Honoured leaders, faculty, mentors, fellow graduates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is both a privilege and a humbling responsibility to stand before you today as the valedictorian of this graduating class. On behalf of all the graduates, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Haggai leadership, our facilitators, mentors, organizers, and everyone who invested their time, wisdom, prayers, and resources into this journey.

Today is a celebration—but it is more than a celebration of completion. It is a celebration of commissioning.

We gather not merely because we have finished 4 days of intensive classroom activities, but because we have been equipped for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Throughout this conference, we have sat in different sessions, engaged in discussions, reflected on our calling, been a bit too competitive especially with the colours of red and green, and challenged our assumptions. We have learned about a variety of topics from the biblical mandate to the discipline of a leader, next-generation leadership to communicating and leading with goals set as a steward. Each topic was distinct and together they formed a powerful picture of what it means to serve God’s mission faithfully.

At the heart of it all stands the vision of Haggai: to end gospel poverty.

Gospel poverty is not simply the absence of resources. It is the absence of access to the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. It is the reality that many communities, leaders, and nations still lack sufficient opportunities to hear, understand, and respond to the Gospel.

As we reflect on the lessons we’ve learned, we realize that every session was preparing us to address this challenge.

Let’s start with our enthusiastic session on the biblical mandate, where Leroy reminded us why we do what we do. The Great Commission is not a suggestion; it is Christ’s command. Before discussing strategies, leadership, or goals, we must remember that our mission begins with obedience. We are called to make disciples, to be witnesses, and to bring the hope of Christ wherever God has placed us.

Ultimately the greatest love story this world will ever know is the sacrifice of God’s only Son for the sins of the world.

Yet obedience requires consistency. That is why the lesson on discipline was so important. Ritchie Tay reminded us that impact is not built on occasional inspiration but on daily faithfulness. That we are free to choose but we are not free to choose the consequences. Great ministries, effective leaders, and transformed communities are often the result of countless unseen acts of obedience. Discipline shapes character, and character sustains calling.

Petite in stature but mighty in spirit, Swee See opened our mouths, ears and even our acting skills to effective communication. In a world filled with noise, misinformation, and division, the ability to communicate the Gospel with clarity, wisdom, and grace is more important than ever. The Gospel remains the same, but the way we engage different audiences requires intentionality. Whether we are speaking from a pulpit, leading an organization, mentoring a young person, or having a conversation with a neighbour, our words have the power to influence hearts and minds. No matter we stumble or falter in speech like Moses, if we L.I.N.K up with the Spirit, starting spiritual conversations become a way of life rather than an inner fear.

The session on biblical stewardship challenged us to rethink ownership and our understanding of Kingdom discipleship. Everything we have – our time, talents, temple, treasures, territory, truth and relationships – belongs ultimately to God. We are not owners; we are stewards. Our work is our worship to God, not to this world. Koon Tatt will forever remain a controversial banker to this class so maybe don’t bring up the phrase “Win all you can” to any of our graduates. The question is not how much we possess, but how faithfully we use what God has entrusted to us for His kingdom purposes.

We started with a breath of fresh energy with the module on the next generation with Susan’s inspiring testimonies. Around us, a new generation is searching for meaning, identity, and purpose. They are navigating challenges that previous generations could hardly imagine. Yet they are not merely the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. While generations before us have had similar problems, temptations remain the same no matter the generation but with the development of digital platforms, problems have been amplified and so should our outreach follow suit. We were challenged not simply to prepare successors but to invest intentionally in emerging leaders, empowering them to carry the Gospel further than we ever could. May all who come behind us, find us faithful.

Hock Siew probably had us climbing up Mount Kinabalu 70 times as we explored effective leadership. Leadership, we learned, is not about position or title. It is about influence, service, and responsibility. The greatest leaders are not those who seek prominence but those who empower others. We may be the only bible someone ever reads so we need to intentionally plan how we evangelize. God-breathed leaders move with humility, integrity, and courage. They understand that leadership is not measured by how many people follow them, but by how many people they equip to fulfill God’s calling.

And finally, Alex drove us to dream dreams and visualize God’s purpose in our lives through goal setting. Vision without action remains only a dream. God calls us not merely to have good intentions but to pursue purposeful action. Goals provide direction, accountability, and measurable steps toward fulfilling the mission God has entrusted to us. They help transform conviction into commitment and commitment into impact. Our influence not limited to our circle of influence but what could be the odd puzzle piece that could set forth God’s purpose plan through us.

As graduates, we leave this conference carrying more than notes, certificates, and memories. We leave with responsibility.

The true measure of this program will not be what happened during these sessions. The true measure will be what happens after we return home.

Will we apply what we have learned?
Will we lead with greater courage?
Will we steward resources more faithfully?
Will we communicate more effectively?
Will we invest in the next generation more intentionally?
Will we pursue God’s mission with greater focus and discipline?

These questions now belong to each of us.

As I look around this room, I see leaders from different backgrounds, professions, ministries, and communities. We come from different experiences, some having been in the mission field and carrying out social concerns initiatives for years, some who are new to the faith and still trying to share the gospel to an immediate family member but we share one common calling: to advance God’s kingdom and make Christ known. We must remember that this generation of Christians are responsible for the generations of souls on the earth.

Imagine what could happen if every graduate here fully embraced that calling.

Imagine churches strengthened.
Imagine communities transformed.
Imagine emerging leaders mentored.
Imagine organizations led with integrity.
Imagine resources stewarded for eternal impact.
Imagine people who have never heard the Gospel finally receiving the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

This is not merely wishful thinking. This is the potential that God places before us.

However, none of this will happen through our own strength alone. One lesson that echoes throughout Scripture is that God’s work is accomplished through God’s power. Our education, experience, skills, and strategies are valuable, but they are insufficient without the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, as we celebrate today, let us do so with humility. Let us remember that we are servants before we are leaders. We are disciples before we are influencers. We are stewards before we are decision-makers.

Graduation is often described as an ending, but today feels much more like a beginning. A beginning of something far greater beyond us because without God, we cannot and without us, God will not.

This certificate is not a finish line—it is a launchpad.
This gathering is not a conclusion—it is a commissioning.

The vision of ending gospel poverty remains unfinished. The mission field remains vast. The opportunities remain countless. The need remains urgent.

And perhaps that is why God brought us here: leaders representing decades of experience, diverse cultures, and unique backgrounds, all brought together and empowered by faith and the love of a sisterhood in Christ.

Not simply to learn.
Not simply to connect.
Not simply to graduate.
But to be sent.

As we leave this place, may we carry forward the biblical mandate with conviction, practice discipline with consistency, communicate truth with wisdom, steward God’s resources faithfully, invest in the next generation intentionally, lead with humility, and pursue meaningful goals that advance God’s kingdom.

May we become leaders who do not merely talk about transformation but participate in it.

May we become leaders who do not simply accumulate knowledge but multiply impact.

And may we become leaders who, by God’s grace, help bring hope where there is despair, truth where there is confusion, and the Gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and till the ends of the earth.

On behalf of the graduating class, thank you to everyone who has walked this journey with us.

May God bless Haggai, may God bless the work represented in this room, and may He use each one of us to fulfil His mission in our generation.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.

Let us go forward – not just as graduates, but as faithful servants and transformational leaders for the glory of God.

Thank you, and to God be all the Glory.

Andrea Varsha