A Word of Encouragement for the Class of 2016

Today we celebrate a special time in the lives of our graduating seniors. It is a special time in their lives, when they make one of life’s big transitions. This transition is one that leads to more freedom and a greater responsibility in adulthood. Along with this transition there will come a great transformation. Each of these young adults will begin a new chapter as adults and leave behind the chapter of their childhood.

This new chapter will be filled with lots of important decisions like whether to continue pursuing an education or to enter into the workforce. They will decide if they will remain close to home or move to a new city. There will be lots of new faces and friends to meet along with many paths that will lead them to a unique destination.

All of this might feel overwhelming, but the chapter they are leaving has prepared them for this new one. While they will be living out new stories and adventures, they will have the wisdom they have received from their parents, teachers, mentors, and spiritual leaders. The lessons they have learned and the decisions of their past - both good and bad - will provide them with the framework for how they will go forward in the presence and power of God.

As we celebrate their accomplishment today, we also acknowledge that this end leads to a new beginning. It is the start of a journey that will lead them to the spouse they will marry, the work they will do, and the people they will call friends. The foundation of it all is their faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that He gives in the promises of His Word. As we commission them for the mission that lies ahead of them, we hold to what God has said. We remember that God is going to guide them into His perfect plan for them (Psalm 139:16). We remember that God has made them for a specific work they are to accomplish with their life (Ephesians 2:10). We remember that God will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).

While there may be some tears, there will also be lots of smiles of joy because God has been faithful to bring them this far and He has even greater things ahead of them.

Graduation

Jackson BerrymanParents: Jay & Stephanie BerrymanBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Bio Medical Engineering, University of Tennessee

John CarterParents: Jeff & Tina CarterSouth Warren High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Sydney DavenportParents: Brian & Angie DavenportSouth Warren High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Elizabeth CainParents: Shannon McPhersonWarren Central High SchoolPlans: Nuclear Power School, United States NAVY

Devanté ColtonParents: Delvin & Mary ColtonSouth Warren High SchoolPlans: Eastern Kentucky University

Blake ClearyParents: Steve & Ginger ClearyBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Business, University of Mississippi

Sydney DentonParents: Dana & Joy DentonBowling Green Christian AcademyPlans: 9-month mission trip, Biblical Studies in college

Darren BrownParents: Dale & Patti Brown

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Biology,

Western Kentucky University

Graham ChampionParents: Chris & Anne Champion

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Physical Therapy,

Western Kentucky University

Skyler CrabtreeParents: Miles & Tracie Crabtree

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Annye CarlisleParents: Jeff & MaryBeth Carlisle

Bowling Green High SchoolPlans: Bio Chemistry,

Western Kentucky University

Andrew CobbParents: Dory & Ashley Cobb

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Pre-Vet, Eastern Kentucky

University & Auburn University

Summer DavisParents: Mike & Shelly Davis

South Warren H.S./HomeschoolPlans: Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy and Music, Western Kentucky University

Lauren FrederickParents: Todd & Jill Frederick

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Daniel GarciaParents: Hollman Garcia & Mercedes LopezSouth Warren High SchoolPlans: Mechanical Engineering & Business, Western Kentucky University

Katrina HansonParents: Mark & Leny HansonBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Engineering, University of Louisville

Noah LathamParents: Sean & Lydia LathamCarol M. Gatton AcademyPlans: Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville

Chanley GrayParents: Chris Gray & Christie McIntyreWarren Central High SchoolPlans: Biology/Pediatric Oncology, University of Louisville

Cole KreileinParents: Brett & Larissa KreleinGreenwood High SchoolPlans: University of Kentucky

Joshua KimblerParents: Doug & Cindy KimblerGreenwood High SchoolPlans: Business, Western Kentucky University

Sarah McDanielParents: Kerrie McDanielBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Megan GilliamParents: Mark & Cindy Gilliam

South Warren High SchoolPlans: Biosystems Engineering &

Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky

Caleb HodnettParents: Derek & Angie Hodnett

Aaron AcademyPlans: Business/Marketing,

Western Kentucky University

Brycen LaceyParents: David & Loraine Lacey

South Warren High SchoolPlans: United States Military

Academy, West Point

Gabrielle HakParents: Ponnarom & Bunna Hak

Bowling Green High SchoolPlans: Chemistry/Psychology,

University of Louisville

Trey KirtleyParents: Sam & Heather Kirtley

South Warren High SchoolPlans: Physical Therapy,

University of Kentucky

Jeremiah LoveParents: Jerome & Katie LoveBowling Green High School

Plans: Entrepreneurship, Western Kentucky University

Nicole MillerParents: Robert & Tammy Miller

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Elementary Education, Western Kentucky University

Nick NewtonParents: Mike & Julie NewtonGreenwood High SchoolPlans: Business, University of Kentucky

Matt PinerolaParents: Jase & Natalie PinerolaBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Linguistics, The Ohio State University

Davis TaylorParents: Greg & Kathy TaylorGreenwood High SchoolPlans: Finance, Western Kentucky University

Kaylie PerkinsParents: Gary & Pam PerkinsHomeschoolPlans: Dental Hygiene, Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College

Sydney SimsParents: Hugh & Stacey SimsBowling Green High SchoolPlans: Journalism/Mass Communications, Samford University

Nathan RyanParents: Robert & JoAnn RyanGreenwood High SchoolPlans: Meteorology/Broadcasting

Payton YoungParents: Troy & Pam YoungSouth Warren High SchoolPlans: Nursing, Western Kentucky University

Nickolas PalmerParents: David & Jennifer Palmer

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Western Kentucky University

Matt PropstParents: Tom & Diana Propst

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Musical Theatre,

Western Kentucky University

Chandler StephanskiParents: John & Melissa Stephanski

South Warren High SchoolPlans: Civil Engineering,

Western Kentucky University

Noah PillowParents: Haydon & Laura Pillow

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Psychophysiology,

Lindsey Wilson College

Christian RyneParents: Ron Ryne & Angela Ryne

Warren East High SchoolPlans: Pre-Med, Union College

Teddy WaxParents: Mark & Debbie Taylor

Greenwood High SchoolPlans: Physical Therapy,

Western Kentucky University