It’s the goal of every Adventist school to work closely with their constituent churches. But if you ask most pastors and school staff they’ll tell you the job is harder than it sounds.

Les Zollbrecht, Portland Adventist Academy (PAA) chaplain, saw the need for more dialogue between the churches and his school and specifically for pastors to interact more with the students. “So we decided to plan a Prayer Breakfast,” he said.

Early in the morning on Oct. 25, the PAA library was filled with the smells of a hearty breakfast, enough to fed 10 pastors from area churches, several staff and faculty, and student leaders of the PAA worship committee.

With a warm welcome and prayer for the meal, Charlene Vizcara, PAA marketing director, opened the meeting while Gale Crosby, principal, continued with creative introductions of each person present.

Zollbrecht took over with a report about the spiritual movement on campus this year which led to what was perhaps the most touching moment of the morning. All 10 pastors crowded in a circle as the students gathered around them with the teachers and staff behind the students. Hands were placed on shoulders and the sounds of young and passionate voices joined in a chorus of prayer for their guests.

Zollbrecht and Crosby concluded the meeting with a call to action. “I encourage you to be here among the students and staff,” said Zollbrecht. “We’ve set aside a pastoral study room where you can meet with the students, pray with them and encourage them.”

Three more Prayer Breakfasts are planned for the school year.

Rebecca Cheek, PAA senior and worship committee music director, was delighted to see her pastor at the meeting. “I’ve never been a part of something like that before,” she beamed. “I got to pray for my pastor.” Rebecca’s pastor, Julius Jones of the Beaverton Church, used the opportunity to ask for prayer for his wife, who has been battling cancer.

Shirley Allen, Sunnyside Church associate pastor, agreed. “It’s unusual to have young people pray for us. Sometimes we pastors get all prayed out,” she admitted. “To hear them praying for us made such a wonderful moment.”