Students celebrated with the promise of Revelation at FPU Convocation

From the first moments of Fresno Pacific University's 2024 Convocation, students knew they were at the center.

Faculty and administrators standing in colorful academic robes, as well as seated board members and staff, applauded the new class as members took their seats August 28 in a specially designated space on the main floor of the Special Events Center on the home campus. President André Stephens, Ph.D., gave them a promise: "When you leave a few years from now, as you exit the graduation arena, the faculty be lined up and will be cheering you on-rooting for you!"

In her welcome. Student Government Association President Sariya Flores sought to bring calm. "I'm still learning, we're all still learning. We walk by faithfulness," she said. God is always ahead of us, guiding our feet, she assured them, "even if we can't see the steppingstones."

As FPU celebrates its 80^th anniversary in 2024-2025, it remains "an institution founded on and steadfastly anchored in Christ," Stephens said. "Our mission is about teaching, learning and service. This happens primarily through relationship. It is embodied in the lives of the faculty, staff and students who seek to live this mission daily."

The theme verse for the year is Revelation 21:5. "² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death'^[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation means the revealing or "unveiling," Stephens said. "God announces that he has come to live with humanity forever and that he's making all things new. God will dwell or be with his people. And we will be in community with each other the way God designed it. Jesus who came in humility the first time will return in glory the second time to restore all of creation to God's original design and intention. His will will be finally done in the earth as it is in heaven."

This verse is a beautiful promise of encouragement and hope that includes everyone-including the students. "'I am making all things new' implies that this is not just a future event but also a present, ongoing action," Stephens said. "We are invited to participate in God's redemptive work by being agents of change in our families, workplaces and communities. It calls us to live out our faith in ways that bring healing, justice and restoration to the world around us."

That invitation continues throughout the students' academic career and beyond, lingering after the cheering of faculty at graduation dies down. "Whether you are preparing for a career in business, education, the sciences, nursing, the arts or any other field, I encourage you to think about how you can contribute to God's Kingdom and make a positive impact in the world," Stephens said. "By engaging both the mind and the spirit, FPU seeks to prepare students not just for successful careers, but for lives of service, leadership and Christian witness."

PHOTO: André Stephens, Ph.D., president of Fresno Pacific University, (in red) stands with faculty and administrators welcoming new students to begin 2024 Convocation and the school year on the main campus. (FPU photo by Megan LeBlanc.)

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