Sending Bethel's Senior Students with the Gospel
Bethel celebrated 26 graduating high school seniors on Sunday at the Senior Celebration. Each senior received two books, a lot of advice and most importantly, prayer. The students were prayed for by Pastors Matthew St. John and Jonas Bundy, small group leader Kimberly Bruns and Student Ministries Director Drew Zuehlke. But the most personal part of the experience was seeing each student prayed over by their family and others who care about them, said Student Ministries Assistant Anne Davis. Zuehlke echoed Davis’ sentiments.
“It was a great start to a habit of prayer for our seniors,” Zuehlke said.
Each adult in attendance received a prayer card with a picture of a student and their prayer requests as they begin the next stages of their life. Three students prayed for their fellow students and those who will keep the student ministry going, and the student ministry worship team led the audience in celebratory song.
Kimberly Bruns celebrated the growth she’s seen in the girls that she has had the privilege of working with for four years. She said that she saw God at work in the girls’ lives through the time they spent together through student ministry, church and communicating through calling, texting and even Facebook.
The biggest message communicated to the students was, “guard your heart.” Pastor Jonas Bundy quoted an Indiana Jonas film where a boy from India screams at Indiana, “Cover your heart.” The students were encouraged to guard their hearts against all the temptations they may face in college and to keep their relationship with Jesus Christ strong. This message resonated with the students and was seen later that night through the students’ Facebook posts and status updates.
Zuehlke hopes that the students will not only guard their hearts but also bring the gospel wherever God calls them next. “It’s such a joy to know we are sending out young men and women all over the country with the gospel in hand,” Zuehlke said.