I am working feverishly to get caught up on my time-sensitive projects so I can begin some family vacation, but wanted to take a few minutes to update you on the end-of-the year events that you were praying for. Celebration weekend was amazing! Here is a  breakdown on what took place May 24-26:

Thursday night we had our annual Bachelor Dinner in honor of our one graduate getting a bachelors degree. Sarah and I hosted the event at our house for fulltime students and staff. After dinner and storytelling outside (pictured left) we went inside and prayed for Josh’s future (picture right). Josh has applied and been accepted to join the IBC staff as an apprentice to take the future new Director of Work position!

The Ribbon-Cutting for the new building on Friday morning was a great success. Guests included visitors from multiple states, several of the financial partners that helped make the project possible, and officials from our city and Chamber of Commerce—including the mayor! It was a great celebration of God’s great provision.

The ribbon-cutting was followed by a catered lunch and the Student Ministry Showcase in our new Student Center building—the first of many events in our new campus space. The Showcase (pictured below) had a packed house with 80 people for the presentations, which included art, drama, music, video, creative writing, and a first-person sermon!

Saturday morning started with our annual Alumni Breakfast, which is always an enjoyable reunion. We had several alumni with us that we hadn’t seen in years. This was followed by the Graduate Lunch (pictured below) in which we speak words of affirmation
and challenge to each graduate. About 160 people attended the lunch.

Commencement was an amazing celebration, with almost 300 people in attendance! A record-breaking 22 students received a certificate or diploma, including six part-time students! Four of these part-time students completed the Christian Ministry Certificate through our extension program on the Navajo reservation, which was huge achievement for them and for IBC! The picture below
has 20 of the 22 graduates. We praise God for all He has done to bring about such great victories for our students! Each of you who partnered with us this year in some way—this was your Celebration Weekend too! Make plans to join us for next year’s festivities,
scheduled for May 17-18, 2019.