Senior Sunday Recap

This past Sunday was our Senior Sunday, a church service where our graduating seniors shared their learnings with the church. This year featured a video produced by the seniors and a panel where six graduating seniors reflected on lessons from college and the advice they would give to younger students.

April challenged students to be intentional about building deep relationships from the start rather than waiting for others to make the first move. She encouraged students to move beyond surface-level friendships by reading God’s Word together, serving alongside one another, and pursuing a shared mission of helping others know Christ.

Daniel P.’s advice was simple: express gratitude to God and to the people He places in your life. Looking back, he recognized how mentors consistently pursued him even when he was closed off, walking with him through the valleys, and celebrating the highs together. Through communities like Noblemen and experiences such as the NYC senior mission trip, he learned that ministry is not just a college season but a lifelong calling.

Melinda encouraged students to be honest in their relationships. As she observed the depth and authenticity of relationships among mentors, she was challenged to move beyond the superficial and to be open about her own struggles. Serving alongside peers & mentors in SB, and missionaries through a quarter spent in Taiwan, she expressed how a shared mission deepens relationships and accelerates spiritual growth.

Brandon spoke about the tension of wanting to become a faithful follower of Jesus while living in a culture pulling him in different directions. He learned that becoming the person God calls you to be requires intentionally surrounding yourself with people who are already headed that direction. His advice: you become like the people you surround yourself with, so choose your community wisely!

Joy encouraged students to regularly ask themselves what matters most and why. She reflected on how easy it is to drift into comfort, lose sight of eternity, and miss opportunities to share the gospel and serve others. Her challenge was to reject apathy, live with purpose, and invest in things that will outlast this life.

John’s advice centered on one main theme: faith cannot remain theoretical. Whether through choosing church retreats, serving on mission trips, or surrendering his desire to control every outcome, he found that he grew most whenever he stepped into the unknown and trusted God. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, he learned that faith is not the absence of fear but is moving toward Jesus in spite of it.

Personally, their sharings were stirring to hear, especially having witnessed how much God has transformed each of their habits, values, and perspectives over the years. As I listened, I couldn't help but think of 2 Timothy 2:22, a verse that each of them so clearly embodied: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

We are so thankful for their time in SB & hope that they will carry these learnings with them into a life of faithfully serving Christ with others running in the same direction! Congratulations Class of 2026!

Tiffany Donaldson (c/o 2021) graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Zoology. She enjoys fishing, gardening, and grocery shopping! She is currently serving as a mentor for the senior class at acts2fellowship SB.