President Bull welcomes students to share in God’s love, love one another
To those of you who are new, welcome to Concordia! To those who are returning, welcome back to your home away from home! May God bless and guide you this year as you learn, grow, deepen existing relationships and build new ones–and as you explore how you can contribute to Concordia’s mission!
Since our foundation, Concordia has been a Christ-centered learning community. Yes, that certainly means being challenged and nurtured toward excellence in the classroom, on the competitive surface, in the performance hall, on stage, in service to the church and community, and more. It also means that each of us has the joy and calling to help make Concordia a community where we point one another to the love of God in Christ. We embrace God’s call to love our classmates, who are also our neighbors. We enjoy informal time together, challenge and encourage one another, serve together, worship together, and so much more. So much of what makes Concordia distinct is you–what you say and do as part of this community. While you are here, and after you graduate, it is God at work through you that Concordia’s mission is realized. As such, I invite you to fully embrace this opportunity to bless and befriend those around you.
Concordia is also blessed to have truly gifted and devoted faculty and staff. I know firsthand that they care deeply about you and want to play a meaningful role in your life and learning at Concordia and beyond. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them for guidance or help along the way. Far from a burden, they consider it an honor to serve and support you, and to be part of how God is shaping and equipping you for the future.
Most importantly, as you enter this new year, please know and remember that you will likely experience joys and challenges. Within both, God’s love for you in Christ is solid and certain. You are dearly loved, and this is not conditional upon your performance or achievements. In victory or defeat, regardless of your grades or performance, God’s love is for you. His promises are for you. He will never leave nor forsake you. May this Good News grant you comfort in times of challenge, courage to give your best effort even when you fear that it will not be enough, joy and gratitude amid the wins, a constant reminder that you are loved beyond measure, and a desire to share all of this with others.
