This past weekend fifty two excited students marched across the platform to receive their diplomas and become the 10th graduating class at Jim Elliot Christian High School. We now have over 350 alumni who are making a difference in this world after being trained, taught, discipled and mentored at this exceptional school.
Dan and I are proud to have been a part of the beginning of Jim Elliot and each year as we witness another class graduating our hearts overflow with joy and thanksgiving to God for the great things He is doing in and through these incredible young people.
This years class was an awesome example of the kind of sacrificial giving and life of service that we hope to instill in our students. They were continually giving of their time, talent and resources to bless others. They volunteered at children’s homes, pregnancy crisis centers, emergency food banks, retirement homes, hospitals, churches, tutoring elementary school students, special olympics to name a few. They opened up a snack shack during lunch and ran it all year raising over $11,000 for student tuition assistance. They held a talent show to raise funds for college scholarships for next years senior class. Several young men spent the entire year helping a handicapped girl learn to ride a bike and roller skate and in the process gave her the confidence to begin to communicate more effectively with everyone around her. And the list goes on.
One of the best examples of the type of stellar students we have is this – When I asked the student body president a few months back if he would do me a favor, without hesitation he enthusiastically responded, “Of course!”. I looked at him and said, “But John, you don’t know what it is I am going to ask you yet.” To which he replied, “It doesn’t matter what it is Mrs Lambdin, I will do it for you.” How refreshing!
It is amazing to me that these mere eighteen year olds have often done more to serve and give to others in their four years of high school than many adults have done in a lifetime. I pray that their legacy of service will touch and inspire others to begin to live a rich life that is centered on God and service rather than self centered pursuits that are ultimately empty and unfulfilling.
Congratulations Jim Elliot Christian High School Class of 2008!
Inspire Ministries 