LCU graduates participate in 78th Annual Commencement service

 

[May 08, 2023] 

The 78th Annual Commencement for Lincoln Christian University was held in the Earl C. Hargrove Chapel at Open Arms Christian Fellowship Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 10 a.m. This year, with the reduction of students receiving their educations at the campus in Lincoln, the traditional format of graduation in the morning and seminary commencement in the afternoon was altered into a single ceremony for all graduates of the class of 2023.

An organ prelude was performed by LCU alumna, Linda Storm. “Holy is He” was performed as the processional with Storm on the organ and Professor Emeritus of Worship Ministry Jeffrey Colleen on the piano.

A congregational hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy" was led by Dr. Darrin Akin, Adjunct Professor of Worship Ministry. The invocation was given by Larry Roberts, Associate professor Emeritus of Psychology.

A warm welcome was given by President, Dr. Silas McCormick, who could not have appeared prouder of the 2023 graduates' hard work and accomplishments; after which he introduced the commencement speaker, Dr. John D. Castelein.

Dr. Castelein was born in France, raised in Belgium, and became an American citizen in 1984. He attended Johnson Bible College (1966-68) before graduating from Lincoln Christian College (1970). He earned an MA and an MDiv in Theology from Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1977. He received a PhD in Theology in 1988 from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago.

Dr. Castelein taught undergraduate courses at LCU from 1977 until 1992. He taught theology in the seminary and the DMin programs from 1992 until 2014, when he retired.
He had preaching ministries in Indian, Illinois (Lincoln Christian Church 2001 to 2006) and his hometown of Genk, Belgium.

However, raised in the secular culture of Belgium, challenged by his critical doctoral studies in religion, Dr. Castelein stepped away from the faith from 2010 until 2022. Then, by God's amazing Grace, he experienced a reconversion, which finally united his mind with his heart in loving God our Father and serving Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Dr. Castelein’s testimony to the graduating class was not the typical commencement speech where one charges and encourages students to go change the world...although they understood that that is the great commission. His testimony was about having walked away from the faith on three separate occasions and God's grace pursuing him. Each time God was personal and intentional making himself known to Dr. Castelein, who could not deny the power of God's grace touching and profoundly changing his heart and mind.

So, to the class of 2023 (and to the rest of us) the message is about becoming God's obedient servant. Choosing to serve with gratitude for the grace He freely gives us on this journey..."not I but Christ...not I but Christ".

Following Dr. Castelein’s address, happy students filed across the stage receiving their diplomas and warm congratulations for the leadership of Lincoln Christian University.

Afterward, the students celebrated with family and friends as many gathered inside and outside the chapel for family pictures as well as embraces from family, friends, and fellow students.

Read Dr. Castelein’s address to the students.

[Karen Castelein]