More than 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students began their collegiate careers at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 on Monday, Aug. 31. With 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 at Home this semester due to COVID-19, 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 President Barry H. Corey welcomed students to the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 community virtually at this falls Convocation. Students joined in to watch Convocation from around the globe to start the new academic year with a total of 2,648 people tuning into the ceremony live. Corey encouraged students, who represent 34 countries and 47 states and U.S. territories, to remember to hold onto the hope we have in Christ despite the tough circumstances of today.

Referencing Joshua 24, Corey reiterated the story of Joshua encouraging his people to lean into God in the midst of struggle which relates to our experience right now. By choosing to follow God, Corey highlighted the responsibilities to stand firm, uphold Gods truth, and resist conforming to the gods who alter Gods creation.

Students, put into practice the true and the virtuous, a view of the Christian life built off centuries of Christian practices, and sound theology, and deep thought, and faithful living, said Corey. The gods of this land want to silence voices from speaking truth if it doesnt fit into their framework, and they want to coerce others to flow with the cultural tide or be called out, ostracized or invalidated.

The lesson Joshua taught his people was to let our lives be fully consumed by God, let him lead us in our hardships, and reflect him by advocating for his truth.

At 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, we will not be consumed following the gods of this land by buying into untruths. We have chosen another way, and that is we look at issues through the lens of the gospel rather than adopting trending ideologies that seek to suck us in, Corey said. We can be countercultural for the common good. 

Corey established that the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 house is committed to following Gods way and remaining steadfast.

This years Chapel Programs and Student Development theme at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 is Instead, which also has the word stead in it to highlight the hope we have in a steadfast God. Throughout chapels this year, the Spiritual Development team will be sharing scripture that explores the many insteads God offers when we surrender our lives to him and commit to doing the work he calls us to.

While new students were unable to attend orientation in person, Campus Engagement converted orientation to an online platform for students. Students can watch online University Welcome, Community Commissioning, and Convocation. Students also had several opportunities to meet other students through various online platforms. For more opportunities to engage with other students, download the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 App.

Students will fulfill their chapel and school requirements and continue to grow in community together through 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 at Home this semester. 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s commitment to students remains the same to deliver an excellent college experience through 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s exceptional academic offerings and welcoming Christian community. 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 looks forward to when its possible to reopen campus, transitioning from "晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 at Home" to "晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 in Person."

Written by Joy Blea, public relations intern. For more information, contact media.relations@biola.edu.