Carlos Lopez-Terazzas ‘23 encourages peers during chapel
Senior Carlos Lopez-Terazzas shared the message at middle and high school chapels on Oct. 6. Based on the Christian life theme of “revive,” this year’s chapel messages focus on the prefix “re-,” and Lopez-Terazzas taught about the word “refine.”
He explained that to refine is “to remove impurities or unwanted substances.” Students were encouraged to view seasons of hardships as times of refinement.
To demonstrate this lesson, Lopez-Terazzas invited English teacher Brooks Hanrahan to the stage for a finger fencing challenge during high school chapel. He used his own defeat in front of all his peers to remind other students to not let their circumstances define them, but to rely on God even when life seems tough.
To demonstrate this lesson, Lopez-Terazzas invited English teacher Brooks Hanrahan to the stage for a finger fencing challenge during high school chapel. He used his own defeat in front of all his peers to remind other students to not let their circumstances define them, but to rely on God even when life seems tough.
“Flames and hardships take away the impurities of things we value too much and leave behind a stronger person,” shared Lopez-Terazzas.
He directed his peers to look to Mark 4 when the disciples fear the great storm and wake Jesus to calm it.
Mark 4:35-41 tells of how Jesus asked the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Lopez-Terazzas reminded students that Christians are not immune to storms and hardship. He shared about a hard season that his family walked through when his father was admitted to the hospital. Lopez-Terazzas described feeling powerless, but he was encouraged to turn to God – the only One who could help his family.
He implored his classmates and peers to place their hope not in their circumstances, but in God by asking Him for help just as the disciples did.
“God is using these times to refine you and bring you closer to Him,” concluded Lopez-Terazzas.
Thank you, Carlos, for sharing God’s Word with middle and high school students!
