Graduation day on May 9 marked more than just receiving high school diplomas for Kyle, Elijah and Taj. For the three Good News Boys Home Academy seniors it also meant entering the next phase of their lives committed to Jesus Christ.

The 18-year-olds came to the Boys Home rebellious and ensnared by destructive habits. Over time, and through the loving and corrective guidance of Academy teachers and staff, they turned away from their sinful pasts and turned toward God. Let’s meet the Class of 2025:

“My life has taken a complete 180,” the Arkansas native said. “I was in and out of jail, on drugs and drinking alcohol daily, fighting and involved in some gang activity. When I came here it took some time but now I’m headed in a completely different direction.” An unbeliever two years ago, Kyle gave his life to Christ during the Boys Home’s 40-Day Summer Challenge. That fall he was enrolled in the Academy. His attitude and grades improved and he learned that living for self leads to pain and trouble. Kyle is now residing temporarily at the Good News Men’s Shelter as he pursues a welding apprenticeship through Purposeful Design, a faith-based Indianapolis custom furniture manufacturer that hires homeless and downtrodden men.

Born in the Republic of the Congo but adopted at age 5 by a Christian couple in Illinois, Elijah accepted Christ as his Savior as a high school freshman but soon fell away in defiant disobedience. His adoptive father sent him to the 40-Day Summer Challenge three years ago. Like Kyle, Elijah stayed on as an Academy student. The Boys Home provided Elijah much-needed structure and Godly mentors. “I tried making it on my own and that’s when I realized I needed God’s help and having Him in my life. The Academy provides you a good chance to learn if you need help because the teachers aren’t always busy bouncing back and forth between 25 students.” Elijah will continue his education at the College of Lake County near Chicago, where he’ll study automotive mechanics.

The aunt he was living with in Georgia had tried everything to get Taj to quit using marijuana, staying out late and disrespecting her. Out of desperation, she put him on a one-way flight to Indiana and the Boys Home. Within a few months of arriving at the Boys Home in 2022, Taj believed the Gospel and put his faith in Jesus Christ. “Before I came to Good News there was no relationship with God at all,” he said. “I just wanted to do my own thing. That landed me here. Obviously my own thing wasn’t the right thing to do. Me trying to follow God and His ways has been a lot more rewarding and productive for me.” Taj excelled at the Academy. His good behavior earned him unprecedented privileges under the Boys Home’s Tier promotion program, as he was the first student to reach Tier 5 out of 6 total. This fall Taj will enter Pensacola Christian College in Florida to study youth ministry.

Please pray our three graduates will continue to remain faithful to God and His plan for their lives.