Friday's Top Five: Simple Prayers

I decided to follow God at the age of 25. At the time, I was attending a church in Illinois with my husband. The congregation had been praying for my salvation for years.  I’m not sure if they were so excited that they finally “reeled in a big one,” or if they were so desperate for teachers, but my hair had barely dried from my baptism before they committed me to life service in the Sunday School department.

I remember standing in front of my new class of 4- and 5-year-olds wondering what on earth I was supposed to do with them. Most of these children were already quoting John 3:16 while I was left at the front of the class, wide-eyed and trembling, screaming in my head, “John?! Which John?! There’s four John’s in this book! What are they talking about?!!!”  I didn’t think I was going to last much longer than that one class, but God had other plans for me.  

I grew up spiritually with those little people at a pace someone who had never touched a Bible could handle.  I learned simple Bible verses and simple ways to apply them to my life.  I also learned that simple prayers uttered in childlike faith hold unbelievable power.  I never really learned to pray any other way. 

Over time, I learned all the big Christian words, I studied Apologetics, I read books by authors who knew the Bible inside and out, and I heard incredible prayers by my brothers- and sisters-in-Christ that sounded like rich, vibrant poetry.  But my prayers never changed. When I tried to make them sound “all grown up,” they never felt right – it was just not how He raised me.

In the last 21 years of talking with God, I’ve experienced His “no, this is not My best for you,” His glorious “yes, your will and Mine are one,” and the frustrating, “Wait, the time is not right and one day you will understand.”  

It didn’t matter that my prayers were simple – He heard and answered each one.

Will you join me in prayer for the college today? Will you add your simple prayers, your profound prayers, and your heartfelt prayers to mine to lift up the students, the staff and the program for God’s blessing before the new school year?

Please pray for the new students as they’re packing to leave for college. Living away from their families is such a big adjustment for them. Many of the students never thought attending a college was an option, so they may not feel emotionally prepared to leave home and live with strangers for a good part of the year. Pray that God calms their fears, readies their minds for new schedules, new ways of doing things and new things to learn, and stirs up excitement in their hearts as He reveals His plan for their futures.

Pray for the returning students as they’re about to start either their major area of study or their internships. They already know the stress of college, the joy of making new friends, and the personal satisfaction of gaining in wisdom and knowledge. Pray that God helps them recall all they learned in the last year or two so they start school with confidence in their many abilities. Also, pray that these students bring real benefit and blessing to their internship sites.

Pray for the parents of our students. Letting go is hard. Pray that God brings them comfort in their sadness at saying good-bye, peace in their decisions to trust the staff at Shepherds College with the well-being of their children, and security in knowing that we place our faith in God and He is in control of this special school.

Pray for the faculty and staff of Shepherds College.  We know the value of the lives being placed in our care. Ask God for stamina to get through the tough, homesick days at the beginning of the year and all the important days of learning and growth that follow. Ask Him for sensitivity and discernment to better meet the individual needs of the students as they’re adjusting to this new phase in their lives. Ask Him for patience and wisdom as we face each day head on with all the challenges, adjustments, insecurities, excitement, enthusiasm, melancholy, happiness, busyness … everything that He chooses to pour into it.

Finally, please pray for Shepherds College as a whole. Our school is unique and we’re breaking new ground with every step forward. Pray that God blesses our efforts to bring a much needed service to people with intellectual disabilities. Pray that our campus provides a comfortable, welcoming and safe place for students to learn and grow towards Appropriate Independence.  And most importantly, pray, that in everything we do, we bring glory to God.

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”  John 14:13-14 

Thank you, dear friends.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Life's Accomplishments

Accomplishments are always something to be celebrated at Shepherds College. It doesn't matter how big or small the accomplishment is; Shepherds College believes every tiny step forward in life is a major achievement.

Graduation is definitely one of those big accomplishments.

Shepherds College celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2012 on Saturday, June 9. Friends, family, students, residents, and staff all gathered to honor the seven graduates.

