Graduation Festivities (May 18, 2009)
This week concluded our graduation festivities for Grace Christian School. On Thursday evening, Todd Sasek, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Great Falls, Montana, and long-time director of Southland Christian Camp in Ringgold, Louisiana, was our Baccalaureate speaker. Todd delivered a wonderful message from Psalm 37 encouraging our graduates to be secure, satisfied, steadfast, and silent. You can listen to his message by logging on to our website. It was our privilege to present Pastor Sasek with the Chris Hanks Award. The Chris Hanks Award, given in honor of our long-time former youth pastor, is given to a man of God who has greatly impacted America's youth. Todd has done a wonderful work in the lives our young people through the years at Southland, and it was our privilege to honor him for doing so.
On Friday morning, our annual awards chapel was conducted. Among the recipients of special recognition were Daniel Liedtke who placed first in the nation in fine arts competition for classical piano duet, Tyler Wood whose writings on the state of Georgia earned him a reception with the governor today, and Ryan Butler who was Georgia's best expository preacher. We praise the Lord for these and many others who were rewarded for excellent academic achievement.
After a concluding luncheon with our teachers, we gathered again in the auditorium of Grace for the 27th annual commencement exercises of Grace Christian School. Our featured speaker was Dr. Joel Mullenix, the vice president of Pensacola Christian College. Dr. Mullenix, a dear friend to this preacher, presented some wonderful attributes from the life of David that should characterize each graduate. It was a timely address.
Also at commencement, Dan Liedtke, who will be studying music and Bible translation at Pensacola Chrisian, delivered the valedictory address, while DeBorah Jordan was our salutatorian. Deborah also received the President's Award for exemplifying the characteristics we most desire in our graduates. Trina Lyles was given the teacher of the year award for her fantastic performance as our daycare supervisor and K-4 teacher. Ryan Butler was given the Preacher Boy of the Year Award.
On Sunday, our "teen theme" continued. I preached Sunday morning on "Teen Challenge" from the life of Daniel. The altar was filled, and you can listen to the message by logging on to our website.
Last night, our annual teen service was held. The teens provided all the choir and special music. They covered virtually every aspect of the service. Ryan Butler preached a good message on the "University of Adversity," and the night was concluded with a powerful message from our youth pastor, Brandon Chambers, on how youth pastors are "Bridge Builders." It was a great day!
Our buses were slightly up from previous weeks. Four children prayed to receive Christ as Savior in the counseling center of bus church. We have seen ten kids accept Christ in the last two weeks. Praise the Lord!
On the base this week, we ministered to 193 soldiers. 45 of these included army officers who gathered for a special prayer breakfast on Wednesday morning. What a privilege it was for me to preach on family issues to these men and women. Thanks to the Ingrams for making this possible. All totaled, we saw 16 soldiers stand to receive Christ in our various Bible studies this week. We praise the Lord for the way He is using our military ministry.
Our chapel in Lumpkin also had slightly increased attendance yesterday. We praise the Lord for this.
All totaled, we saw 613 in Sunday School yesterday with 646 for the morning worship service. Amen!
Our new national radio broadcast, A Touch of Grace, will be presented to various radio markets this week. Pray that God will give our new outreach a wide circulation.
Also, we are hopeful that our new website will be up and runing this week. Continue to log on. I think you will be impressed with the changes.
Keep praying for us. We can never have too much prayer.