Brad Lomenick Chapel

Brad Lomenick Chapel – March 8, 2023

By Diego Duarte

Diego Duarte is a Junior at Christian High School, an editor-in-chief of Christian High School’s newspaper, The Genesis, and the founding chairman of its current Young Americans for Freedom Chapter.
Brad Lomenick, founder of BLINC, and author of the ‘Catalyst Leader’ and ‘H3 Leadership’ spoke to Christian High students about what is needed to be a great leader. To start, he gave some background into his life. He spoke how in 1995, he was working at a guest ranch and the owner there gave him advice that how his life in his 20s would establish how his life would become into his 70s. Then, he introduced his main question to students of what they want people to say about them after they die.

Flashing forward in his life, he talked about how he leads an organization and young interns always ask him about how to be a great leader. He would tell them that to be a great leader it was vital for them to stay humble, be hungry, and always hustle. He then went on to further explain in-depth these three attributes.
In explaining what he meant about being humble, humility is about making others part of the story. The most humble leaders are able to understand their environment and be self-aware of themselves and most importantly, understand the way God has wired them.

Then, he tuned in on what he called as “working on your why” and what was the Lord calling someone to do. Humble leaders are dialed in on their calling and talents, undergirded by God’s story. He proceeded to give an example of him finding out his own why from when he was young. He told how he was a part of a rap group in Oklahoma and they rapped about the amounts of trash and littering plaguing the state at a Senate hearing. He had a lot of passion but very little strength and though his group’s career rap career didn’t work out, many other opportunities had opened up to him within his life. He encouraged students to say yes to opportunities that open up to them. Brad Lomenick’s “why” was to collect and gather influencers. Finally, when you know your “why,” you walk with confidence.

The second leadership attribute he explored was the aspect of a leader’s hunger for learning and improving within his life. He informed the audience that a leader always believed there’s more for him and room for improvement and a leader will be the one to walk into a room and take notes on what’s around him and what people are saying. Everywhere they go is a classroom. Curiosity and question-asking is a short cut for this because curiosity gives oneself credibility.

He gave example of this of a time when he was invited to the White House for breakfast in the East Room. While this was going on, he was sitting next to his hero in life. Since no one knew who he was, he remembered that asking good questions furthered one’s credibility. He asked his hero questions and his hero then introduced him to his friends due to finding him interesting because of his questions. Asking questions got him further than he ever imagined. One last thing he added was that you should honor people with good questions and actually listen to them. This way those in your life feel appreciated.

The final major attribute he focused on was the ‘hustle’ and drive a leader should have. To set some ground rules on what he meant by ‘hustle’ he shared that the Biblical perspective on hustle is that you’re willing to set a standard based on excellence. Following Jesus means you’ll follow Him onto the next excellence of life and will not leave you living in mediocrity. But most importantly, one must also be faithful to God and exactly where they are in life.

To give an example of this he spoke again about his job as a cowboy at the guest ranch. He had to be faithful in his job even if it meant doing seemingly juvenile tasks. For being faithful with little will turn into faithfulness with much.

A minor attribute of a leader he also mentioned when closing off his message was about a leader always embodying hope. For if you give a little hope to somebody it’ll make a huge difference. To give hope is to become an injector of courage. To be a great leader you’ll inject courage into others. And anyone can do this because everyone has an influence on somebody.

He then ended his chapel with a Q&A, allowing students to put to use the valuableness of asking somebody questions. Through this, Brad Lomenick equipped students with the knowledge needed in order to be a great leader among their peers and within their community.

Jennie Lusko Chapel

Jennie Lusko Chapel – February 22, 2023

By Diego Duarte
Diego Duarte is a Junior at Christian High School, an editor-in-chief of Christian High School’s newspaper, The Genesis, and the founding chairman of its current Young Americans for Freedom Chapter.

Jennie Lusko, wife of Pastor Levi Lusko of non-denominational Fresh Life Church, preached about the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of one’s life at Christian High School. In years past, her husband has preached at Shadow Mountain Community Church.

To start off her message, she focused on Martha in Luke 10:38-42, when Martha was more concerned about preparing her house for Jesus, then on Him, unlike Mary who sat with Him. She then proceeds to relate this to the audience by discussing how just like Martha, our worries in our own lives distract us from focusing on Jesus. She pointed to how many things people value in life such as having a job, friends, a family, and hobbies like sports can be easily taken away.

