Graduation Weekend 2026: Sent Out with Joy

What a weekend. What a class.

Graduation Weekend 2026 was everything it should be: a beautiful, full celebration of accomplishments, community, and the memories and history made together over four years at PAA.

Sabbath evening opened with Consecration, a sacred and meaningful service featuring Pastor Kevin Wilson, who challenged our graduates to lean into character, curiosity, and courage as they journey into their next steps, all with Christ as their foundation. The candlelight ceremony followed, where the Class of 2026 passed the torch to the juniors, a quiet, powerful moment of transition and trust. Both generations in the same room, the light moving from one set of hands to the next. There was not a dry eye in the place.

Sunday morning brought Commencement, full of music, celebrations, scholarships, awards, and a message from Pastor Fernando, who has walked alongside this class since their very first days at PAA. He grew up with them in a sense, learning from them and coming to love them deeply along the way. His message to them was personal and profound: you are known and loved here at PAA, by your PAA family, and by your people. But more than that, you are known and loved by God. Always. In every situation. In every moment. No matter where life takes you next, that never changes.

But the moment that will stay with us longest happened just after the ceremony ended. As the graduates made their way out to the north lawn to celebrate with family and friends, they stopped. They pulled together into a tight circle, asked Pastor Stephen for one last word, and then sang Sanctuary together one final time. Pastor Stephen prayed over them, blessing them as they stepped into whatever God has next.

And then, noise. Confetti. Laughter. Joy. Exclamations. Photos. Pride. All of it, completely earned and completely deserved.

Class of 2026, you are known. You are loved. By us, and by the God who made you and goes with you. Go change the world. We will be cheering for you every step of the way.