At Hartland College she heard God’s call to help finish His work. “What I truly appreciate about Hartland is that my questions were answered-not with meaningless phrases such as ‘just because,’ but right from God’s Word so the answers made sense to me.” Janine had become a Christian only three years before coming to Hartland College, and she still had many questions. She says, “As I saw Christ’s love shining out from the lives of my instructors, I wanted to experience what they were experiencing.”
When Janine took the “Conversion and Righteousness by Faith” class, things finally began to come together and make sense for her. “That’s when my faith became really grounded,” she recalls. It was during her time in Hartland College that Janine learned how to truly live for Christ and how to experience the practical aspects of Christianity. She feels it was while she was there that she gained a deeper and living relationship with Christ.
Janine Kowell graduated from Hartland College in 1999 with a major in Christian Elementary Education. Now she is putting her teaching skills to use in Southern California, where she works with preschool-aged, specialneeds children. Although her official title is “teacher,” she is actually a missionary in disguise! She is excited about the many opportunities she has had to share her faith with her co-workers, as well as the parents of some of her students.
In addition to her job at the school, Janine serves as a Sabbath School teacher at Advent HOPE, a Sabbath School group on the Loma Linda University campus that is committed to helping others prepare for eternity. She is a co-founder of Advent HOPE, as well as of the General Youth Conference. GYC is an intensive five-day conference held annually that brings together dedicated Seventh-day Adventist youth and young adults who are fully committed to the distinctive message and mission of the SDA church, including the proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages.
Janine is also currently giving Bible studies. “A few years ago, through singing bands, I met a young lady who was a patient in the hospital. She studied the Bible with me for about a year and has recently made a commitment for baptism!” It is a joy to see that Janine is committed to being a co-laborer with Christ for the saving of souls, both in Southern California and wherever else God leads her.
In reflection, Janine praises God for leading her to Hartland College, for it was there that she caught a vision and now has a testimony to share. Janine says, “Hartland is where I found my calling, both for my profession and my ministry. I learned the significance of the times in which we are living, and I heard God’s call to help finish His work here on this earth.” Praise God for Hartland College!
By Rachel Perry/HMR June-July 2006
