Photos by Ralph Freso
Gabriel Lugo asked fellow students of the Colangelo College of Business and College of Theology to share the love during Friday afternoon winter Commencement ceremony at GCU Arena.
“I want those of you who are worried about the future to take a moment and remember all the ways we do all these years here at Grand Canyon University,” said Lugo, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies. “Whether that was parents sending money, or professors showing grace to you, or an opportunity that seemed impossible.
“Take a moment to remember that, and then use that memory to tell yourself that everything will be OK because God will provide and because God is our provision. We are freed up to love others because Christ has called us to.”
Lugo said he was contacted early last week by COT Dean Dr. Jason Hiles about the possibility of serving as student speaker. Lugo convinced Hiles of his theme the following day, and he spent an extra hour Thursday polishing his message.
“When I was coming about writing this, we, as Christians, go through life and we get so caught up in all the small things we forget what matters most," Lugo said after the ceremony. "And that’s just the love of other people that God has called us to. And if we all love other people, everything else will follow.”
Lugo underwent two transformations that eventually led him to GCU. He grew up as a Mormon and didn’t come to Christ until his freshman year while playing football at Xavier College Prep in Thousand Palms, California. He also had long-term dreams of becoming a U.S. Navy sniper, but that changed a week after he gave his life to Christ and delivered a speech to the football team.
“I don’t remember what the speech was,” said Lugo, who also credited his mother for being a major influence in his faith. “But I remember going to the locker room and can recall hearing a small voice in my head saying, ‘I don’t want you for the military of this world, I want you for My army. I want you to reach people for Me.’
“From that point on, I remember vividly, feeling this is what God wanted me to do. He wanted me for His kingdom and to reach people for Him. So that’s what swayed me into ministry.”
Lugo masked his nerves as he spoke with conviction. Before and after the ceremony, he credited several of his GCU professors, including Dr. Dan Diffey, the department chair in the Christian studies programs.
“Every class felt like a sermon with him,” Lugo said. “Every class was inspirational.”
Lugo concluded his five-minute speech by asking the graduates how they will show the love of Christ as they move on in life – either by carrying the mark of a Christian, or act like Pharisees and condemn the work of Christ.
“The choice is yours,” Lugo said. “I want to leave with you, Class of 2023, with encouragement. Wherever the Lord ends up taking you in life, know that He is with you and that He is ultimately in control and that everything will be all right.
“And Go Lopes!”
When asked what's next in Lugo’s future, he replied:
“Mexican food. That’s what’s next.”
Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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