Death of first-year student a sad day for Avondale
An Avondale student who died in a traffic accident Tuesday looked forward to studying chaplaincy so he could share through music his faith with others.
Lafai Michael Key, 20, was a talented musician and singer who often led praise and worship at Avondale School, Central Coast Seventh-day Adventist Community Church and at The Haven, the Adventist church on the campus of Central Coast Adventist School.
“He was meant to study teaching, but when he enrolled he changed his mind and chose ministry,” says Robert Collins, an uncle Key lived with in Cooranbong. “He wanted to get into chaplaincy to share his talents with children and young adults. He wanted to use his talent to bring people to know his God.”
Staff members and students on the Lake Macquarie campus of Avondale College of Higher Education remembered Key at the beginning of their weekly community-building event The Pulse this morning. President Professor Ray Roennfeldt prayed for Key’s family and friends then encouraged those praying with him to consider in silence the meaning of life and the meaning of Key’s life. His conclusion offered hope. “Lord, we thank you for the promises in Your Word that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We thank you for the promise that there will be a day when there will be no more death, or sorrow or pain. We all look forward to that day.”
Intermittent rain, which moved The Pulse from the lawns outside to the cafeteria inside, added to the sombre mood of what is usually a festive event.
Key, a first-year Diploma of General Studies student, had been attending classes with students from Avondale Seminary this semester—he had enrolled in the units Introduction to Theology and Gospels A. The seminary cancelled those and other classes this morning so lecturers could meet in prayer groups with students.
On-campus access to counsellors, to the chaplain and to the senior minister of Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church is also available to all students today and tomorrow.
Key died after the car he was driving collided with a school bus on Freemans Drive near the intersection of Martinsville Road in Cooranbong about 3.40 pm on Tuesday (March 15).
The Haven will host Key’s memorial service on Monday (March 21) at 4.30 pm.
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