Then, she connected this to Joseph when he was stripped of his coat of many colors by his brothers and sold into slavery. But despite his earthly possessions being taken from him, the Lord was with him and as noted in Genesis 39:2-3, Potiphar “saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.” For God’s presence cannot be taken away and how even though Joseph was sold into slavery, he fulfilled the Lord’s purpose for him (Genesis 45:5).

She tied what she said about Joseph with her comments on Martha and spoke how when living a life of God, His good will show through you whether at home, in a sport, or at a job. She then shared how in her own life, her father had an affair when she was 13, and that in this difficult situation she endured by turning to the church for guidance.

While wrapping up her message, she made two final points. Her first one was once establishing the importance of keeping Jesus and His Word in the center of your life. She referenced Minister Henry Halley’s quote about how “The Bible is the most priceless possession of the human race.” She also shared 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which stated that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” as well as Psalms 119:9-11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” To end her point, she used the acronym S.O.A.P. standing for Scripture, Observe, Apply, and Pray to give our students steps on how to read the Bible and to heed its words.

Her last point was how we need to keep our identity and community as a crucial part of our lives, and not be conformed to this world. The Church is “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9). When Peter phrased the Church using language originally attributed to Israel, he is emphasizing how the Church will also be an important part in God’s kingdom, though differing from Israel.

She closed out with Hebrews 10:23-25 which states “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” This message left students walking out equipped with the knowledge and affirmation needed to go into God’s Word and properly understand it in order to fulfill the roles God has made for us.

Melvin Adams Chapel

Melvin Adams Chapel – February 25, 2023

By Madelynn Bryan
Madelynn Bryan is a sophomore at Christian Unified High school and is an editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper. She enjoys writing and takes an interest in political science. She is very excited to be writing for the school’s newspaper and uses it as an opportunity to spread the word of God.

Melvin Adams delivered a motivational and humor infused message to the students at Christian Unified using his life experiences and knowledge of the Bible. His biggest goal when speaking to his audiences is to inspire others to achieve their dreams.

Melvin was a professional basketball competitor and member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. He graduated from San Jose Christian college, where he was a two-time NCAA all American basketball player. He remains their leading scorer and assist leader. Soon after, he had the opportunity to play professionally, and he joined the Harlem Globetrotters. Melvin retired from playing on the team on March 17, 2000, due to his calling from God to reach out and inspire youth in the name of Christ. Melvin is currently a communicator and entertainer. His energetic and engaging presentation style make him a popular and memorable speaker.

Melvin began his message with a story from when he was in elementary school. He talked about when he had to get the paddle or “pops” at school as a punishment. One boy told him to “just suck it up” and go into the swing because the less space you put between you and the paddle, the less momentum the paddle will gain and the less it would hurt. Melvin ties this to the beginning of his message by claiming, “There are many people in life, where when things get hard, they run.” They run because they are afraid to be hit but in reality, the thing will just catch up to them and hit them harder. It is better to dive right in because the sooner you confront your fears and conflicts, the softer the hit will be in the end.

He adds to this message by going into the story of the Woman at the Well from John 4. Melvin shared that “Jesus could have went anywhere but he chose that particular town where the people didn’t like Jews and Jews and Samaritans didn’t even talk… yet here He is with this woman drinking the same water.”Jesus chose this woman, just like he chooses to be invested in our life. She had committed adultery and was shunned by society, though, “Jesus was more concerned about her character” rather than with what others thought of her. “Jesus knows what is really going on in your life,” says Melvin. He addressed specific struggles that might be relevant to some of us such as “[feeling] alone even though you are surrounded by 700 kids”and asked “When you look in the mirror, do you love what you see?” in order to remind students that Jesus created each of us. He is the only one who truly knows you. He can elevate you and help you to overcome struggles in life. Melvin told the students to face their fears, and to just “go for it.” You are already beautiful in the eyes of Jesus, and through Him, you can do anything.

As students, you can apply this to your life by keeping God’s word in mind. James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.”

