FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 11, 2008 – A new technology resource with messages for graduating seniors aims to keep young people connected to their faith once they leave home. The ConGRADulations! CD/DVD/Gift Book graduation gift, produced by interlínc, features some of the top artist-songwriters in Christian music bringing songs and video counsel dealing with the key issues of this major life transition: the future, success, friends and personal faith.

This year’s artists include Switchfoot, tobyMac, Relient K, Flyleaf, Leeland, Family Force 5, Stellar Kart, and many others.

“We believe that this is way more than a gift,” said Allen Weed, president of interlínc, which produces ConGRADulations! “’iM4u’ is a personal statement to graduates in their own texting language. It serves as a tool to celebrate an important life milestone and to provide a lifeline as grads jump into this pivotal transition.”

Along with the music CD, the set contains a 48-page graphic gift book with artist song lyrics and quotes from featured graduates, which is a new feature this year. The DVD contains video testimonies from fellow 2008 graduates, including Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton, and also features “What I’ve Learned” videos from graduates featured in previous years who offer real, road-tested advice. The resource Web site, grad2008.com, offers an online devotional journal, grad book excerpts, an online Bible, links to top college and young adult ministries and a year-in-review video. Also new for 2008, the set features a customizable gift package for inclusion of personal notes and gift cards.

“This project is timelier than ever. A recent Pew study on religion shows that 25 percent of young people aged 18-29 are unaffiliated with a religious group compared with an average of about 16 percent of all other adults,” said Weed. “The Class of 2008 needs guidance through this transition. We know that their music collection will go with them when they leave their parents and their youth group.”

With over 1 million copies given to grads by 25,000 churches, ConGRADulations! is the No. 1 graduation gift of this decade. Since 1990, the annual graduation gift has used the language of the era to speak to graduates about life’s important choices. Back then, it was music on a simple audio cassette. Now, it has expanded to a music CD, a DVD, and a gift book, as well as an online component.

“Technology is the primary means of communication for the YouTube, MySpace generation,” continues Weed. “We are utilizing music, videos and the Web to encourage them to make wise choices for the future.”

Based in Franklin, Tenn., interlínc links the resources of the Christian music industry with the needs of youth ministry, recognizing that music is one of the most powerful forces affecting youth culture today and that today’s Christian music has the content to encourage, convict and change lives. For more information, see interlinc-online.com.

The ConGRADulations! Class of 2008 project is available online at grad2008.com, or by calling interlínc at 800-725-3300. Suggested retail for the CD/DVD set is $12.95, with special bulk pricing for youth workers and churches.

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