By Paul Richardson
Before the back-to-school season begins, MSI leaders in Indonesia first come together in prayer. They gather to seek God’s direction and discern a theme that will shape teaching and spiritual growth across 113 educational sites. For 2026–2027, God’s invitation is to “Speak Life.”
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Many of us live in a world filled with noise—gossip, bullying, criticism, sarcasm, online attacks, and endless streams of words that accomplish little and often cause harm. Too many relationships are damaged not by actions, but by conversations. Too many conflicts grow because people talk about one another instead of talking to one another. Too many young people carry wounds created by careless words.
This year at Mustard Seed schools, we are choosing a different path.
Our theme for 2026–2027 is Speak Life.
The story begins in Genesis 1. The earth was formless, empty, and covered in darkness. God looked into the chaos and spoke: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Communication is not merely a human skill; it is part of God’s nature. Creation itself began with words that brought order, beauty, and life.
Centuries later, Jesus stood before a crowd of ordinary people—the poor, the forgotten, the oppressed, the uneducated, and the lost. Looking at them, He declared: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What God spoke over creation, Jesus now spoke over people. He saw potential where others saw weakness. He spoke life where others saw limitations.
As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same.
Speak Life is a commitment to build a culture where words are used to strengthen rather than destroy. We want to eliminate gossip, destructive speech, and low-quality communication from our ethos. Instead, we want our conversations to be marked by truth, encouragement, wisdom, and courage.
Scripture reminds us: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Ephesians 4:29). We are called to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). We are instructed to practice “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Throughout this year, students and staff will learn how to communicate with excellence: resolving conflict with integrity, listening with empathy, encouraging others, telling meaningful stories, writing effectively, and sharing the Gospel clearly. We will learn that words can heal, unite, inspire, and create possibilities.
Across our schools, we believe communication is sacred. Every conversation is an opportunity to bring light into darkness, hope into discouragement, and truth into confusion. This year, let us become people who speak life.
“The tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
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Main photo: A village teacher in Sumba shares a story with her students, an everyday opportunity to encourage, build confidence, and “speak life” into a child.
