INTERN GRADUATION

Tonight, in just a few hours, our interns are graduating!

Do you know what the stat is if a student graduates High School and does no internship? Just 10%. Current trends tell us that 4% of the generation that is in school today will serve the Lord. The sad reality is that a large majority of our student's are walking away. I realize some make it back like I did after 18-months screwing up, but the reality is many do not until they have done something they regret, or worse they never make it.

Here is why I think an internship is so important for students...

• Parent's want their High School graduates to stay strong in their faith; internships provide the accountability necessary.
• Parent's want their High School graduate to do what they love; internships open the doors of possibility and send students in the God-given direction.
• Going straight from High School to College is a huge social and cultural task for most High School seniors; though some do, many do not navigate it without mediocrity of character.
  
• High School Seniors are only young and single once to dedicate a year of their life to God's purposes full-time.
• It is a statistical fact that those who complete an internship have a greater chance of staying motivated in following Christ their whole life.
• If you ask me about what a students needs to establish their life I will tell you each time, the internship.
• I don't know another way of pulling a students out of their normal routine and placing them in a setting where they become dependent on the Lord for growth.
• There is not a better way to get established in the Bible, prayer, personal time with God,
  
• missions, leadership, serving, and attitude! Seriously, there is no better way!
  

I have become absolutely convicted that internships are a necessity for every student. I used to think they were not for everyone. Not anymore. Recent stats from City Bible Church's 24-year internship study tell us that 9 in 10 who complete a 2nd year program serve God their entire life, while 5 in 10 who complete a 1 year program serve God their entire life

As parent's and pastors we must be vigilant to set our kids up for a lifetime with God. Internships are not going away; instead, I believe they will multiply nationwide 100 fold in the next couple years.

Every year out interns inspire me to be more of a man of God. As each grows into what God has called them to be I get humbled that he would use our church to be a part of that plan. If you can break away, come to graduation tonight, you'll see several young men and women who have achieved a high level of personal growth in their character, attitude and relationship with Christ.