To train medical missionaries, teachers, ministers and other workers.

EGW References: 6T 136.1–137.1; 7T 147.1–147.4

Ellen White repeatedly presents training institutions as places where workers are prepared for different branches of God’s work. The institutional system was to prepare workers who could enter different fields and assist other institutions.

7T 147.1 specifically says institutions should qualify workers to give “efficient help to institutions in new fields.”

For medical missionary training, see 6T 136–137.

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3. To develop workers who can assume responsibilities in different fields.

EGW Reference: 7T 147.2

“God designs that our publishing houses shall be successful educating schools, both in business and in spiritual lines. Managers and workers are ever to keep in mind that God requires perfection in all things connected with His service. Let all who enter our institutions to receive instruction understand this. Let opportunity be given for all to acquire the greatest possible efficiency. Let them become acquainted with different lines of work so that, if called to other fields, they will have an all-round training and thus be qualified to bear varied responsibilities.” — 7T 147.2

This is one of the strongest EGW references for this objective.

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4. To provide practical labor and useful skills, not merely theoretical education.

EGW References: 7T 147.3–147.4; Ed 232.2–233.1

Ellen White connects education with practical work and all-round development.

“Apprentices should be so trained that, after the necessary time spent in the institution, they can go forth prepared to take up intelligently the different lines of printing work, giving momentum to the cause of God by the best use of their energies and capable of imparting to others the knowledge they have received.” — 7T 147.3

For the broader principle of practical, all-round education, Education 232–233 teaches that a well-balanced character and efficient work depend upon “thorough, all-round training.”

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5. To develop Christian character.

EGW References: Ed 13.1; Ed 16.1; 7T 147.4

The purpose of true education is not merely intellectual development but the formation of character and preparation for service.

7T 147.4 connects institutional education with personal connection with Christ, spiritual experience, Bible training, truth, justice, judgment, and missionary service.

A particularly important general reference is Education 13, where Ellen White explains that true education has to do with the harmonious development of the physical, mental, and spiritual powers.

6. To prepare workers to teach and train others.

EGW References: 7T 147.3–147.4; 6T 126.1

“Apprentices should be so trained that, after the necessary time spent in the institution, they can go forth prepared to take up intelligently the different lines of printing work, giving momentum to the cause of God by the best use of their energies and capable of imparting to others the knowledge they have received.” — 7T 147.3

The phrase “capable of imparting to others the knowledge they have received” directly supports the objective of preparing workers who can train others.

7. To make the institution itself a missionary agency.

EGW Reference: 7T 146.4; SpTB08 9.1

This point is especially explicit:

“Our institutions should be missionary agencies in the highest sense, and true missionary work always begins with those nearest. In every institution there is missionary work to be done. From the manager to the humblest worker, all should feel a responsibility for the unconverted among their own number. They should put forth earnest effort to bring them to Christ. As the result of such effort many will be won and will become faithful and true in service to God.” — 7T 146.4

This is therefore a very strong foundation for establishing a school not merely as an educational centre, but as a missionary institution.

“God designs that our publishing houses shall be successful educating schools, both in business and in spiritual lines. Managers and workers are ever to keep in mind that God requires perfection in all things connected with His service. Let all who enter our institutions to receive instruction understand this. Let opportunity be given for all to acquire the greatest possible efficiency. Let them become acquainted with different lines of work so that, if called to other fields, they will have an all-round training and thus be qualified to bear varied responsibilities.” — 7T 147.2.

The following paragraph extends the principle to the workers’ spiritual education:

“All the workers should be impressed with the fact that they are not only to be educated in business lines, but to become qualified to bear spiritual responsibilities. Let every worker be impressed with the importance of a personal connection with Christ, a personal experience of His power to save. Let the workers be educated as were the youth in the schools of the prophets. Let their minds be molded by God through His appointed agencies. All should receive a training in Bible lines, should be rooted and grounded in the principles of truth, that they may keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment. Let every effort be made to arouse and encourage the missionary spirit. Let the workers be impressed with a sense of the high privilege proffered them in this last work of salvation, to be used by God as His helping hand. Let each be taught to work for others, by practical labor for souls just where he is. Let all learn to look to the word of God for instruction in every line of missionary effort.” — 7T 147.4