University Chapel Previews Christ Our Greatest Legacy Theme
Cornerstone University students, faculty, and staff welcomed the 2024-25 academic year with wholehearted worship led by a special faculty and staff worship band and prayer during the semester’s first chapel on August 28. Worship leaders included Dr. Jeffery Degner, dean of the School of Business & Innovation; Dr. Misty Emmons, dean of the School of Health, Science & Technology; Tate Radaz, executive director of Spiritual Formation & Christian Community; Kimberly Meiste, executive director of enrollment operations; Frank Russell, director of online and graduate advising; and Sam Karel, assistant resident director. Greeting returning students, transfer students, and the incoming Class of 2028, Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone, gave a message on the topic of legacy based on Hebrews 12:1-2.
The passage follows more than 20 mentions of the phrase “by faith” found in Hebrews 11. While reminding Christ followers of the lineage of spiritual leaders that have come before them, the passage crescendos to a charge that calls Christians to faithfully persevere through all seasons by focusing solely on Jesus Christ.
“The Christian faith — our faith in Jesus — is part of a great legacy and inheritance that God has given to us,” said Dr. Moreno-Riaño. “God Himself has set aside an inheritance for each one of us who have placed our faith in Jesus.”
Reflecting on his personal story of emigrating from Colombia to the United States as an eight year old, Dr. Moreno-Riaño shared the story of a couple in New York with no children of their own who patiently taught his parents English while also spending time with his brother and him and eventually resulted in the couple leaving an inheritance to his family.
The memories illustrated examples of how legacy can be thought of in two ways according to Scripture. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, the author describes legacy as an inheritance, foreshadowing the unmatched heavenly inheritance that awaits Christians for whom Christ is their legacy. In addition, the original meaning of legacy communicated the meaning of being an “ambassador sent on a mission” as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
In closing, Dr. Moreno-Riaño encouraged the campus community to consider three application questions:
- Are you living into the inheritance that God has promised to us now?
- Is Christ Our Greatest Legacy?
- Do you see yourself as ambassadors of His great legacy?
“You are the ambassador of Jesus in the lives of so many spheres of influence that only you have,” concluded Dr. Moreno-Riaño, reminding students that Jesus Christ Himself is their greatest legacy.
A video recording of the President’s Chapel message from August 28, 2024, will be available soon. To listen to additional chapel messages and receive notifications of new messages in the Christ Our Greatest Legacy series, follow Cornerstone University Chapel on Spotify and CornerstoneU on YouTube.
