Soldiers of the Cross

The heart of North Central University, from its genesis to present, has been one of love for the lost, heart for the nations, and raising up warriors for the sake of the cross. A deep call runs through the veins of our school beckoning each student to be soldiers of the cross. A calling, that through the power of Jesus Christ, fights for the freedom of weary and tired souls from the grips of sin and death. 

Amid the war-torn world in 1944, NCU (or North Central Bible Institute) senior class entered the world, not with a heart of fear, but rather one of hope, courage, and tenacity. The class of 1944 did not leave the gracious arms of this wonderful school without the hope of Christ and the Armor of God. They shored up their senior class under the banner of the cross of Christ, and titled their class “Soldiers of the Cross.”

As soon-to-be graduates, we do not enter the world watching nations wage war on other nations the same way that the class of 1944 did. We do not have to fear the loss of our brothers, fathers, sisters, or mothers fighting a battle in faraway lands. Yet, we are still called to unite under the banner of Christ to fight the powers and principalities of this age. We are called to fight for the truth of Christ, under the wings of His love, and with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. 

So what is the call and quest of the young Christian at this point in time? I believe that part of the call is well stated in the NCU 1944 yearbook, “Thus, it becomes our duty to put on the whole Armour of God and to stand in combat against wickedness, having confidence in God who giveth us the victory through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

It is time for my fellow “Soldiers of the Cross” to  “endure hardness, fight the good fight of faith, never retreat – ‘Be thou faithful unto death, and Christ shall give thee the Crown of Life.” (President Rev. Frank J. Lunquist, NCU ’44). Let us be the faithful warriors of the cross my fellow saints, for such a time as this.