IN 1976, an audacious little college opened its doors. Thirty-six students arrived on a campus consisting of a single building. One side looked out over the emerging city of Irvine, California. The other over empty hills. With just five professors and two full-time professional staff members, they knew everyone by name. Together they took a leap of faith, trusting that God had guided this humble beginning and would bless it.
Yet from the beginning, the founders believed the college’s success would never be measured merely by enrollment, buildings, or programs. They believed Christ had called this college into existence for a purpose: to participate in his Great Commission of making disciples.
For over twenty years faithful leaders and members of local churches had pursued a vision of starting a new college in Southern California. They were troubled that the closest Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod college, at that time a junior college, was 1,000 miles away. The closest four-year LCMS college was 1,400 miles away.
They prayed and planned in the face of big challenges. Twelve years earlier, after evaluating nearly one hundred sites, they purchased property in the empty hills of Irvine. They had sought and received the approval of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at five successive church conventions. They had incorporated four years earlier and called a president. Finally, the day was here.
It was, to be sure, a strange time to start a college. The LCMS had recently closed several colleges. More than a few people questioned the wisdom of the endeavor. One single building is a college? Only five full-time faculty? Everyone wore multiple hats. The entire student body could fit in a single classroom and then walk upstairs to their dorm rooms. It all seemed a little crazy.
But God was faithful. Countless people prayed, gave, and worked to bring this college to reality.
While most of the LCMS colleges were named Concordia, this one was different. Its original name was Christ College Irvine. And from day one it proclaimed a dedication to the Great Commission of Christ Jesus:
“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. Behold I am with you always to the end of the ages” (Matthew 28:16-20).
That Great Commission continues to guide the university today. Christ gathers his people and sends them into the world as witnesses. From the beginning, Christ College understood that making disciples meant both nurturing faith and sharing the Gospel with others.
Even before the college was open, one of its first promotional items was simply a copy of the New Testament. Thousands of these Bibles were distributed. It carried the Christ College logo, but the main emphasis was sharing the word of God with others. It wasn’t a slick brochure but a Bible. Making disciples mattered more than anything else.
Our founders believed that the Great Commission impacted the focus of the university in many ways. While most of the universities of the United States sought to emulate the great universities of Europe, our founders believed the Great Commission called Christians to think globally. They wanted to look across the Pacific—to the mission and opportunities found in other countries. Today many universities recognize the importance of doing this but even in the earliest years we welcomed students from Hong Kong, India, and other parts of the world.
All of this, and more, was summarized in the theme of Christ College. It was “The Great Commission College.” Jesus’ commission was lived out in the students who were welcomed, the Gospel that was proclaimed, and formation in faith and life. It was put into practice off campus as students took part in God’s mission. One of the earliest student organizations was SAVE (Students in Action with a Vision for Evangelism). Faculty helped equip students to assist area congregations in reaching out to their communities with the good news of Jesus. Early classes began serving in missions in Mexico, with many other mission projects throughout the world following in later years.
They trusted the Lord who sent them. Yes, the church is called to make disciples, but we are not sent alone. Jesus, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth is given, sends us with a promise: “I am with you always.” They trusted that promise. It is his mission. He invites us to join. God was with them, and God was with this college.
The next few years saw the college grow both in enrollment and in facilities. In 1979, with two new buildings completed, a service of dedication for the campus was held under the theme from Esther 4:14: “For such a time as this.” This Bible verse summarized a sense of purpose for a young college that was dedicated to providing an excellent, well-rounded education, grounded in the Christian faith, and dedicated to the Great Commission. It was exactly the kind of college that was needed. It was here to serve. And God was always with us.
Much has changed in 50 years. As programs and degrees increased, the college became a university. When the LCMS united its colleges into the Concordia University System, the name of the institution was changed to align with that system, and we became Concordia University Irvine. But the mission was not forgotten. Christ College continued as one of the university’s schools, focusing on church work preparation. In later years it expanded to include undergraduate and graduate theological education, ministry programs, and church-work formation opportunities such as the Cross-cultural Ministry Center. The Great Commission wasn’t just the work of Christ College, however. It was guiding the whole university. And God was always with us.
Through the years that commitment has taken many forms: preparing church workers, educating Christian teachers, equipping healthcare professionals, serving international students, sending mission teams, and cultivating lives of faithful service in every vocation. While programs and opportunities have changed, the university’s commitment to Christ’s mission has remained constant.
More departments, academic disciplines, professional programs, and co-curriculars were added. The student body grew tremendously—from thirty-six students to more than four thousand. Athletics expanded from intramurals to NCAA DII competition. A small choir grew into a world-class music program. Those first students went out into their various callings in the church and world. In every vocation they carried with them the Christian faith that shaped their years at Concordia.
Today, Concordia alumni have served throughout the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Whatever their calling, they’ve gone as witnesses.
Likewise, God continued to bless Concordia with dedicated staff and faculty. The campus is much more developed—and has expanded into multiple locations. This fall, when we remember a college’s founding in a single building, we dedicate two brand new buildings and a newly enlarged and enhanced center for worship and the performing arts. And God remains faithful to his promise to be with us always.
For fifty years, that mission has been lived out one student at a time. Thousands have arrived on campus seeking an education and discovered something more: a community centered on Christ. They have studied with faculty who viewed teaching as a calling, worshiped together in chapel, wrestled with questions of faith and vocation, and prepared for lives of service. Some entered church work professions. Others became leaders in business, healthcare, education, government, the arts, and countless other fields. The Great Commission was never limited to a single profession. It shaped graduates who sought to serve Christ wherever He called them.
The founders could never have imagined every detail of what Concordia University Irvine would become. They could not have foreseen every building, every academic program, every student, faculty member, or graduate. But they trusted the One who did.
The same Lord who guided a tiny college of thirty-six students continues to guide this university today. Along the way He has worked through thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, pastors, church workers, congregations, and friends whose faith and generosity have sustained this mission.
The mission remains unchanged. The Gospel remains unchanged. Christ’s commission remains unchanged. And the promise remains unchanged: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”