Where is the school located?

Paradise is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We are situated on 68 acres of beautiful scenery, and conveniently situated only 40 minutes away from the Niagara Falls tourist area.

What is Paradise Home's relation with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church?

Paradise Fields is a self-supporting ministry, aligned with the values and mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Our center of influence initiative, Paradise Health Clinic, is a collaborative effort between Paradise Health and the General Conference

What curriculum will the school follow?

We will follow True Education principles as a foundation of all that is taught and practiced, as opposed to a set standardised curriculum. We have spent significant time in prayer and studying what the Spirit of Prophecy has to teach about True Education. We have researched how God intended education to be beginning in Eden, and continuing through the reform work of the School of the Prophets as well as the schools EG White founded at Avondale and Madison. We have compiled this into the Paradise H.O.M.E curriculum, which is largely principle based. In practice, the learning will be adaptable to individual student development needs and circumstances.

Who will teach the program?

We have both permanent and guest instructors who will oversee the various modules based on their expertise. Students will largely be learning through practice, and will be under the supervision of capable leaders in each department

What is the teacher to student ratio?

We align in the range of the ratios used by early Adventist education (1:6 ratio) and the example Christ set (1:12 ratio).

What skills will I develop at the end of the course?

This course is specifically designed to equip a generation of pioneer-minded leaders. By the end of your time, you will leave with a thorough understanding of institutional management, including missional entrepreneurship and self supporting principles. You will also have a practical understanding of how each institution in an outpost operates, and how this connects directly with city work. You will leave with a good knowledge of necessary life skills including gardening, construction, health ministry, cooking, education, marketing, business plans and sales to name a few. Throughout the entire program we will also be learning how to deepen our walk with God through study, prayer and ministry. Finally, you will be equipped to serve through medical evangelism by learning hands-on natural interventions such as hydrotherapy and massage. You'll get exposure to health-focused outreach programs and Bible studies, as well as involvement in community well being projects.

I live in another country and can't afford to come, is there an online alternative?

Because we believe that True Education can only be experienced in a hands-on manner in nature, the core training will need to be attended in person. However, we also recognize that it is not possible for all who are interested in the program to attend, so we will be offering some of the courseware and short information-filled videos on the Advent Leaders platform.

Is the school Co-Ed?

Yes, the curriculum is designed to incorporate the development of both male and female leaders. The training will be fundamentally identical in principle, but the outworking in practice will look different for the two groups. We will take into consideration the capacity and God-given role of both sexes, and will strive to maintain the beauty of the unique distinction given to each one.

How can I contact Paradise H.O.M.E directly?

We'd love to hear from you! Danella will be your specific liaison for all program related questions. You can contact her directly via email: danella@paradisefields.ca

How long is the program?

The whole training is one-three years long, depending on student skill level, needs, and goals. The foundation program is one year long, which focuses on understanding purpose, recognising abilities, and honing skills through project based learning. The advanced program extends into two more years. Year two is an internship under guided supervision within a chosen field, and year three is a master apprenticeship with specific mentorship toward starting another outpost system or ministry venture.

When does the 2025 program start?

The program officially begins April 1st, however students can start arriving from March 28th in order to settle, Please arrange your travel plans to arrive at a time outside of Sabbath hours. If your circumstance means you may need to arrive outside of this window, please contact us directly so that we can discuss this with you on an individual basis.

How many students will there be in the 2025 program?

We will be selecting up to 10 students for the 2025 cohort. We will from then onwards be expanding to 12 students, as our main housing facility will then be ready to accommodate more.

Can I bring my spouse or family with me?

We are not currently equipped to house families for the 2024 program. If you can provide your own housing (e.g. mobile tiny house, trailer or van) we will consider the application.

Can I bring my pet with me?

As a general rule we do not allow students to bring a pet.

Do I have to be a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church?

The program is designed for those who have made a decision to give their life in service to Christ. While it is likely that the majority of our students will be baptized members of the church, this is not a requirement. Our expectation is that you are open to adopting the Advent lifestyle of the community and that you want to know Christ further.

Is there a minimum or maximum age that I should be?

Whilst we encourage the growth and development of all ages, this training is designed specifically to equip a generation of youth as outstanding pioneers and leaders in the work for this time. The minimum age should be at least 18, and the maximum age is 35. We will always remain open and prayerful to potential exceptions to these restrictions - this will be considered on an individual basis.