Before they could graduate, the students had to get ready. The few hours before the afternoon ceremony were filled with fussing, primping, and prepping. Gowns needed to be wrinkle-free. Hats had to be pinned on straight. Tassels needed to be in the right place. The students were looking very nice.

Once the students were ready, there was some time to wind down and relax before the ceremony. Laughs and a few more memories were shared before the class headed to their graduation.

Prior to the ceremony, the audience was able to view a PowerPoint presentation which featured pictures of the graduates and faculty from the last three years. It was a beautiful way to honor the students and show their personalities, both professionally and personally.

At 1:00 p.m., commencement began with a flag processional. Seven flags were featured in the processional, including the American flag, the Christian flag, and a flag representing each state or country a graduate is from. The flag bearers also symbolized different areas of Shepherds Ministries, including a resident from Shepherds and an alum from the first graduating class of Shepherds College. It was an exciting and meaningful portion of the ceremony.

Shepherds College students and faculty followed the processional. I wonder if the first and second year students were imagining what it will be like to walk down the aisle on their graduation day.

Then, it was time for the Class of 2012 to make their debut. Their silver caps and gowns shone as they walked slowly toward the front of the gymnasium. Despite the nerves and excitement, the graduates looked confident and poised. It was a moment that everyone in the audience will remember.

After the welcome, opening prayer, and congregational song, graduate Brett read a scripture passage chosen by the graduating class. The class chose Proverbs 3:1-6. Brett read these verses that encouraged the students to follow the right path in their life.

Residential Life Staff Daniel Gaschke directed the Shepherds College Student Choir as they recited Bible verses and sang a song. The song was fun and energetic with a spiritual foundation, and it was easy to see that the students enjoyed singing it. The words encouraged the graduates to become more and more like Jesus every day.

Melissa was chosen to represent the Class of 2012 by presenting a speech. She thanked her teachers, family, friends, and internship supervisor. She shared the things she had learned at Shepherds College and explained how her life had changed during her time at Shepherds. Melissa truly had a life-changing experience at Shepherds College when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior.

"I learned to control my emotions, I learned to work as a team, and I learned in Bible class that God has a plan for me," Melissa said.

She concluded her speech with a challenge to her classmates.

"I encourage you to remember that God is always with you. Keep following God's plan for your life, even when it seems difficult," Melissa said.

Dr. Jim Pierson, Adjunct Professor of Special Education at Johnson University, delivered the commencement address. He used the class' selected scripture passage as the basis for his message. Pierson used personal stories to encourage the students to stay on the right path, maintain good reputations, trust in the Lord, and hide God's Word in their hearts.

"All of you have decided that you're going to honor God with your lives, and there is nothing more important than that," Pierson said.

He also presented the graduates with a special gift to remember this day. He gave them a wooden heart to remind them to always put God first in their lives.

Then, the moment that everyone had been waiting for arrived. As Angela Houk, the Dean of Shepherds College, read the student's names, they stepped onto the platform and received their certificates of completion from Executive Director of Shepherds College Tracy Terrill and President of Shepherds Ministries Dr. Bill Amstutz. The smiles on the students' faces easily revealed what they were feeling.

The Class of 2012 turned to face the crowd - this crowd of people who has cheered them on, helped them along, or prayed for them during their journey. It was a moment of accomplishment for everyone in the room. Terrill instructed the students to turn their tassels, and seven new graduates joined the Shepherds College alumni.

As the audience applauded, the graduates made their way back down the aisle and out the door. Friends, family, students, and staff gathered outside the Bolthouse Center to congratulate the Class of 2012. It was a time for hugs, laughter, smiles, maybe a few tears, and lots and lots of pictures.

Congratulations to the Class of 2012! You made goals, you worked hard, and you didn't give up. You have reached a wonderful achievement, and Shepherds College feels blessed to have seen you learn and grow. We will miss you, but we know that God has great things planned for your life. Remember to follow Him in all that you do because following after God is the only thing that brings you real success.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.org.