It was a new beginning for Concordia College Monday morning when the school held its opening convocation to welcome students and faculty to the first day of class.

Students and their families, along with faculty and staff, filled the Julius and Mary Jenkins Center to start the year off.

“It is wonderful to be back, and it’s time today that we begin our academic year for 2015-2016,” said Dr. Tilahun Mendedo, president of Concordia College Alabama. “I am very honored to have distinguished guests, pastors, faculty members, staff and new students, returning students and parents here.”

As Mendedo and others spoke to students new and old and the faculty and staff, each one instilled the school’s 2015-2016 motto of “First Things First” in their minds.

“Friends, you have an outstanding CCA mission statement and a great theme for this academic year,” said the Rev. David Stechholz, president and bishop of the English District for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

“Dr. Mendedo and others will have a lot to share with you about that in the next few weeks.”

As Stechholz gave the opening sermon, he asked students to focus on why they are here and what their purpose of being at CCA truly is.

“What lies ahead for you? As a child of God here at CCA, are you in for continuing adventure in learning and growing in wisdom, ability and knowledge?” Stechholz asked.

“So first, focus on why you are here. My young friends, scholars, you know why you are here. It is not to find a spouse or to get away from home, though you may have a wonderful chance to spread your wings on your own and soar on your own apart from home … but you are here at this Christian institution to obtain an academic degree and graduate.”

Stechholz encouraged them all to strive for their goals and to work hard, even when times get tough.

“The apostle Paul indicates that an athlete competing for a trophy or medal is a good metaphor for your life in Jesus Christ,” Stechholz said. “We strain, I strain and you strain against our sinful nature, but like an athlete we are straining, poised forward as in the start of not a race, but life. Your college education is not a sprint or a dash. It is much more like a 26-mile plus marathon.”

Dr. Mendedo reminded students that even though there are many activities going on in their college lives, they should prioritize them to make sure they are headed in the right direction.

“We always value first things first,” Mendedo said. “New students and faculty members, as you join the Hornets, I want you to be reminded that here God is first, your academia second and all other activities third. Never lose sight or forget the order.”

As the ceremony came to a close, students were dismissed for their first day of class.

“You, your family or others are investing in you to learn all you can. That will take discipline like an athlete training for a marathon,” Stechholz said. “It will take discipline to meet the daily rigors of study and learning, even ahead of all the other things that happen in college life.”