Wow, it is so quiet around here since the awesome ABC students have departed to their homes! I miss them so much so I decided to write a little tribute to them.

I have the honor of working across the hall from where the ABC classes take place, here at the home office of United Church of God. So I rub shoulders with all of the students in the course of the day. I get to know many of them on a personal level. Every year I promise myself I will not get close to the next year’s class because it is rough saying good-bye. But I always do.

To witness young and old alike travel from all over the United States, and internationally, to attend ABC is amazing! It is a huge sacrifice for them to take nine months out of the year to attend ABC. It is not an easy thing to do. Some have worked hard and saved money to come, while others have to seek employment here. Finding jobs here is not easy. Steve Myers with humor said to the class one day, “Dear mom and dad, I am here at ABC, please send me money—Little Johnny.”  So it is advised to not depend on getting a job here, but save money and be prepared before coming, because it is tough.

Each year it seems that the ABC class takes on a new and different personality from the years before. Personalities are drawn together that perfectly fit. It’s like God handpicked them for that particular class year. The class of 2013 seemed to be the hugging class, and I heard that started with the two brothers, Caleb and Kody Kinsella. It was amusing to see the students hugging each other and, yes, I was the recipient of many of those hugs! Many would always come into the mailroom and say hello. They seemed to be very supportive and encouraging of one another.

It was cool to see the different personalities of the students and discover the different backgrounds that they come from. Dealing with the different personalities on their part can be a learning curve for them as they work hard to mesh together, as house mates, and class mates. They also have to get use to the very busy schedule which includes all-day classes and some off to their jobs afterwards. It can be overwhelming and exhausting. After classes most students are involved with service projects, and let me not forget to mention the choir that most were involved with.  And, of course, how can you sacrifice your social time here?

They all worked so hard on the projects throughout the year. The Bible cards that they designed and sold were a huge success! Then there were the other service projects, such as visiting the widows and the shuts in, and the finale of them all, the charity auction.

While listening to them practice their different skits and music, I wondered if they would pull it off and be ready for the charity auction. I was so thankful at the last minute when it all came together and they did pull it off! I loved all of their skits and laughed the whole time. Prisca Myers pretending to be her father, Steve Myers, as a news reporter was so funny. The class did not disappoint the audience that came out to support the charity auction.

Amy Bates knocked it out of the ball park with her decorations for the charity auction, done in a movie theme, which appealed to us Baby Boomers. I loved the photos of the students along the wall, on mock magazine covers and movie covers. Corey Gennaro was little Timmy with “Lassie,” and Corey looked just like Timmy. “The Twilight Zone.” with Derek Riess, and Danny Burchard’s photo with Alyssa Archer, “I Dream of Jeannie” was so cute.

The students raised $8,000 that night, which far exceeded their goal of $7,000. The money will be used to drill a bore hole in Zambia, which will have water all year round, and will benefit a whole community. Their hard work paid off.

Some of the activities that they shared together were; the welcoming in picnic, the Winter Family Weekend, a black and white dance, spirit week, Super Bowl party, ABC gym Nnight, Reds games, class trip to Missouri, and much much more. “Long Days, Short Nights” was a well thought out phrase for the ABC 2013 Pictorial! Because that is how it was for these students.

The ABC chorale visited at least eight different churches where they performed outstanding pieces. It took a huge amount of work and many hours of practice after class. 28 students, out of 36, took part in the ABC Chorale. The choir proves each year to be a miracle for Kenny Shoemaker, the choir director. He takes all those different personalities, different levels of music experience, different voices and blends them together. I had chills at the graduation ceremony as they belted out their last performances. It was awesome and Spirit filled!

The Feast sites were well represented by our ABC students this year, which covered two continents, six countries, seven states and 14 cities.

There was also speech class that many were involved in. I remember laughing so hard as Stephanie McClain gave her speech about her clunker of a car. The speech class also paid off for the youngest student in the class Danny Burchard, when he gave his very first sermonette at Cincinnati East congregation. I was so proud of Danny stepping up to the plate. Danny reminded me of King David stepping up to fight Goliath. When you have to speak in front of an audience, which includes many experienced ministers, it can be a bit frightening. Corey Gennaro also gave a sermonette that day and did an amazing job! In one of the classes, Darris McNeely said it well, “to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.” I was so proud of those two young men that day, for they got out of the boat and walked on water. This was one more experiences they would not have had, had they not attended ABC.

Watching the students throughout the year progress, and grow, was so awesome! While they were extremely busy with so many things, they did not forget the most important thing of all, their relationship with God. I would have to say, out of all the classes throughout the years, I believe more were baptized out of the class of 2013 than any other year. Wow! Over 20 students were baptized this year. Now that is bearing fruit. As Gary Antion told the class, “Be the best that you can be and never settle for less.” Being the best comes first from seeking God and His Holy Spirit. So many of the students took that first and all important step this year to be baptized.

I especially appreciate the ABC alumni who were there to be great mentors, encouragers, big brothers and sisters to many of you, such as David Browning. Former ABC students do make a difference in the lives of the ABC students! They have been there and done it! They know the entire pit falls, the ups and downs. I am reminded of Aaron Dean’s remark to the students, “We are here to serve others, not to be served.” Our former ABC students do that!

Now class of 2013 you are a former ABC student and you must become the mentors, set the example, if not here at the home office, in your local congregations. Become mentors to the young teens that will be looking up to you as examples.

And for those ABC students who are returning home, good for you! I admire your decision to do so. Your churches need your service and example. Darris McNeely reminded the students that, “A relationship with Jesus Christ requires each of us to leave our comfort zone and follow Him.” That means moving forward and not looking back. Always trust God on your journey forward, to His Kingdom, that He will take care of you, never, never leave you and use you for His great purpose.

Yes, the halls are quiet now and I miss their hugs, but I am so assured that they received all that they came for and more. They were filled to the brim spiritually and socially. Although I miss them all, I smile with the assurance that these awesome men and women will be great leaders in the church. Why? Because they are driven, hard workers, respectful, loving and all have hearts of gold. And they were reminded by Gary Antion, “Have the strength and heart that comes from God.” Steve Myers also reminded the class, “It takes a life of purpose and commitment to leave a faithful legacy.” Well done class of 2013!

If you are thinking about attending ABC, do it! It will be an experience you will never forget. You will be filled with God’s word from all the very caring teachers here. You will learn many life’s lessons and you will build bonds of friendship you will never forget. Most of all it will be an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your Father in Heaven.

You will be given tools that will equip you to go back and serve the church and serve in your community. It is so worth the nine months and so much more.  “God expects more from us than anyone else,” Randy Stiver reminded the class. That goes for all of us. So step out of the boat, step out of your comfort zone and walk on water! It might be attending ABC!