Celebrating Our 2023 Grads!
One of my son’s favourite Youtube channels is a group called Yes Theory whose tagline is “Seek Discomfort”. This group of global adventurers has made an entire brand out of stepping out of their comfort zones to be forced to grow and change for the better. Their belief is that when we change, we have a chance to impact the world for good. He has been following their content for years.
One day, I asked him about it and he told me that he believes that they are actually doing what God is calling us all to do—to get out of our comfort zones to force ourselves to grow and change and become the people God called us to be.
It reminded me of the words of Paul in Philippians 2:5-9.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross.
Here we will be highlighting just a few of our Class of 2023 grads, sharing a little bit about them as well as sharing what’s next. Would you partner with me in celebrating them and praying for them?
KARL
Age: 18 years old
What are your plans for next year?
“I’ll be heading to Ambrose to get a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Drumming!”
How can we pray for you?
“I would love prayer for focus, and for the Spirit of God to fill my study and give me a reason to keep pushing forward!”
SARAH
Age: 18 years old
What are your plans for next year?
“I want to go to Vancouver Film School and hopefully become an animator or a movie actress!”
How can we pray for you?
“I would appreciate prayer for passing my English exam.”
CADE
Age: 17 years old
What are your plans for next year?
“I’m going to Berklee College of Music in Spain, and I am hoping to become a music producer and make good music!”
How can we pray for you?
“I would love prayer for all of the visa and passport things to work out so that my whole family and I can go to Spain!”
ETHAN
Age: 17 years old
What are your plans for next year?
“I will be going to SAIT for software development.”
How can we pray for you?
“Please pray that I’ll be able to understand my program next year at school!”
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I encourage all of you, as grads, to find ways to grow and change and become the people God designed you to be. Unfortunately, God’s shaping is not always fun, it is not always easy and it does not often lead us in ways that are comfortable but I pray that you will be willing to seek discomfort for the sake of becoming who God designed you to be.
Last of all, a huge congratulations to all of you. You have been on an amazing, sometimes grueling, sometimes arduous journey to get here. This may be the end of high school but this is clearly not the end of learning. In his ground breaking book Leading Change John Kotter writes this, “In the twenty-first century, I think we will see more of these remarkable leaders who develop their skills through lifelong learning, because that pattern of growth is increasingly being rewarded by a rapidly changing environment… As the rate of change increases, the willingness and ability to keep developing become central to career success for individuals and to economic success for organizations.” (John Kotter, Leading Change, 1996, p.178)
As lifelong learners I pray these words from Colossians 3:12-15 over you.
Therefore, As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Finally, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Go forth, class of 2023 and change the world.
Written by Chet Kennedy, Student Ministries Team Lead. Curious about the upcoming summer events in Student Ministries? Check out our Summer Guide!
