26 Feb 2026, 14:29Luke Clark
An evening with Pine Forge Academy
Guests were warmly welcomed as they entered the doors of Winson Green Seventh-day Adventist Church on 14th February for a fundraising concert organised by Stanborough Secondary School. With the aim of raising funds to continue its mission of “raising children with spiritual grounding,” the Pine Forge Choir visited the United Kingdom to share their extraordinary talents.
The sister school to Stanborough, based in Pennsylvania, USA, the choir is directed by Jarrett Roseborough and is made up of young people dedicated to their craft, travelling to bless audiences with their vocal diversity and powerful harmonies.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Ainsley Johns, North England Conference (NEC) Music Director, before the congregation were wowed by the remarkable vocal talents of Naomi Parchment, a former student of the prestigious Oakwood University.
As the award-winning choir and its director were introduced to the congregation, who were now filling the pews, the choir members took to the platform and lifted their voices. Their song filled the church, stirring deep emotion that was visible on many faces. Each young person sang with passion, demonstrating their commitment to God through the talents He has entrusted to them. Many of the selections shared throughout the evening carried messages of hope, praise, reflection, and promise, with Bible verses read and then beautifully elaborated on through song. It was evident that these young people had been discipled in the Word of God.
From popular Christian anthems to classic hymns, the choir led the congregation on a musical journey glorifying God. The songs resonated throughout the sanctuary. One attendee remarked, “If you missed it, you certainly missed out.” Throughout the event, the congregation was encouraged to join in several songs. The audience sang “Old Time Religion,” reminded of the essence of true religion. The theme of soul conversion echoed through the lyrics, encouraging witnesses of all ages, from parents to children. Attentive and responsive to their director, the choir delivered a rich and powerful proclamation, including “Holy, Holy, Holy,” giving thanks for the Holy Sabbath day of rest and drawing the congregation further along this musical and spiritual journey.
The evening continued with remarks from Jeanetta Liburd, Head of Stanborough Secondary School. Mrs Liburd shared how this beautiful event came to fruition, explaining that a Stanborough student had first proposed the idea and extended the invitation for the choir to stay at Stanborough Secondary School in Watford after travelling - some accompanied by their parents - from the USA. This initiative demonstrated the proactive spirit of the students.
Through initiatives such as Spiritual Emphasis Week, Stanborough recently celebrated the baptism of 25 students, with a further 20 expressing interest in Bible studies. The school embraces inclusivity, currently hosting 22 students from Hong Kong and 70 from Brazil. Community Service Day and participation in the “Big Help Out” provide volunteering opportunities that encourage students to maintain high standards within the school community. Through food bank support, visits to local residential care homes, and park clean-ups, students actively serve the local area - while also achieving GCSE results well above the national average.
It is truly a blessing when educational institutions across the world support one another for the betterment of their students. Loma Linda University has helped fund an Information and Communications Technology room for the school, while also supporting educational trips to the USA.
Pastor Steve Palmer, NEC President, expressed gratitude and encouragement to the Pine Forge Choir, closing the evening in prayer and thanking God for His presence in Birmingham on this unforgettable occasion.
Guests were warmly welcomed as they entered the doors of Winson Green Seventh-day Adventist Church on 14th February for a fundraising concert organised by Stanborough Secondary School. With the aim of raising funds to continue its mission of “raising children with spiritual grounding,” the Pine Forge Choir visited the United Kingdom to share their extraordinary talents.
The sister school to Stanborough, based in Pennsylvania, USA, the choir is directed by Jarrett Roseborough and is made up of young people dedicated to their craft, travelling to bless audiences with their vocal diversity and powerful harmonies.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Ainsley Johns, North England Conference (NEC) Music Director, before the congregation were wowed by the remarkable vocal talents of Naomi Parchment, a former student of the prestigious Oakwood University.
As the award-winning choir and its director were introduced to the congregation, who were now filling the pews, the choir members took to the platform and lifted their voices. Their song filled the church, stirring deep emotion that was visible on many faces. Each young person sang with passion, demonstrating their commitment to God through the talents He has entrusted to them. Many of the selections shared throughout the evening carried messages of hope, praise, reflection, and promise, with Bible verses read and then beautifully elaborated on through song. It was evident that these young people had been discipled in the Word of God.
From popular Christian anthems to classic hymns, the choir led the congregation on a musical journey glorifying God. The songs resonated throughout the sanctuary. One attendee remarked, “If you missed it, you certainly missed out.” Throughout the event, the congregation was encouraged to join in several songs. The audience sang “Old Time Religion,” reminded of the essence of true religion. The theme of soul conversion echoed through the lyrics, encouraging witnesses of all ages, from parents to children. Attentive and responsive to their director, the choir delivered a rich and powerful proclamation, including “Holy, Holy, Holy,” giving thanks for the Holy Sabbath day of rest and drawing the congregation further along this musical and spiritual journey.
The evening continued with remarks from Jeanetta Liburd, Head of Stanborough Secondary School. Mrs Liburd shared how this beautiful event came to fruition, explaining that a Stanborough student had first proposed the idea and extended the invitation for the choir to stay at Stanborough Secondary School in Watford after travelling - some accompanied by their parents - from the USA. This initiative demonstrated the proactive spirit of the students.
Through initiatives such as Spiritual Emphasis Week, Stanborough recently celebrated the baptism of 25 students, with a further 20 expressing interest in Bible studies. The school embraces inclusivity, currently hosting 22 students from Hong Kong and 70 from Brazil. Community Service Day and participation in the “Big Help Out” provide volunteering opportunities that encourage students to maintain high standards within the school community. Through food bank support, visits to local residential care homes, and park clean-ups, students actively serve the local area - while also achieving GCSE results well above the national average.
It is truly a blessing when educational institutions across the world support one another for the betterment of their students. Loma Linda University has helped fund an Information and Communications Technology room for the school, while also supporting educational trips to the USA.
Pastor Steve Palmer, NEC President, expressed gratitude and encouragement to the Pine Forge Choir, closing the evening in prayer and thanking God for His presence in Birmingham on this unforgettable occasion.
