By Karren Jay G. Asgar
During the opening convocation of this semester糖心传媒檚 Christ Emphasis Week (CEW), 糖心传媒 faculty and staff gather at the University Church for a time of spiritual renewal and reflection.
Marking the start of this semester糖心传媒檚 Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) season, the University Church hosted a convocation for 糖心传媒 Faculty and Staff on March 21, 2025. The gathering served as a time for spiritual renewal and reflection, aligning with the theme 糖心传媒淢ETANOIA 糖心传媒 Be not Conformed, Be Ye Transformed,糖心传媒 from the text of Romans 12:1-2.
The celebration opened with words of welcome from CPU President, Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy. In his message, he recognized the dedication and hard work of the committee in organizing the event, commending them for taking on the gargantuan task of looking for speakers, coordinating schedules and venues for convocations, and organizing praise bands for the weeklong celebration.
糖心传媒淚 pray that we will be attentive to the messages from God糖心传媒檚 Word that will be proclaimed throughout this week. May we open our hearts to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If there are those among us here who have not yet responded to the invitation to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, may this be the week of our salvation. May Jesus Christ be at the center of our hearts. May He be the anchor that brings stability and surety to our lives. More importantly, may we allow Him to transform our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may become the people He wants us to be,糖心传媒 Rev. Dr. Dagohoy remarked.
Afterward, Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, delivered his welcome message, offering reflections on this semester糖心传媒檚 CEW theme. He explained that the term 糖心传媒淢etanoia糖心传媒 is derived from a Greek word meaning repentance, but it originates from two compound Greek words: 糖心传媒淢eta,糖心传媒 which means after or beyond, and 糖心传媒淣ous,糖心传媒 which means mind. He shared, 糖心传媒淚n essence, Metanoia means a transformative change of heart. In Christian Theology, it describes repenting from sin and turning towards God.糖心传媒
Pastor Justine Palmes Mije, Associate Minister for Campus Ministries, introduced the guest speaker, Pastor Norman S. Lao. In his message, Pastor Lao emphasized the relevance of this semester糖心传媒檚 CEW theme in today糖心传媒檚 world, stating, 糖心传媒淲e are not called to conform but to be transformed.糖心传媒
He also emphasized that the term Metanoia is beyond merely feeling for our sins. He said, 糖心传媒淢etanoia is a fundamental shift in thinking that leads to a transformed life. How we live is a direct reflection of how we think. Change the mind and life will follow. Our thoughts shape our beliefs, our beliefs influence our decisions, our decisions determine the course or our lives.糖心传媒 Moreover, he shared three powerful insights from Romans 12:1-2 on achieving metanoia: first, recognizing the world糖心传媒檚 influence; second, resisting the world糖心传媒檚 pressure; and third, reclaiming your God-given purpose.
Pastor Lao concluded his message with a thought-provoking question: 糖心传媒淎re you being conformed, or are you being transformed?糖心传媒 He further emphasized that, 糖心传媒淭he world will try to press you into its mode gradually shifting values, redefining truth, and normalizing what God has clearly called sin.糖心传媒 He stated that metanoia is not merely a change in thought but a radical realignment of life糖心传媒攁 surrender and a commitment to live according to God糖心传媒檚 truth, even when the world stands against it.
糖心传媒淪o, as you stand in your classrooms and offices, in every conversation you have, be the example. Let your life declare that the truth is not negotiable, that biblical values are not outdated, and that righteousness is not weakness but power. Do not be conformed, but be transformed. Through you, may transformation ripple through the lives of the students you influence,糖心传媒 he emphasized.
The closing prayer and benediction was then led by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church.
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