By Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
The University of Mount Olive celebrated its 73rd anniversary at Founder’s Day on Tuesday, November 12. This annual event, dedicated to recognizing the University's history, values, and impact, featured guest speaker Luis Miranda, a 2008 alumnus. Miranda, a pastor, educator, and first-generation college graduate, brought a message of resilience, faith, and the power of leadership through times of change.
Miranda, the senior pastor of Rivermont Baptist Church and principal at Wayne Christian School, talked about his own personal journey. As the son of immigrant parents who came to the U.S. in the early 1980s and raised by a single mother, he reflected on how God works in unexpected ways. “Standing here as a UMO alumnus is a testament to the unexpected paths that God can create,” he said. He talked about how his educational path at UMO, driven by a calling to ministry, has opened doors to various leadership roles in the corporate world, ministry, and education.
In his speech titled, Leading Through Change: Embracing God’s New Work in Times of Transition, Miranda explored the complexities of leadership, especially during challenging times. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 43:19, he said, “Leadership is rarely smooth and predictable. We often find ourselves on the edge of what is familiar, looking out at an uncertain horizon. Isaiah’s words challenge us to see beyond the discomfort and trust that God is doing something new, even when it’s hard to perceive.”
Miranda’s message emphasized that Christian leadership requires courage and faith to see opportunities in challenging moments. His message also touched on the emotional aspects of transition. Quoting from Gavin Adam’s Big Shoes to Fill, he spoke about the often-overlooked grief that accompanies change. “Transitions involve loss, and that loss deserves to be grieved,” he explained. Miranda highlighted the need for leaders to recognize not only the strategic but also the emotional dimensions of change. “If these feelings are ignored or misunderstood, ‘the loss will be buried alive, creating all sorts of grief for them and for you as their leader,’” he said, noting that this unacknowledged grief can hinder unity and progress.
Miranda outlined three pillars that guide leaders through periods of transition:
1. Spiritual Anchoring: Staying grounded in faith is essential for leaders. “Leadership is not a solo journey but is deeply connected to faith and fellowship,” he reminded the audience.
2. Vision and Innovation: Leaders must look beyond immediate discomfort to see God’s work. “Isaiah’s call to ‘perceive’ the new challenges us to recognize God’s work even when it is not immediately visible,” Miranda said.
3. Empowering Others: Leaders should validate the losses their team members feel during transitions. “Acknowledging these ungrieved losses is not just compassionate; it's strategic,” Miranda emphasized. This approach helps create spaces of renewal and unity, aligning with Isaiah’s message of “rivers in the desert.”
In closing, Miranda encouraged the UMO community to “always look beyond the horizon, trusting in the new path God is carving for you and your communities.” His words highlighted not just the individual leader’s journey but also the collective experience of those being led. As the UMO family celebrated Founders Day, Miranda’s message served as a reminder of the power of faith-driven leadership and the importance of trusting God’s plans through all of life’s transitions.
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