A Christ-centered Life

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 6, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

Last week Central Philippine University culminated its 105^th University Day celebration. Let me share my reflection on the theme of its celebration, “Meeting Successfully the Challenges and Opportunities of Life as a Centralian.”

What is it in being a Centralian that one can meet successfully the challenges and opportunities of life?

I would like to believe that a Centralian is Christ-centered.

The training that a Centralian receives is geared towards the realization of CPU’s vision, meaning, to become an exemplary Christian for life. This is very ideal and should be a continuing reminder to all teachers, staff and administrators.

Nelson and Herradura once wrote, “…faculty members made it a point to provide a Christian atmosphere in the school, give the students a thorough knowledge of the Bible and some understanding of the meaning of the Christian life, and provide opportunities for the development of interest and abilities that could be used in the service of the church.”

Do we, the new generation of Centralians, live up to expectation to provide a Christian atmosphere in the campus of CPU, and to wherever we are?

I am praying that CPU will not only be “a university where the student is central” but more importantly CPU will become “a university where Christ is Central.”

If we are committed to Jesus Christ, then we are committed to Christian mission. We must instill to Centralians that we must develop a missionary attitude and orientation. CPU was born because of Christian mission. Thus, in one way or another, depending on how you exercise it, Centralians must become missionaries.

Rev. Dr. Johnny V. Gumban once wrote, “CPU is committed to Christian mission. Christian mission is for the purpose of attaining the wholeness of life on the total life of creation in conformity to God’s design and purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ according to the Scripture. God initiates this work in history by whatever means He chooses. CPU offers itself to be a means that God may choose for this purpose.”

We hope that all of us who profess to be Christians will make our lives as a channel of God’s blessing and purpose for other people.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on