Presidential Address, Graddys 2021

Congratulations

Welcome Vanguard to Graddys 2021! Wow! I can’t believe we’re here! It feels like it’s been an extra long road to this point this year… between the masks and social distancing, isolation, lack of motivation, online stuff, and a hundred other things, I can tell you that I thought more than once about just giving up, and I am guessing I’m not the only one.

But here we are. You - we - have made it. We made it through this crazy year. I amazed, and honoured, to have stood with you all, and be a part of you. I’ve watched people struggle through quarantine, battle with Covid, and come out the other side. I’ve also watched us walk into the doors of Vanguard, and faithfully sit down at our desks, every day of the week. Despite fear, despite the knowledge that we might go online, or catch Covid, or 1000 different little things, each of us has showed up faithfully everyday. You have been faithful to callings, faithful to friends, and faithful to our God. I am reminded of Matthew 25:23, which says:

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Guys let me say well done, good and faithful servants! You’ve been faithful in this, and God will not forget that! He’s seen, and I believe He’s so proud of each of His people here right now. So, well done, and congratulations.

I have only one more thing to say: Don’t we we have a good God! Without Him, we wouldn’t even be here right now! Because of His faithfulness, we can say the we - faculty, staff, and students - have made it to the end of this year. We may not know what next year looks like yet, but we have made it through this year. So, I want to say welcome: Welcome to everyone tuning in right now, welcome to all of us! And welcome Holy Spirit, and be in this place, as we commence our graddys celebration!