A Word from PK President Tom Fortson

April 3, 2007

My wife and I were planning for our vacation this year and we wanted to do something different. A friend suggested “river rafting.” Exploring this option, I discovered that:

Rivers are rated using roman numerals I to VI according to the International Scale of River Difficulty. A river's level of challenge changes with fluctuations in water levels; a river rated Class IV at medium water levels might resemble a Class III river at lower water levels, while at higher levels, it might look more like a Class IV+.

Veteran rafters thrive on class III and IV rivers. Exploring further, I read that when booking your rafting trip, make sure you let the outfitter know your comfort and experience level so they can recommend the right trip for you.

Here is what I also found:

Class I
Easy - Waves small, passages clear; no serious obstacles.

Class II
Medium – Rapids of moderate difficulty with passages clear. Suitable for everyone.

Class III
Moderate – Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks; eddies; rapids with passages clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering.

Class IV
Difficult – Long rapids; waves powerful, irregular; dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; powerful and precise maneuvering required.

Class V
Extremely Difficult – Exceedingly difficult, long and violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption;, riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops; violent currents; very steep gradient. Paddlers should have prior Class IV or better whitewater experience.

Class VI
Unrunnable! - Just like it says – Don’t even think about it!

Sometimes in life, God does not give you or me the option of selecting our rivers, the raft, or the people in it. He just tells us to get on board and strap down. He then uses the strong and constant pressures to show us His all-sufficient strength and grace more effectively than if we were just riding on Class I and II. Often, there is no better way to learn rich, deep faith than to experience Class IV and V.

Where are you now? What about Class VI? No way you say! “Don’t even think about it.” Knowing God, if He is going to make you and me more like His Son Jesus Christ and impact more people, expect some runs down life’s river of “Class VI.” If He doesn’t take you, be prepared to encourage someone who has been through this run and could use your helping hand.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Your brother in Christ,

Dr. Tom Fortson
President/CEO