by: Josil Gonzales

We praise God this morning that we have come from the same spiritual roots, that of being a Dugong IV. God has used Inter Varsity to shape and mold our spiritual lives. We would not be where we are right now if not for the encouragement and influence of our staff workers, our Ates and Kuyas, and our fellow members of Inter Varsity. We thank God for the bible study groups we have attended many years ago, the discipleship camps we have participated in, for the prayer partnerships that have been established and other campus activities that had helped us grow and mature in our Christian lives.

And even for the campus romances that have blossomed and flourished along the way, our own “aying-aying”, our crushes, our LCMs, our MUs.  And some of these relationships have withstood the test of times and have been transformed later on into lasting marital relationships. Isa na po ako doon – I owe my life and wife to Inter Varsity.

What does it mean to be a Dugong IV? We need to remember our distinctives as a student movement. First of all, we are men and women of the Word. We have been taught in Inter Varsity to be the people of the Book. The discipline of having our quiet time each day has been inculcated in us. Do you still keep that discipline – a regular time to read God’s Word and a time to pray? This is a spiritual discipline that should be a non negotiable, a permanent part of our daily schedule for each one of us.

Secondly, our active participation in the local church. Part of our seven point pledge is to become a regular member of a local church. Since our fellowship will only be limited during our four-year stay in the campus, it is but proper to channel each member of Inter Varsity to a local church where they can go for further feeding and fellowship, long after their involvement in Inter Varsity is over.

In 1974, as a new Christian, I was encouraged by SVCF Manila officers to consider attending Capital City Alliance Church which was near to our house. Thirty five years later, I am still an active member of CCAC.

Thirdly, our emphasis on love of country. In the 70s, Inter Varsity came up with the credo – “Rooted in the Filipino soil and for the Filipino soul.” Our discipleship has always been based within the Filipino context. That is why we have come up with indigenous ways of discipling the Filipino students — the Kawayan camp, Sagwan, etc.

Within Inter Varsity circles, it is common to ask the following question — “Ano ba ang aking tugon sa hamon ng panahon?” And because of this kind of mentality, graduates and alumni of Inter Varsity have come out with initiatives and ministries to help the Filipino church. The founder of ISACC is a Dugong IV — Melba Maggay. The first Filipino president of Asian Theological Seminary is a Dugong IV – Dr. Bel Magalit. We have well known Filipino Christian authors who are Dugong IV as well – Evelyn Miranda Feliciano, Pastor Willie Girao, Dr. Bel Magalit, etc.

In the rally held yesterday at Makati to commemorate the 26th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, the theme was “Dilaw – ang bagong kulay ng pagbabago.”

Paraphrasing that theme in the context of Inter Varsity, we should be asking ourselves – “Ano ba ang bagong anyo ng pagbabago” sa ating movement?

Dalawang bagay po – katulad ng sinabi ng ating speaker, kailangan natin ng pagkakaisa. Ang pangalawa ay pagbibigay. Walang saysay ang pakikiisa kung ito ay hindi nauuwi sa pagbibigay.  Malaki po ang naging bahagi ng Inter Varsity sa aking buhay – hindi lamang ng ako’y estudyante kundi pati na rin bilang isang graduate. Kung ano man ang maibibigay ko sa Inter Varsity ay barya-barya lamang yon kumpara sa tulong na naibigay sa akin.

Naging pagpapala ba ang Inter Varsity sa inyong buhay? Kung naging pagpapala po  ito sa inyong buhay, maari bang tumayo kayo bilang simbolo ng inyong pagpapasalamat sa Diyos sa paggamit niya ng IVCF para tayo ay lumago sa ating pananampalataya?

Sa lahat pong tumayo, hinahamon ko kayo na patuloy na pakikiisa at pagbibigay sa Inter Varsity. Kanina po ay inireport ni Erickson na mayroon lamang tayong 30 regular givers every month sa Pilipinas at 40 givers mula sa US/Canada. Nagsimula po ang IVCF noong 1953 – may 56 years na po tayo at mayroon lamang tayong 70 regular givers? Hindi ho ba nakakahiya yon?

Tayo po ay mga Dugong IVCF – we are Interceding, Volunteering Contributing, Fulfilling the Great Commission!

Brothers and sisters, fellow Dugong IV, let us continue to make a difference in whatever circle of influence God has placed us – in our respective communities, work places, churches and homes. May we continue to be men and women of the Word, actively involved in the church and actively participating in the upliftment of our country. May God bless our country, and our movement, Inter Varsity. Mabuhay kayong lahat!