AIM Class of 2002 Departs

The month of April is a very important and unique time of year around AIM because it is in April that the students of the current class finish their experience in Lubbock and depart. It is, therefore, a time both of celebration for what God has done and is doing in these students, and a time of sadness because of the need for students and staff to say "goodbye."

The class of 2002 enjoyed a final week that included special times of sharing, learning and reflection. The week began with a morning in which they reported about their work and what God had done during the "AIM challenge" week they had just finished. They shared times together with Cline Paden (Chancellor of SIBI), Kris Smith (AIM Coordinator), Jason Thornton (outgoing AIM staff coordinator) and others, in which these experienced and godly men shared from their hearts and gave final exhortations.

In their final "brown bag," the students enjoyed a meal prepared by Mrs. Terri Fanning while hearing thoughts and admonitions in some 15 or 16 letters from AIM students currently on the field. There was also a final chapel with the rest of the student body at SIBI, in which the AIM students performed a flag presentation and were sent off by the school as a whole.

Perhaps the most poignant events of the final week were the times of personal sharing and encouragement. After Wednesday night class, the students met to share with one another publicly how much they have touched each other's lives. At the conclusion of the evening, the AIM staff "showered" the students with selected scriptures to convey our admiration and joy in what they are doing.

The last two days were characterized by a similar time of sharing between students and staff, as well as the concluding send-off. After watching a 30-minute video produced by some of the assistants about this year's class, each team was prayed over and given a team picture to post on the wall of the AIM classroom.

It is with both excitement and sobriety that we send this class of 38 young men and women to serve God, His church and the lost as apprentice missionaries in 10 mission points around the world. They will be missed in Lubbock, but for them the "adventure" has just begun.

Rob Hindman (AIM '98)