Valedictory Address

I have this article from Prov's Eyewitness publication linked to my personal site & thought why not preserve it in blog format?

"He Combines Adventure with Academics"
The Eye Witness — Spring 2002
Student Profile & Valedictory Address

Garth Friesen loves whitewater adventures and has been able to combine his love of the outdoors with a graduate education. There is very little white water in the placid streams of southern Manitoba, but Garth Friesen somehow has it in his blood. A born adventurer, this Morris-area native has been involved with outdoor ministries for much of his life.

It began with an involvement at Red Rock Bible Camp in the early 90s while he was a student at Providence College (he graduated in 1995). In 1998, Garth came across the Medeba Adventure Learning Centre in Ontario and spent 10 months completing their Leadership Development program. It was a life-changing experience for him, and when he returned to Manitoba, he came with a vision of integrating Medeba's outdoor adventure program with Providence's academic program, a process that was completed in the fall of 2001 with an agreement between the two institutions.

Garth returned to Providence in 2000 for an M.A. in Educational Ministries. This spring, his fellow students honoured him by selecting him to represent them at Graduation as their Valedictorian. The following is the Valedictory Address that Garth presented during the Graduation ceremony at the end of April.

Chancellor Eichorst, President Konkel, Board of Directors, Faculty, Staff, Distinguished Guests, Family, Friends, and of course fellow graduates.

I would first like to thank both the faculty and fellow graduate students for allowing me the honor of making this valedictory address. Graduations are unique in that they reflect on the past, consider the future, and celebrate the present. We are in celebration, as we have accomplished much. But it has not been easy or without struggle. If there had been no element of struggle, a Master's degree would not have the worth it does today.

Why are we here today fellow graduates? Probably a question we asked often climbing the four flights of stairs to seminary. We have survived countless assignments, research, and read hundreds of books. We have survived through faith and God's providence. God drew each of us here for a specific reason. We desired growth as individuals, to develop skills and knowledge in our area of focus, to learn how to minister more effectively, and to ultimately be used by God.

What are we leaving Providence today with? I sincerely hope it is more than a title or a piece of paper. We have been changed in all areas of our lives. Hopefully, our character has grown from our interaction with fellow students and professors. We have experienced community with a body of believers in a unique academic setting. We have embraced God in communion, drawn close to Him in times of peace and times of struggle. We also have heard the call, the commission to go forth from this institution and make disciples of Christ.

Those of you that know me well are aware that I am a lover of adventure. Nothing gets me grinning more than kayaking down a whitewater river. For some the sport of kayaking is simply not reasonable, as the risk seems too great. However, it should be remembered that it is a risk that has been calculated. I have developed experience, skills, and knowledge of what my limits are in the sport. Competence counteracts the actual risk. There is both a perceived risk and a real risk to everything we do. However, our skills and abilities lessen the actual risk experienced.

The same is true with graduate studies. God has given each of us abilities, endurance, and the knowledge to deal with the situations that He has placed us in. Risks are still present but they are calculated and understood. But to further ourselves we have pushed those limits.
That is essentially what adventure sports and I believe graduate studies are all about. Pushing and establishing our boundaries. We do the same thing in our faith journey - we continue to explore who God is, what he is doing, and what we can do through his strength. Part of taking any risk involves faith and is that not what the Christian life is all about? We receive salvation by stepping out in faith and trusting in Jesus to save us. I look to my fellow graduates and I see people who have taken a step of faith. We each have added pressure to our relationships, our families, our finances, by simply choosing to go into seminary.

There is a story told about a cabinet meeting in Britain during some of the darkest days of WWII. It was at a point when France had given up and been taken over by Nazi Germany. Winston Churchill outlined the situation to his cabinet and revealed the fact that Britain now stood alone against the enemy. The effect was obvious, people were somber, there was clearly despair written on everyone's faces, some seemed to have given up. Mr. Churchill was silent for a moment and then looked around to his discouraged company. "Gentlemen," he said, "I find it rather inspiring."

Yes, struggles will come to us as graduates; ministry guarantees it. Fellow graduates, I find it inspiring that God has a plan for each of us, and despite struggle, we can be inspired by a hope in Christ that nothing can discourage. Christ is alive and brought freedom to us who were captive. None of us were worthy of grace but through faith we have received a gift that brings not only salvation but also joy, peace, and power to endure.

Romans 15:13 says, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."