Hartland College:
Continuing the Legacy of Self-Supporting Education by Shaping Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs
Nestled in the rural, forested hills of Rapidan, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hartland College has sought to embody the concept of wholistic education since its founding in 1983. Rooted in the original model of education established by Ellen G. White and the founders of Madison College, Hartland’s mission remains clear in 2025: to train young people for service, not just in traditional ministry but as professional missionaries equipped for careers or entrepreneurship in diverse fields.
President Norbert Restrepo explains the college’s purpose as training students for a modern mission work—equipping them with the tools, the faith, and the drive to share the gospel wherever they are called. This vision aligns with White’s counsel that “the work of education and the work of redemption are one” and is integrated throughout Hartland’s structure, from the daily schedule to long-term development plans.
A Day in the Life
The daily rhythm at Hartland is structured to nurture growth across all aspects of students’ lives. Mornings begin with chapel services for worship, followed by classes that combine intellectual and spiritual study. Each student takes core courses—Bible studies, agriculture, health principles, and physical fitness—designed to educate the whole person.
“Hartland’s emphasis on wholistic education drew me in,” shares Jayson Hutchison, a second-year Bible Instruction major. “I wasn’t looking for a degree. I needed practical training for the mission field.” For Hutchison, Hartland has provided not only a strong academic foundation but also real-world training and mentorship, all of which have illuminated his calling.
Programs with a Mission Focus
Hartland’s degree programs are specifically designed to prepare students for mission-driven careers. The college offers majors in Health Science, Bible Instruction, Pastoral Evangelism, Media and Communication, Christian Elementary Education, and an upcoming program in Biblical Psychology. Each program focuses on imparting knowledge alongside vocational skills, rooted in the mission of a practical, faith-centered education.
For instance, Health Science majors study subjects like anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. The program’s emphasis on lifestyle and natural remedies aligns with Adventist health principles, preparing graduates to serve as health educators or pursue medical studies if desired.
Clay Tan, a former Health Science and Pastoral Evangelism major, describes how his studies prepared him for mission work. “Hartland is unique in its mission-minded approach, training young people not only intellectually but also helping them experience Jesus,” he shares. Inspired by Hartland, Tan founded EMET (Emerald Missionary and Evangelistic Training) in Thailand, a self-supporting missionary school that now serves 49 students.
A Powerful Beginning
Hartland’s Summer Outreach Training School is a defining experience for new students. This program, which takes place before the first quarter, immerses freshmen in intensive evangelism training before they even begin their regular classes. The summer curriculum includes workshops led by seasoned missionaries and evangelists, such as Mark Finley and Scott Griswold, who teach students essential skills for effective soul-winning. This training includes Bible study techniques, community outreach, and health ministry, creating a foundation that guides students through their entire Hartland journey.
For incoming students like Hutchison, the summer program sets the tone for Hartland’s mission. “It’s a great place to get grounded, spiritually and intellectually,” he reflects. “I was very nervous, but God reminded me that this training is what I needed.” The summer quarter immerses students in real-life outreach scenarios and provides the mentorship and peer connections they’ll rely on throughout their time at Hartland.
Bethany Nicholaides, a self-described “missionary kid” who grew up in Cambodia and realized her love of teaching through the experience, chose to study elementary education at Hartland. She appreciates the mission focus of Hartland. “Here at Hartland, everything revolves around mission work and preparing you to go out as a missionary,” she shares.
A Pathway to Self-Sufficiency
Hartland’s commitment to self-supporting education extends beyond academics. Through its Work Education Program, students work 12 hours per week on campus, helping cover tuition while gaining practical skills. The program allows students to work in areas related to their majors while also contributing to the college’s missional enterprises. Some of the jobs students can do include working at the Wellness Center, particularly for health science students; assisting with the hospitality business, which includes managing cabins and rooms; helping with media projects, such as developing videos or setting up websites for other ministries; participating in agricultural activities on campus; supporting the college’s food service operations; and assisting with maintenance and grounds keeping. This program not only helps fund students’ education but also instills a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
The Wellness Center, which treats lifestyle diseases, provides Health Science students with direct patient interaction. “We focus on lifestyle diseases and also provide support to individuals with cancer,” Restrepo explains. The hands-on training prepares students for service-oriented careers while reinforcing principles of self-sufficiency and community care.
Entrepreneurial Skills and Ministry
Hartland’s entrepreneurship program encourages students to start their own mission-driven initiatives. Through three entrepreneurship courses—Faith and Entrepreneurship, Faith and Finance, and Ministry Leadership—students develop projects tied to their studies, allowing them to graduate equipped to launch sustainable, faith-based initiatives. The goal is to ensure that Hartland graduates not only complete their degrees but also leave with the confidence and practical skills to lead their own missional enterprises, bridging the gap between faith and vocation.
Some students pursue digital marketing skills to support Adventist ministries, while others train as health coaches or Bible instructors. Restrepo describes the program’s intent: “We want students to graduate ready to start mission-driven initiatives, equipped with both faith and practical skills.”
Thomas Mayhew, a theology graduate now pastoring in Michigan, credits Hartland’s Church Commitment program and internships with shaping his pastoral skills. “Hartland’s Theology degree was really what set the foundation for my ministry today. It gave me the solid biblical foundation I needed, along with practical experience.” This experience gave him skills he otherwise would have lacked, reinforcing Hartland’s hands-on approach.
Living Out Their Calling
Hartland’s impact extends beyond graduation, helping students from diverse backgrounds find their callings in unique ways. Tan’s journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to founding EMET demonstrates the lasting influence of Hartland’s model. “Hartland opened my eyes to the need to extend the experience I had there to others,” he says. His school, EMET, offers mission-focused education to young people in Thailand, extending the reach of faith and self-sufficiency.
For Hutchison, Hartland has been a place to deepen his faith and distill his purpose. “Hartland has changed my life. I’m a very different person now than when I first started. My time at Hartland has softened my heart so that I care even more about the unreached.”
A Vision for Growth
As Hartland grows, the college aims to expand its facilities and earn accreditation. This development would allow students to pursue advanced studies or vocational opportunities without compromising their faith-centered education. “We’re now aiming for accreditation, ensuring our graduates can serve in both self-supporting and professional environments,” Restrepo explains.
This balance between practical education and spiritual depth draws students who seek both personal growth and the tools to make a meaningful impact.
Building a Legacy of Service
Graduates like Tan, who now leads young people in Thailand, and Mayhew, who pastors in Michigan, showcase the reach of Hartland’s model. The college’s blend of academics, practical and entrepreneurial skills, and spiritual grounding equips students with a foundation for service and leadership. For Nicholaides, who is unsure of where God will call her in the mission field, Hartland has provided a unique family of like-minded students and dedicated staff who are preparing her for whatever comes.
As Hartland looks toward the future, with plans to increase its student capacity to 250, it remains rooted in the principles laid out by White, preparing students to serve both God and humanity. By combining academics with entrepreneurial training and a heart for mission, Hartland’s aim is that students grow in every dimension, carrying forward the Adventist message with conviction and ultimately fulfilling the call to serve God and His people.
Inside ASI editorial team.