Cornerstone University’s New Community Chapel Featured RadianceFoundation.org’s Co-founder Ryan Bomberger and His Inspiring Life and Adoption Story
On Feb. 1, Cornerstone University hosted the first of two special Community Chapels during Black History Month. The university welcomed nearly 700 students, faculty, staff and community guests to campus for an inspiring, open chapel featuring Ryan Bomberger who framed his compelling life story as—“So, What if You’re Hated?”
“Love lifts people out of their circumstances,” said Bomberger, Emmy Award-Winning creative professional, author, “factivist” and co-founder of the RadianceFoundation.org. Conceived in rape and adopted into a diverse family of 15, Bomberger detailed how the sacrificial love of his adoptive parents and biological mother, as well as Christ’s example of ultimate sacrifice, influenced all aspects of his life as a husband, father, creative professional and faith-based national nonprofit organization leader.
Bomberger directly addressed some of today’s most contested cultural issues such as race, abortion, gender identity and a culture of hate, through the lens of Christ. He declared that God created “one beautiful human race” and that “color isn’t what binds us, love is.” He explored other important themes such as self-sacrifice, speaking the truth as a loving act even when it is culturally unpopular, and all life has purpose at every stage of life, in the womb or outside of the womb.
Cornerstone international student Stephanie Mandi Hazra found Bomberger’s themes to be relevant and profound. Hazra encourages others to attend future chapels saying, “Not only does it bring the community together, but there is joy in worshiping our creator together as a whole!”
“Ryan’s testimony of adoption and examples of Christ-honoring, cross-cultural honor and love were deeply encouraging,” offered Jeffery Degner, Cornerstone professor of economics. ”Ryan’s themes are great reminders to inform our thoughts, words, and actions as we desire to draw the broader community into these chapels and into deeper, ongoing fellowship with Cornerstone.”
Bomberger received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his presentation.
“Cornerstone was pleased to offer this first ever Community Chapel to enhance and strengthen how we serve the West Michigan community,” said Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “Bringing national Christian leaders to campus to partner in our work to educate today’s and tomorrow’s Christian influencers is our aim.”
Cornerstone invites the public and area students to attend the next Community Chapel on Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel on campus. Esteemed guest Bishop Dean B. Nelson, CEO of the Frederick Douglass Foundation and national chairman of the Douglass Leadership Institute, will address Christ’s influence on his life’s work.
