Convocation and the CU Confession Anchor Cornerstone’s 2023 Academic Year

At Cornerstone University, Convocation is not merely a customary gathering. It is a sacred, time-honored expression of the university’s commitments to the centrality of Scripture, the CU Confession and a beautiful 82-year mission to transform the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also serves as a time of reflection that as an academic institution, Cornerstone University commits to educate minds and nurture spirits to glorify God in all we think, say, and do.

During the Sept. 6 Convocation, the university welcomed 100 new student leaders as well as 45 new faculty and staff by prayerfully anchoring each individual and the work of our beautiful mission to God’s purposes and biblical foundations.

The gathering began with shared worship and three foundational Scriptures. Romans 12:3-10 encourages the recognition that the Church as Christ-followers is one body with many different God-given gifts and contributions. John 15:9-17, the basis for this year’s theme Christ Our Greatest Friend, emphasizes Christ’s profound love and selfless sacrifice for the Father and all creation. And, 2 Peter 3:8-18, presents a call to live Godly, holy lives.

President Gerson Moreno-Riaño presented and explored the profound Biblical elements of the CU Confession, a testament to our Christian worldview, theological beliefs and commitments for daily living as a community of Christ-followers, including:

• The greatness of the Triune God.
• Biblical authority.
• The dignity of Biblical marriage.
• The depravity of humans.
• Jesus as God’s new covenant.
• Jesus God’s Son is our perfect Savior.
• The power and promise of the Holy Spirit within us.
• The church as the body of Christ who awaits His return.

The president encouraged the community to individually and collectively commit to the CU Confession as a Biblical guidepost for wisdom, knowledge, selflessness and humility. And to embrace the courage to live out holy lives to honor God and spread the gospel in a rapidly changing world where Christian foundations face increasing challenges. Remaining faithful to God requires a lifelong pursuit that offers His blessings and a grace-filled, enriched life that the world cannot match.

As the university leadership prayed over each new faculty, staff and student leader to bless their work for the LORD, this year’s gathering served as a unifying moment to encourage us to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives together.

We commit to embark on this new academic year with hearts full of gratitude, minds grounded in Biblical truth and spirits ready to serve. May God continue to bless our students, faculty and staff abundantly, and may we be a living testament to our enduring commitment to the LORD at Cornerstone University.