It was 80 years ago this fall that a praying and faithful group of Mennonite Brethren planted FPU—then Pacific Bible Institute—in the fertile soil of California’s Central Valley. These early visionaries, many from immigrant families, valued education and desired a place on the West Coast where their children could grow in faith and knowledge. That first fall, the institute opened its doors to 28 students and five staff members. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we stand in the shade of trees we did not plant. For eight decades, countless individuals have studied, encouraged, prayed, invested, donated and worked through the highs and lows of this institution’s rich history. We honor our past while eagerly tending the current garden, “planting” for a fruitful future with the nearly 2,900 students enrolled today. 

As we look to our future, we return to the words on the FPU seal: Founded on Christ: Faithfulness – Wisdom – Service. These three virtues are not independent, but interwoven into our institutional DNA. 

Many of you can attest to God’s unwavering faithfulness to FPU. I am reminded of a favorite verse: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). We can have confidence that God will continue to be faithful to FPU as we hold on to the hope we profess in Christ. 

As an institution of higher education, we often navigate the balance between vocational training and the pursuit of wisdom. I think you would agree we need Godly wisdom now more than ever. 

The Fresno Pacific Idea states, “… All authentic knowledge and experience are unified under God.” Therefore, since all things are in Christ—made by him and for him and exist because of him (Colossians 1:16-17), I believe we have the privilege of divine curiosity that allows us to seek wisdom beyond the cultural, political and religious barriers that distract and divide. 

Lastly, the motto calls us to a life of service. Our work here is not for our good or gain, but to serve and to reflect God’s love in a world that desperately needs him. Indeed, Menno Simons said, “True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love.” May we serve as the Scriptures instruct us: “wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7). 

We look forward to the next 80 years! Fresno Pacific University remains founded on and steadfastly anchored in Christ. Just as alumni, faculty, staff, donors and friends have done before, may we, as Francis Shaeffer said, “exhibit God and His character, by His grace, in this generation.”