Dear WPU Community,
It’s almost time for one of my favorite family traditions of the year…Thanksgiving! How will you celebrate this holiday?
For me, it starts with an abundance of food 和 family. 第一个, we begin with my wife Shemeka’s family recipes from South Carolina: big, huge side dishes that fill you up before you even get to the turkeys (notice I’m using the plural!). Then there’s the turkey-cooking itself. I hear the easiest way to cook a turkey is to roast it. But I’ve never been one for easy…we always fry 和 grill ours in
后院. My job is to be the Outdoor Chef (this “might” also be the way to get the first bite).
After our meal we stay outside 和 enjoy a fire. My sons 和 nieces 和 nephews roast marshmallows. This is actually my favorite time of the day because it’s my chance to have long conversations about love, life 和 three of my favorite words in succession: Purpose, Passion, 和 调用. My family knows that sitting down with me – whether in my capacity as “Pops” or “Uncle Brian” or “Brother-In-Law Brian” – means you’re in for a meaningful conversation whether you want to be in one or not, so dodging me is a real win for some…but alas, 当我主持的时候, I will get to you! I am determined to learn 和 love in meaningful exchanges, 和 nothing fills my cup more than those authentic moments with my family. Now that my sons are in college 和 we’re settling more 和 more into the Pacific Northwest, I hope to forge some new traditions – but that one will always be a constant.
Not everyone is as blessed as I am to enjoy the abundance of food 和 family. And as much as I revel in these traditions, I am humbled by the knowledge that all of these things are gifts from Our Lord – that none of these blessings should ever be taken for granted. I pray that those who are lonely, 饿了, 悲伤, or struggling with life during this holiday season be strengthened by the Love of the Holy Spirit, 而我们, as His instruments, do all in our power to st和 in the gap for the people in our midst who need care 和 healing the most.
And I also pray that all use this blessed Thanksgiving holiday to offer God our most profound thanks. As president of Warner Pacific University, I especially invite you to join me in a moment of gratitude for this holy ministry we are called to share. I am thankful for:
- 我们的校友, community partners, past employees 和 volunteers who share our commitment to support future students through the giving of their time 和 treasure.
- Our dedicated faculty 和 staff, who face enormous challenges to go above 和 beyond in our quest to give students the best education possible.
- Our students who commit to approaching each day with enthusiasm, 开车, 和 big hearts 和 dreams for the future.
……最重要的是, I am thankful for God’s faithfulness to Warner Pacific, 这, despite our challenges, He continuously calls Godly men 和 women together on its behalf. Through our imperfect service, He blesses this mission to make Christ-centered education available to all, 和 we are so grateful.
最后, no matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, Shemeka 和 I wish you 和 your families every blessing 和 comfort during this season. May you 和 your loved ones find an abundance of reasons to give thanks, 和 may all in your circle feel the renewal of God’s love.
在基督里,