Brooks Buser Chapel

Brooks Buser Chapel – February 8th, 2023

By Madelynn Bryan
Madelynn Bryan is a sophomore at Christian Unified High school and is an editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper. She enjoys writing and takes an interest in political science. She is very excited to be writing for the school’s newspaper and uses it as an opportunity to spread the Word of God.

Missionary and Bible translator, Brooks Buser delivered a phenomenal message using his experience as a missionary as well as his extensive knowledge of the Bible to the students of Christian Unified High school. He reflected upon the experience of dedicating himself and his life fully to God.

Brooks is the president of Radius National, a supporter of the evangelical church and missions community that “[provides] pre-field missions training that equips cross-cultural workers to establish healthy, indigenous, reproducing churches among unreached language groups.” He is also a graduate from San Diego Christian college, where he met his wife Nina. Both Brooks and his wife participate in teaching at Radius National. They had a son together, who they brought with them on their missionary trip. Prior to his missionary work, Brooks worked as the CFO for a large company with generous benefits. Him and his wife were both very successful, however, they decided to leave their comfortable lives behind to submit to God’s calling for them.

Brooks’ message began with a description of what it meant to leave his life behind in order to serve God. He described his journey to the Yembiyembi people, an isolated people group located in Papua New Guinea, in 2013. These people had hardly been in touch with the outside world for a while, and up until 7 years prior to Brooks’ arrival, had practiced cannibalism. Despite their far from civilized civilization, the Yembiyembi people still felt that they needed something. They reached out for the gospel, so God brought them Brooks.

After an initial visit and much discussion amongst his peers, Brooks decided to take the Yembiyembi people on.

“We told them that we were going to come, and that we were going to be your missionaries. We’re going to do four things. We’re going to learn your language, we’re going to learn to speak how you speak. Number two, we’re going to teach you how to read and write in your own language; they didn’t have a written alphabet, so we had to develop an alphabet for them. Number three, we’re going to take this really important book and we’re going to translate this book into your language. And then number four, we’re going to teach you the meaning of this book.”

So Brooks did exactly that. He started from Genesis 1:1 all the way to the end of the Bible, and taught it to the Yembiyembi people. His hard work paid off. On April 21, 2008, the Yembiyembi people finally heard the message of the gospel in their own language. It’s very important to bring God’s word to unreached people groups, Brooks explains. He debunks the belief that “good hearted” people will go to heaven, despite never knowing Christ,as a theological fallacy.

“People don’t understand that the marching orders of the church are to get to the ends of the Earth. That’s why we exist as a church… [Some people] don’t understand that lost people like the Yembiyembi people and similar, go to hell if no one ever reaches out to these people. They will go to a Christless eternity. Some people don’t understand that. They believe, “Well there’s the third option that God will do for people who will never hear the gospel.” But that’s not true. We don’t find anything in the Bible, that’s a theological fallacy.”

He continues to say that the issue is that people don’t understand that it is our responsibility as Christians to reach out to people who have never heard of God. However, if we get too wrapped up in worldly things, we get lost, instead of following the plan that God has made for us. God plans on using his followers to bring others closer to him, but if his followers lose sight of what He wants them to do, other people pay the price. Brooks continues on to explain why he thinks Christians can be led astray and how to fix it.

“You know what I think is why people walk away from Christian Ministry? Why they walk away from living like Christains? I think it’s because we buy into the things that we want more than the things that our father wants.”

He ties this into the chapter of Luke 18.

“We find this in the story of a rich young ruler and how this was reconciled. Luke 18:18 it says this, “And a ruler asked him, good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” and Jesus said to him “Why do you call me good, no one is good except for God alone. You know the commandments.” And the young man said, “All of these I have kept from my youth.” So the young man didn’t understand the way that Jesus was phrasing the question, he didn’t understand that when you look at something and you look at something and you lust, or you look at something and you covet, or you look at someone and you’re angry, you’ve committed murder, theft, and adultery already. He said, I’ve lived a good life. And Jesus is going to peel back one more layer of the onion. Jesus said to him, you still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, distribute to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in heaven.” But the young man, not wanting to give up his life, walked away.”

When Brooks finished his message, Grant Todd, a youth pastor at Shadow Mountain closed the chapel with his takeaway.