Christmas Message: Let Us Actively Work in Embodying the Vision of YPH

The whole YPH big family?s christmas celebration carried the theme “His Story Lives on”, which took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. The christmas message was delivered by Dr. (Hon) James T. Riady, Founder of YPH, who expressed his gratitude for the help of God for the 21 years journey of YPH, the schools under the auspices of YPH which have already been spreading in areas around Indonesia, as well as the teachers that God has provided, scholars and students that God continues to send to study in schools and universities in YPH.

In particular, he expressed his optimism for the Faculty of Medicine (FK), Teachers College (TC), International Teachers College (ITC) and the Faculty of Nursing of UPH. He was also very proud of the TC that he thinks is the best teacher faculty not only domestically but also internationally. The TC graduates are even recognized as the best by the public. But it is not the main point of a teacher education. According to him, what must be anticipated the most is how the teachers can reach out and give an impact on future generations.

“I want children from remote areas and even from poor areas to be able to be educated here. Either for education field or for nursing field,” said James. He also announced that this Friday (December 12, 2014) Siloam Hospital in Kupang will be inaugurated, and he looks forward to serving people there.

In developing YPH, James said that quantity is not of the utmost important, but also the quality. That is why the Christian educators are needed, they are the ones who understand a holistic education. So that we can reach out and give impact. Currently, we have reached the western tip of Sumatra, Nias to Papua. He cited Jokowi?s slogan ‘work, work, work’ and also the slogan by Jusuf Kalla ‘the sooner the better’. By making the two leaders? passion as our role models, James invited all families of YPH to actively work in embodying the vision of YPH.

“Today is a Christmas celebration. There are many ways to celebrate Christmas. But do not let this be a superficial meaning of Christmas. True Christmas should be celebrated with Christ as the center. This is the foundation of YPH, namely the primacy of Christ,” he said.

James also urged to learn from the missionaries who brought change to many people, including Nomensen missionaries in Batak, the founders of the best Christian universities such as Wheaton College, Biola University, Corban University and also Johannes Oentoro, founder of UPH, they are very loyal in executing God’s call in their time. Through them, transformations have happened and they gave a great impact for future generations. He expressed his gratitude to 150 expartriates who have contributed to the education in YPH, but more importantly, to the lecturers and local staffs because they are the ones who are more familiar with local conditions and culture. “Let us all work together with Christ as our role model and all for God?s glory,” he said, ending the Christmas message. (rh)

UPH Media Relations