Speeches
The Changing Power of the Lord in Your Life: A Welcome Back Forum with the Cordons
To kick-of the 30th year of Southern Virginia University, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena on Aug. 29 for the annual Welcome Back forum with President Bonnie H. Cordon and Derek Cordon, who shared the importance of serving one another and trusting in the Lord during all times of life.
“This is a time of discovery, a time for you to get out of your comfort zone and grow,” said Derek. “My favorite saying is there’s no growth in the comfort zone, and there’s no comfort in the growth zone. If you’re comfortable with where you are right now, get out of that area and grow.”
Sharing his favorite story in the New Testament of Christ washing the disciples’ feet during the Last Supper, Derek encouraged students to use the next week to find ways to serve one another, large or small, and then record and reflect on those experiences.
“I testify that Christ is real,” Derek said. “We’re at a faith-based university, and I hope you’ll take advantage of that. Don’t hide the fact that you believe in Christ. But more importantly, don’t only believe in Christ, but believe Christ. He’s our Savior. He has atoned for our sins, each one of our sins. I love him. I know He’s real, and I hope you’ll find him too in your daily service.”
Welcoming the new and returning students to campus, President Cordon spoke on the importance of relying on the Lord during hard times in the semester and in life. Referencing a quote from Elder Jeffery R. Holland about resisting the temptation to retreat from a good thing, Cordon invited the students to not be afraid of putting in the work, trusting the process, and not let a hard moment turn them away from their goals.
“Some of you may be struggling with an assignment, a schedule, a relationship, feeling homesick, that suddenly feels heavier than expected, and you’re tempted to quit,” said President Cordon. “Here at SVU, there are mentors, counseling, the writing and launch center, a coach, a friend, who can help. You still have to do the work, but with the right help and the right tools or people, you’ll get where you want to go.”
Showing a clip depicting the New Testament story of the apostle Peter walking on water to Christ, President Cordon pointed out that while Peter may have faltered in fear, Christ was there the moment he asked for help to lift Peter up out of the water.
“This semester, as you go forward, look for the little miracles,” said President Cordon. “A lot of them could just be a simple thing, like going to class or turning in an assignment that was hard for you. Will everything be perfect? No, but go forward.”
“And I have seen this over and over again, once you include the Lord in your daily lives by using prayer,” she continued. “The opportunities to take our concerns and our challenges, our frustrations to the Lord in prayer, there is a power that comes as you allow the Lord to be in your life. I encourage you to serve others, but also allow the Lord to be part of it. Allow him to walk with you in this journey.”
The forum opened with the campus community learning and singing the university’s Fight Song, accompanied by the marching band, and ended with the traditional singing of “Love One Another.”