The spring semester is in full swing, and Convocation helped to set the spiritual tone and highlight the diverse achievements and opportunities of Andrews University. On Thursday, Jan. 15, students and faculty gathered at Pioneer Memorial Church to kick off the 2026 spring semester. Spring Convocation is a new practice for the university.
University Chaplain Jonathan Fetrick opened up the proceedings with a welcome that reminded attendees of the global nature of the Andrews community. After this, Chaplain Jacob Gibbs started his prayer time with a reading of Matthew 5:14-16, and his prayer was a solemn appeal to God to be our God. The Andrews campus then joined together to sing the opening hymn “To God Be the Glory.”
University President John Wesley Taylor V welcomed us all into the new year with an inspiring message on the topic of impact. He challenged common perceptions and views on impact and influence that elevate community organizers, CEOs, or social media influencers by diving into the life and ministry of the Apostle Andrew. As he pointed out, Andrew was just an ordinary man who did not seek the limelight. He wrote no books, had no sermons recorded, and there are no miracles recorded to his name. And yet Taylor argues that his ordinary influence yielded big things for God.
Taylor showed how three mentions of Andrew in the book of John highlight his significance. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus, brought the boy with two loaves and two fish to Jesus, and brought the questioning pagan Greeks to Jesus. Andrew was a connector of people to Jesus, and his influence was one of steady faithfulness and not of limelight and pomp. Taylor urged that, like Andrew, we should seek to build bridges between others and Jesus – make space for others, no matter who they are.
The riveting address ended with a practical appeal for the student body to think of at least one person in their lives whom they can connect with God, and create an action plan to do so. This kind of mission of ordinary people is just as important as titles or fame.
The deans of the various colleges on campus then presented some of the highlights of important and groundbreaking activities and achievements happening in their respective corners of University life. Examples included the new Boeing 737 Flight Simulator that the Aviation department has acquired and the highlighting of the research that students across various departments have taken part in. Administrators reminded those gathered that Andrews is a state-of-the-art educational facility with global reach and influence. The Andrews University campus was exhorted spiritually and reminded of its rich academic life.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.