Kuyper Celebrates Commencement
“What do we do when life doesn’t turn out the way we’d hoped?” Luke Morgan asked the Kuyper College Class of 2025. 
Speaking to the graduates, together with their family and friends, who gathered in the Boonstra Gym on April 18 to celebrate Kuyper’s 86th Commencement, he added that we often encounter failure because our inner lives are not in sync with our outer lives.
After graduating from Kuyper in 2010, Morgan spent several years in the East Coast corporate world before returning to West Michigan for a ministry career, eventually becoming the executive pastor of Frontline Community Church, located in Grand Rapids, in 2024.
And, he told the audience, he made many missteps along the way.
“I’ve failed in business, in ministry, in parenthood, and I’ve wanted to blame that on external circumstances,” he said. “But, when we encounter failure, our only course is to examine our foundation.”
When that bedrock is Christ, Morgan emphasized, we can weather whatever storm life might send our way.
“If we really put Jesus’ words into practice, we can face failure and combat those things in our inner lives that are holding us back from being who we are meant to be,” he reminded the class of 2025.
This is one of the most vital lessons Kuyper teaches its students, summed up perfectly in the theme for the 2024-2025 academic year, “Christ, Our Firm Foundation,” and it infused a Commencement Day that was filled with many memorable moments.
It began with students gathering mid-morning in the Kuyper gymnasium for commencement practice, rehearsing the look and feel of the ceremony. Next up was the Commencement luncheon, including remarks by four soon-to-be graduates, as well as Kuyper President Patricia Harris.
One of those speakers was Zamire Jackson, who majored in Business Leadership and recently accepted a position in Kuyper’s Business Office, starting this summer.
“Not only did I get to fulfill my dream of playing basketball in college, but my time overall was transformative,” he said. “I gained knowledge and skills and grew in my faith, which has prepared me for the next steps in my career. I’m grateful for the experience and the people I’ve met along the way.”
A few hours later, President Harris opened the Commencement ceremony and welcomed attendees.
“We are delighted that we can all join in honoring our graduates and in hearing what it means to put our faith in the firm foundation of Jesus Christ,” she said.
Jordyn Carlson is one of those graduates. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Ministry Leadership and delivered a special message from the Class of 2025.
Considering the bright post-graduation future they will now step into, she urged them to be “living letters”, or reflections of the Gospel to the world.
“Our lives are the message, and that message is Jesus Christ,” she said.
After receiving their diplomas, the Class of 2025 heard similar words of commissioning from President Harris.
“May you go and shine brightly and boldly into every square inch of God’s world,” she said with a wide smile. “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly as you serve and love God and your neighbor. Congratulations!”
