After going hard for 8 months with 31 students from all over this great nation of ours I haven’t known what to do with myself these last 3 days in Branson. It’s been quiet around here without students asking good questions, desiring to be stretched, and desiring to grow. We had 4 students get baptized this year, several students learn to handle conflict in a healthy manner for the first time in their life, and all of them became more grounded in the Word.

We have students headed off to Moody Bible Institute, two of them are headed to play college football, 2 of them are headed to seminary, most of them headed  to 4 year universities, and one is even headed to the Illinois Art Institute. All of them left with a much clearer direction than what they had 8 months ago!

They were stretched from Urban Entry, they had a blast spending a month in Ireland, and now most of them are gearing up to work at Kamp this summer.

All in all it was an unbelievable year! God has been so good to us. Our inaugural class will be missed. At the same time we are pumped for some new staff we will have next fall, and we are pumped for the 2nd class. You still have time to apply for the best year of your life! What are you waiting for? Apply Now!

Luke Miller

Holy Cow! The last few weeks have been crazy! Thankfully my better half has been with me every step of the way. I’m currently in Lake Wales, Florida speaking at Warner University. But I just wanted to say 2 things today, if someone hasn’t reminded you yet, today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent season. I would encourage all of you not to treat Lent as a time to give something up so that you might lose weight, or get something out of it. But I pray that Lent season for you would be a time of pressing in to Him, dying to yourself (Phil. 1:21) and seeking Him more. To eliminate so many of our distractions so that our intimacy with Him would progress.

2nd thing, if you haven’t checked out what the Link Year has been up to in Ireland you need to do so. What a trip! Just think, if you’re 18-21 this could be you next year. Check it out: Ireland Trip

That’s right, the Kanakuk Link Year crew is headed to Northern Ireland today and tomorrow for the whole month of February. Am I excited? To say the least.  We will be learning about the history of Ireland, the Protestant/Catholic conflict, we will also be diving into some C.S. Lewis as we explore his childhood. I love, and I mean love to get students out of their comfort zones. I believe beyond our comfort zones is where life truly begins. I’ve been reading through the Old Testament and it seems time and time again God removes His people from their comfort zones. Often times when I’m removed from my comfort my idols are exposed. I believe that is why the enemy loves for us to remain in our comfort, so that we will remain blind and numb to the idols in our lives. I pray that our time in Ireland is one of growth, one that sanctifies all of us, and unifies the group as well! If you are a senior in High School or Freshman in college that needs a break who would love to go to Ireland next year come join us. We would love to have you!

Sorry I didn’t have time today to post the series I’ve been elaborating from What You Know Now That You Wish You Knew Then . I’m currently busy chasing a dream!

I’m headed to Manitou Springs, Colorado today to collaborate with some sharp minds about the Gap/Link Year experience. Some would suggest the Link Year experience will soon be the normal trend amongst High School graduates. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to my time with men who are much smarter and wiser than I. The more time I spend with High School students the more passionate I become about a program like the Link Year. It has been 3 years since God first ignited a passion in my heart to lead a ministry that would holistically make disciples. A program that would sharpen minds, engage opportunities, encounter God, experience life changing events, and build a solid foundation that would last a lifetime! And now after 32 months of prayer, tears, and sweat I feel like we’re reaching the summit! (no pun intended) This trip to Summit is so much more than another trip, it is a blessing, and I’m so excited to be a part of something so much bigger than I. Link Year class of 2012 buckle up, it’s going to be year to remember.

Kanakuk Link Year About from Joe White on Vimeo.

Several parents have addressed me in these past couple months with the concern of a Link Year. Their concerns are that if their student takes a year off from college they won’t ever go. Well statistics are saying the exact opposite. As a matter of fact, yesterday there was an interview with a Wall Street Columnist who has been researching these types of programs. Check out the 3 minute interview here:

LinkYear

For those of you who have been waiting, and for those of you who have no clue as to what to do after High School here’s your LINK, no pun intended.

Are you a senior in High School and not sure what you want to do in life? Or how about a Freshman in college that just had a horrible semester and don’t even know why you’re at college? Well if you do fit any of these profiles we might have a great solution just for you! It’s called the KANAKUK LINK YEAR. Click on the previous link to be directed to the website where you can fill out an application today! The full site will be available soon.

Wow! A lot of stuff has happened since we first posted the idea of a Gap year and told all of you we were dreaming something up. Since then several steps forward have taken place. Surveys have been sent out, meetings have taken place, and prayers have been lifted up. Most recently my wife and I met with two professors from JBU and their wives. Here's a few things we took away from that meeting: students who do the "Link" year will receive atleast 15 transferable credits. We will not be starting this program until the Fall of 2011, I know several of you wanted this next fall, sorry. It would've been rushed, sloppy, and not very wise. We still haven't decided on a name for the program, lots of good suggestions, but mainly need to run them by the boss man. The program will possibly include trips to Ireland and Israel, as well as urban entry trips to other metropolitan cities. So that is the latest. If you have any questions fill free to post them below, would love to answer them. Just want to give an extra thanks to Dr. Lambert in all this, he has been instrumental and extremely helpful in this whole process!