An Election Message from President Kulaga

Last week, Dr. Jon Kulaga, President of Ohio Christian University, sent an email to all faculty, staff, and students regarding the upcoming election. We thought it fitting to share his thoughts today with you, the public. We are so thankful to have this wise man at the helm of the university and hope you are as challenged by his words as we, the university family, were.

Dear All,

Next week we will be entering another national General Election that will determine who will be the next President of the United States for the next four years.  Tuesday, November 3, 2020 is voting day – so be sure to vote and let your voice be heard.  It’s a great privilege many citizens of other countries do not enjoy.

I am writing because, as you may have noticed, the rhetoric leading up to this year’s election has been divisive and toxic.  Both sides can take credit for adding to that evaluation. Friends, and even family members, have been divided by something as secondary to our Christian identity – as who we will be voting for.   No doubt, our nation will remain divided long after November 3rd comes and goes – no matter who gets to live in the big White House come January 2021.

And that divisive attitude is our potential as well, at Ohio Christian University.  But it need not be our destiny.  Christian author Philip Yancey has observed that almost all the crimes committed in Christian history have come about when religion is confused and intertwined with politics.   Probably because most of the time, politics runs by rules of ungrace – and there is an allure and temptation to trade grace for power.  And, we, as fallen creatures, can also be tempted to give in to that temptation.  But we need not.

Next week our Chapel time on Monday, November 2, 2020 - will be a time of guided prayer (no speakers) – to reflect and to pray for all our local, state and national leaders.  And our country.  We will also want to pray for friends who have surrendered their primary identity in Christ, for a secondary identity in politics, for they will suffer great emotional distress over the election’s results.  Tuesday, November 3, 2020 – will be the day to cast your vote.  On Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – our Chapel time will once again be a time of guided prayer.  To once again, pray for our local, state and national healing.  Post-election Day.

Our destiny is not to be a campus divided by politics – but a community united by grace. 

So, let’s lean into next week – together – and walk as a community of grace.   And let’s be a LIGHT to a dark world.  And SALT, to a culture that has lost its taste.

Praying with, and for, you all,

Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.

President