Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads
Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads

Pastor Buys, Drives Bus to Provide Children with Adventist Education

By PAOLA MORA ZEPEDA

Thang Mang, pastor at Bowling Green Zomi, Ky., Church, poses with students in front of their church’s minibus. Mang, who says he believes in the importance of an Adventist education, drives the minibus Monday through Friday, about 20 hours each week, so that the children in his church can attend Highland, Tenn., Elementary.

Paola Mora Zepeda

The $7,500 minibus that Bowling Green Zomi, Ky., Church purchased. The bus was bought thanks to the support of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, an anonymous donor and Bowling Green Zomi Church members.

Paola Mora Zepeda

Thang Mang is the pastor at Bowling Green Zomi, Ky., Church. He volunteered to drive the children at his church to Highland, Tenn., Elementary, so they could receive an Adventist education.

Paola Mora Zepeda

Thang Mang, pastor at Bowling Green Zomi, Ky., Church, wanted the children in his congregation to receive an Adventist education. However, the closest Adventist school was an hour away: Highland, Tenn., Elementary. Without a way of transportation, the church families could not send their children to this school even if they wanted.

For two years, Mang used his own van to drive six children from his church who were enrolled in Highland Elementary School, but he wanted to do more. “I spoke with my church family and found out they were willing to commit [sending] their children to a private Adventist school,” Mang said. “So, I went from having to drive six students to 16. So, you know, I needed a bigger van.” After prayer and research, Mang was able to get support from the Kentucky- Tennessee Conference, an anonymous donor, and his church to purchase a $7,500 minibus. According to Mang, the minibus’ insurance is paid through his church’s budget, while parents split the bill for gas, which ends up being more than $1,000 a month. Every week from Monday to Friday, Mang drives a total of four hours a day to pick up and drop off the children. “[Driving the bus] is a very important ministry to me,” Mang said. “I believe Adventist education makes a difference. The Bible says that if you teach a child the way of the Lord, even when they grow up, they will not be estranged from His path …. I drive 16 children in my minibus. My hope is each will accept Jesus as their Savior.”

Kentucky-Tennessee | October 2021

  • Chosen Camporee, Kentucky-Tennessee, Kentucky-Tennessee News, News
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Recent Articles

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages
  • Southern Partners with GNTC for Adult Learning

The Southern Tidings is the official publication of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SUBMIT A STORY

Recent Posts

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages

Southern Tidings

P.O. Box 923868
Peachtree Corners, GA 30010-3868
770.408.1800
© SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS