Reverend George S. Koopmans is a chaplain of Medicine Hat College in Alberta, Canada. Initially intending to become a farmer, he began his career working for a dairy equipment company and became a divisional manager. Following his calling into ministry, he earned a Master of Divinity degree and served as a pastor for almost 17 years before his current role. Reverend George is married with four daughters.
In his keynote address, Reverend George emphasized the importance of integrating faith with daily life and work. He praised Faith Leads University for its commitment to blending the word of God with business principles, highlighting the uniqueness of an institution that prepares students to live in both the kingdom of heaven and earthly realms.
He reminded graduates that the gospel message is simple yet profound: salvation through confessing and believing in Jesus Christ. Reverend George drew on Colossians 3:1-3, urging graduates to set their hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly matters. He illustrated this with the scenario of an air traffic controller, stressing the importance of balancing earthly responsibilities with spiritual focus.
Reverend George encouraged graduates to let their love for God permeate all aspects of life, using every opportunity to share Christ’s love through their work, whether as employers or employees. He drew a clear contrast between the world’s focus on accumulating material wealth and the Christian call to store treasures in heaven. He urged graduates to reject the notion that business and faith are separate realms and to let their faith guide their professional conduct.
He shared that his role as a campus chaplain involves guidelines, including a non-proselytizing clause, which he respects. However, he emphasized that living out one’s faith through love and actions is more impactful than coercion. Jesus calls us to be as shrewd as serpents but as gentle as doves, embodying love in all interactions.
Reverend George concluded by praying for the graduates, asking God to give them opportunities to show Christ’s love in their future careers. He encouraged them to integrate the business principles they learned with scriptural truths, becoming complete and whole followers of Christ prepared to advance His kingdom in the world. He urged graduates to let their faith shine through their actions, treat others with dignity and respect, and always give their best.
In summary, Reverend George’s message was a call to live a life where faith and professional excellence are intertwined, using every opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and advance His kingdom.
