As a university that clearly declares itself as a Christian University, every student leader at University of Pelita Harapan (UPH) must apply Christ-centered as their leadership. Not only in the teaching and learning process at UPH, but also in every interaction and activity he/she does. This is the message of the Cornerstone Initiative activity. This activity is one of the ways to open every student leader’s mind at UPH to become a leader who walks with God.

Cornerstone Initiative was conducted again for the third time on Friday-Saturday, October 19th-20th, 2018 at Building D UPH Lippo Village. Yohanes Halim, one of the speakers on that event, revealed the importance of the existence and character of a leader.

“Leaders have a very important role. Every leader must realize to whom he must lean. The Bible clearly said that when leaders commit sins, all nations are punished, and when leaders obey God, all nations are blessed,” said Yohanes.

In the same way, the other speakers for Cornerstone Initiative 3 were Thomas Purnawan Suhardja, Tony Antonio, Raymond Liu, and Rev. Yung Tik Yuk.

Still according to Yohanes, it is important to create synergies between leaders, lecturers, and UPH students to have the same concept regarding to Christ-centered leadership. And one of the ways is conducting Cornerstone Initiative which will shape the student leader mindset as a leader in Christ.

“It is hoped that after participating in Cornerstone Initiative, every student who will become a leader can struggle the importance of Christ-centered leadership in their lives,” said Yohanes.

This was felt by Jeremy Emmanuel, the student from Management Study Program 2015. He joined Cornerstone Initiative in 2016 when he was the Chairman of UPH University Student Council (BEM). According Jeremy, by joining Cornerstone Initiative, he could change his perspective on becoming a leader.

“A meaning of leader in UPH organization is a God’s servant, just like when we serve in church. In Cornerstone Initiative, I was reminded that leaders must walk with God, not rely on themselves. Being active in the organization should not be only for self-actualization, but how we look at it as a form of service,” said Jeremy.

From Cornerstone Initiative activities, he also understood more about ‘calling’ in his life, which is serving young people. Therefore, in the future Jeremy hopes to be active in the ministry of UPH Student Life Department in suea

Similarly, Rachel Kumendong, the students of International Relations 2015, also learned her calling after joining Cornerstone Initiative. The former Cornerstone Initiative participant who once served as the Head of Spiritual Growth said that she wanted to do evangelism in the form of a mission team that reached many people outside UPH.

“In Cornerstone Initiative, I have ever been a participant, mentor, and now a committee. I see that a leader is someone who wants to serve. After being active in Cornerstone Initiative, I changed my mindset to continue making Christ as my foundation as a leader and a God servant,” said Rachel.

As a committee, Rachel also revealed that Cornerstone Initiative in this year has four main topics, Presented Leadership, Servant Steward Shepherd, Transformational Leadership, and Go and Make Disciple. Overall, Cornerstone Initiative 3 wants to convey that Christ is the foundation of leadership, so that the life of UPH student leader must be transformed and then serve in each organization he leads.