2000 Class Graduates

Every March, we have one of the best experiences of the year. As our "March Madness" begins, a group of battle weary, yet highly motivated faith warriors returns to us to go through what we have deemed, "Graduation." On March 8th, this banquet and ceremony took place.

34 graduates were able to attend this year. I cannot express in words the privilege and honor it is to watch these young men and women and hear their stories of God's great work over the past two years. As a clear representation of God's "royal priesthood" they "declare the priases of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). It is so fulfilling to see God at work in this powerful way!

Our theme this year was, "I will never be the same again." This grows out of a beautiful song that states that when a person walks with God by faith, they are changed forever. And that is what was presented by this graduating class: people changed forever to the glory of God. Mike Tanaro, from Paducah, KY, shared with all of us how God's people have been changed over the generations and then challenged the graduates to never give up on the God that, if allowed, will continue to change them throughout their life.

This was a great celebration and a large part of the reason that AIM keeps going: to train and send young men and women to the mission field, in order that they might use that as a foundation which will strengthen them to serve for a lifetime! May God be praised for the courageous sacrifice made by these beautiful servants of His!

Jason Thornton (AIM