University of Southern California Doctoral Commencement Address

Greetings Family & Friends,
There are many people in this room today who are strangers to each other, yet there is one common characteristic that each of you shares. Each person here has witnessed my development as a scholar and a leader. At this time, I must acknowledge my wife Karina, who has been able to have the most intimate view of what it actually took to get to this point. She has been my biggest supporter and a true blessing from God, appreciation. Now, I don’t want to go too long in this speech, so I will briefly address two subjects. First, I will touch upon the experiences I have had in education. Next, I will address what I have been able to do with what I have learned.

The statement that could best describe my life thus far is this: I have chosen to take the road less traveled for the glory of Jesus Christ. From the earliest decisions that I made as a child, to go against the traditions of my neighborhood and family…to the diversity of the academic programs that I chose: film, theology, and educational psychology…to the initiative in becoming the founding pastor of Authentic LA….to the massive amount of time & finances that I have poured into my education… and to the deeply personal investments I have made into the lives of individuals…pioneering this novel path has not been easy. While I have had supporters along the way, this path has also been lonely. I have observed my contemporaries and peers fall along the wayside who lost focus, heart, life, or sold themselves out for money. I would even dare to say that the coursework that I completed along the way was easy for me, in comparison to the social pressures that went along with going in this direction and making a stand for what I believe in.

Those of you that know me well, to use a boxing analogy, have had a ringside-seat to witness my struggle. You understand that there was a cost that was paid to stand before you today. You can attest that I am no stranger to spiritual warfare, sacrifice, stress, sleepless nights, sickness, lost friendships, misunderstandings, and academic persecution to get where I am today. Yet, through it all, ignorance, bigotry, and prejudice have been my enemies. I have attempted, through research and reasoning, to seek out my old friend, the truth. Whether it was the study of what makes an effective mentoring program, or to what Paul intended to convey in one of his letters, or to the way Jesus intended ministry to be conducted…, MY SCHOLARSHIP HAD A PURPOSE! I did not study for the sake of studying. Just as a medical doctor studies in order to heal the body, I studied in order to to bring healing to the heart, mind, and soul. I chose to sort through centuries of traditions and the popular theories of the day to find answers that would help to improve the lives of my fellow man. Thus, you can say that my philosophy of scholarship has been this: as a true believer in learning from history, I am committed to looking for solutions to today’s problems from the past and from around the globe. 

Looking back…after countless trips to bookstores or logging on to Amazon.com, to the thousands of pages that have been read, to the dozens of papers that have been written, to the journals that have been filled with lecture notes, to the assortment of tests that are now behind me, to the immeasurable arguments that have been sorted through in my mind in internal debates, to the lengthy meetings with professors after class which are now over and done with, to the hours spent in libraries which are now a thing of the past. In the end, I can affirm that I was forced to face who I really was. What I am alluding to is not the mythical journey to Europe that the stereotypical college student has historically gone on, to find themselves. What I am speaking of is the internal journey that each person must face who wants to do something significant for God and who really wants to move forward in life. This inward journey can take place anywhere, in the military, in a hospital, in prison cell, or even in one’s home. The inward spiritual journey that I have emerged from took place not only in the classroom or library, but in my apartment where I sought the direction of God to help me find out what He wanted me to learn. I would state that based upon Jesus’ teaching that is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter fifteeen…that I can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ. He is the True Vine, and I am a branch, while God is the Vinedresser. He alone can sustain me and heal me from the pain of this world. Without Him I am nothing and I must remain in Him daily to truly carry out the purposes that He has called me to.

At a young age, I had a desire to one day attend USC. Through the encouragement and example of my mentor, I was able to look beyond the context that I grew up in. I knew that there were other possibilities out there, despite what the world told me I should be able to accomplish. Therefore, I will use my education to work towards improving the educational system in the United States. I will also continue to dedicate my life to being a positive role model and an advocate for academic excellence. Thus, in a sense, you can say that I am in the process of moving forward in one of my life’s missions, which is to lead THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST MEDIOCRITY. I do not believe that one should live an ordinary life that is not maximizing the opportunities that God has placed before them. Each challenge should be viewed from an optimistic standpoint, in which challenges can be overcome with God’s help. I am in no way a finished product; I am a work in progress, on a spiritual journey, just as everyone here in this room. Therefore, I will state this: my education is in no way over. I will continue to be a lifelong learner or better yet, a disciple. I am and will continue to be a disciple in the truest sense of the word. As a disciple I will continue to learn, then apply what I have learned, and finally teach what I have learned to others about the way of Jesus Christ. My education is a tool that God has and will continue to use to enhance the discipleship process in others; not just in Los Angeles, but in Whittier, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Antonio and other nations as well. Through the work that I have been doing in the non-profit world and through Authentic LA, it is evident that I am committed to working with individuals to call them to who God has intended them to be.

Now, in closing, let me provide you with a saying that we have here at USC and is in the spirit of the Apostle Paul…Fight On!