by Julie Rodgers
Gold and black balloons floated above every table at Mercy Street, and large banners hung from the rafters, saying: “Congratulations Mercy Street Graduates!” On May 12th, we celebrated the first class of seniors that had made the 8 year journey with their mentors—all the way from their scrawny little 4th grade days to the proud moment when they walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas.
To an innocent bystander, it looked like a group of typical high school kids: fun-loving, care-free jokesters who are on a roller coaster catapulting them into college campuses and careers. But to Catherine Richards, Nathaniel Eubanks, Terese Stevenson, Alan Morrison, and a slew of other mentors, it was a group of young heroes who have persevered through countless obstacles during the past 8 years to arrive at this milestone—high school graduation.
Trey Hill challenged the students to remain planted in fertile soil, so they might grow into oaks of righteousness like those described in Isaiah 61. He said that in order for a tree to be successfully transplanted, it’s essential for some of the soil in which it was originally planted to be carried with the tree into its new environment. In the same way, our seniors will need to remain rooted in the rich soil that’s enabled them to flourish into the men and women they are today: their families, mentors, positive friendships, and (most importantly) their relationship with the Lord. He encouraged them to continue nurturing these relationships as they enter into the next phase of their lives, rather than cutting old ties and creating a whole new identity.
The students wrapped up the celebration with reports about where they will be going as they enter into the next phase of their lives. Most of them are college-bound, with some attending four year universities like UTA or TWU, and some phasing in slowly at El Centro or Mountain View Community College. Each one of them is thinking critically about the future, however, and each is grateful for those who have been beside them when the future didn’t look near as promising as it does today. We saw a glimpse of the dream of Mercy Street taking root at the graduation celebration, signs of a new generation of leaders slowly growing into oaks of
righteousness that will point our community toward a mighty Savior!
Trey Hill challenged the students to remain planted in fertile soil, so they might grow into oaks of righteousness like those described in Isaiah 61. He said that in order for a tree to be successfully transplanted, it’s essential for some of the soil in which it was originally planted to be carried with the tree into its new environment. In the same way, our seniors will need to remain rooted in the rich soil that’s enabled them to flourish into the men and women they are today: their families, mentors, positive friendships, and (most importantly) their relationship with the Lord. He encouraged them to continue nurturing these relationships as they enter into the next phase of their lives, rather than cutting old ties and creating a whole new identity.The students wrapped up the celebration with reports about where they will be going as they enter into the next phase of their lives. Most of them are college-bound, with some attending four year universities like UTA or TWU, and some phasing in slowly at El Centro or Mountain View Community College. Each one of them is thinking critically about the future, however, and each is grateful for those who have been beside them when the future didn’t look near as promising as it does today. We saw a glimpse of the dream of Mercy Street taking root at the graduation celebration, signs of a new generation of leaders slowly growing into oaks of
righteousness that will point our community toward a mighty Savior!
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