Student of Scripture from Link Year on Vimeo.

Tanya from Link Year on Vimeo.

Biblical Worldview from Link Year on Vimeo.

Maximizing Moments from Link Year on Vimeo.

Here is our second of 7 Pillars we have at Link Year. Presented by Assistant Director Adam Martin:

Growing in Gratefulness from Link Year on Vimeo.

At the Link Year we have 7 Pillars we hope to establish within every single one of our students that completes the program. The first one I want to share with all of you is Heart Transformation. Jesus did not come to live, die, and rise so that we would modify our behavior, but rather transform our hearts. The latter will take care of the former. Have a look:

Heart Transformation from Link Year on Vimeo.

Hard to believe we are holding graduation tonight for the 2nd Link Year class! What a year it has been. Students have grown so much, even beyond my own expectations. I’m continually blown away by the work of the Lord in the lives of our students here at the Link Year. He is so faithful. We have students from this years class literally going to college campuses all over next year ready to make an impact for the cause of Christ. Some are headed to play college athletics, while others will serve in the military. Regardless of where they are going and what they are doing, we are blessed to send out 34 more students tonight into a world with a Biblical foundation that has equipped them to make an impact for His Kingdom and His Glory. Check out what my good friend and Link Year Guest Speaker has to say about the Link Year:

The following is a guest post by Tim Elmore. Tim Elmore is the president and founder of Growing Leaders. His latest book, Artificial Maturity: Helping Kids Meet the Challenge of Becoming Authentic Adults was just released in June. Tim blogs regularly which you can read here, and you can also follow him on Twitter.

A year ago, my daughter, Bethany, graduated from college and my son, Jonathan, graduated from high school. I know, I know—it sounds cliché—but it seems like we just dropped them off at their campuses yesterday. I have the privilege of interacting with thousands of students each year—but I must say, I am proud of these two.

There are many reasons why they did well—the relationships they developed, the struggles of work and classes and the challenge of serving as a leader on campus. But both had one advantage many students don’t have. Bethany maximized her experience, because she took a Gap Year between high school and college. Her younger brother, Jonathan, is finishing his own Gap Year this summer. Both benefited greatly from this year of preparation.

What Did It Look Like?

In Bethany’s final semester in high school, she and I talked about the idea of a Gap Year between high school and college. She chose to work for Growing Leaders as an intern. She traveled with me and looked at colleges, did lots of self-examination, sold products and learned to work a job. It was excellent preparation for the adult world. Jonathan is growing through the same experiences and finding his own way. Here are some of the tangible benefits I saw them receive from their Gap Year: (more…)