Record Attendance at First Chapel as President Moreno-Riaño Challenges Cornerstone: “Are You Ready?”
If Jesus Christ returned today, would you be ready?
That was the question President Gerson Moreno-Riaño asked more than 800 Cornerstone students, alongside faculty and staff, at the first chapel of the academic year.
Christ Chapel filled with worship as the Cornerstone community came to hear God’s Word and begin a new year centered on one of Scripture’s most important truths: Jesus Is Coming Again! Returning students were excited to be back, while the new Class of 2030 experienced their first chapel as part of the Cornerstone community.
President Moreno-Riaño welcomed each class before asking the question at the heart of his message: If we really believe Jesus Christ is coming again, how should that change the way we live?
The return of Jesus Christ, President Moreno-Riaño said, is “one of the most central truths of Scripture” — a truth that is beautiful, encouraging, hopeful and sobering. He pointed students to Christ’s words in Revelation 22:12:
“Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be.”
After students participated in a live poll about Christ’s return and final judgment, President Moreno-Riaño compared their responses with national polling. Fifty-five percent of U.S. adults say Christ will return, while more than 60% believe He will return to judge humanity.
He asked, “What’s the relationship or the connection between what we say we believe and how we live our lives?”
“When I saw that 55% of Americans believe in this and over 60% believe that there’s a final judgment, I thought, okay, if this is true, shouldn’t our country be different?”
President Moreno-Riaño focused on Christ’s command to “behold” — to “wake up,” “pay attention” and focus on the reality of His return. And Christ’s words “I come quickly,” he said, leave no room for uncertainty.
He urged students not to treat Christ’s return as secondary to the issues competing for their attention today. “We can talk about all the stuff in our culture today, AI, politics, conservative, Republican, communist … but this is the most central thing. The return of our Savior Jesus.”
Cornerstone, he said, is preparing students for their degrees and careers — but also for something greater. “We really want to get you ready for that moment. That’s the ultimate graduation.”
Experience worship with the Cornerstone University community. Schedule a campus visit on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning during the academic year. Sign up for a Golden Eagle Visit Day or an individual visit today.