What languages am I required to know?

Each student must be fully fluent in English, as the training will be conducted in English.

What are the dress requirements for the program?

We expect all students to dress modestly and appropriately for working alongside the Paradise family and the surrounding community. As missionaries, we expect you to set an example, and therefore maintain the principles of adventist dress reform as our standard of requirements - modesty, simplicity, role distinction and beauty. We encourage the ladies to wear dresses, and the men to cover their limbs. We welcome questions for more specifics, please feel free to reach out.

Do I need a degree to attend?

We do not require any formal education, however we expect you to be at an adult proficiency level in terms of reading and writing.

Is this program only available to locals?

No, this program is also open to international attendees. If you sense this is for you and you are in another country, please fill out the application, and we will liaise with you regarding visa requirements and protocols.

What should I bring with me?

A willingness to surrender self and follow Christ; a mindset ready to change; a good pair of working/gardening boots; heavy, durable clothing for winter; lighter, modest working clothes for summer; clothes appropriate for church attendance and community outreach projects; a pen and a notebook; laptop if desired/able.

Do I need insurance?

We do not provide any liability insurance, it is up to you to ensure you have active travel/medical insurance for any health issues or injuries during the program.

Can I bring a musical instrument with me?

Sacred music was one of the subjects taught in the School of the Prophets and so we encourage you to bring your musical instrument.

How can I get there?

If you are flying, your destination will be one of the Toronto Airports. One of the Paradise family members will collect you from there. Please coordinate in advance with us to ensure we can arrange this to best accommodate all arrivals. If you are driving, use the address provided on the website, and coordinate with us so we are aware of your arrival time.

What is the weather like?

Summer: Summer weather is warm to hot, with daily temperatures peaking over 30℃. Fall: During the fall the nice and warm weather continues, but the climate is slowly getting colder, in November the lower temperatures reaching again 0℃ and even negative temperatures. By the end of the fall term you might even encounter some snowing. Winter: Temperatures regularly at and below 0℃ - prepare for ice-skating! Spring: In March and April weather alternates between warm and sunny waves (temperatures around 8-12℃) and cold and rainy waves (temperatures around 0℃), slowly warming up, reaching in May temperatures over 20℃.

Where will I stay?

We have shared accommodation prepared for you, with separate floors for males and females

What is the schedule like?

The weekly schedule runs from Sunday to Thursday with Friday used for preparing for the Sabbath hours. General daily schedules start with an early morning personal devotion, family worship and discussion, breakfast, morning walk time, manual labor/classes including, family lunch time, and then later on family evening gathering, with quiet hour at 9pm. Please note that as this is a pioneer training, the input of students on the daily schedule will be encouraged and very much considered.

What are the meals?

All meals will be plant-based health reform, and delicious. Students will be actively involved in the preparation and ingestion of the meals :)

What does free time look like?

We discourage any secular media (Netflix/video games, etc) during the program and follow EG White’s counsel that free time should be used productively so we will not be engaging in sports, but will have a range of healthy and productive activities as well as time for personal devotion and study.

Can I go shopping in town?

Yes, you may go shopping on preparation day for personal hygiene products and any other provisions each student may individually desire

Can I invite family or friends to visit?

You may speak with us to make a request for a visitor.

How do I submit my application?

To submit an application, please reach out to Danella Taylor.

When should I apply?

You may register up to 14 days before the start of the program (April 1st). Please note that some of the core traits taught in the program are proactivity, sense of urgency and decisiveness; as such we will prioritise earlier applications.

What will the program cost? Is there a fee?

There is an application fee of $1000 CA, which covers initial administration, resources and offsite programs. For the rest of student tuition, there is no upfront payment, as we will be following the Madison model of learning. This means the students will mainly be taught through practical, hands-on work, which will be a major benefit towards student development, and it will also serve as the exchange price for their housing and instruction because it will simultaneously generate income for the Paradise Network. Students can expect to spend half of the working day in useful labor.

Ok, my application is submitted, what next?

Completed applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee. The review process can typically take two weeks, after which candidates will be notified of the official decision via call.

What other costs are there?

Students will be expected to cover their own travel expenses to and from Paradise Home. If travel or medical or insurance is desired, the individual student is expected to cover this cost. Whilst at the training, Paradise will provide for all essential living necessities and regular outgoings. Anything outside of these necessities will be at the students own expense. For more details please reach out to speak to us directly.