January 29, 2026 (Ontario, Calif.) -- During spring convocation January 29 at Gateway Seminary, President Adam Groza described the vital role of courage in faithful ministry.

Groza began his sermon with God’s command for courage in Joshua 1:7.

“It takes courage to enroll in Seminary, to keep chipping away at your degree and not give up,” he said to students.

“It takes courage to lead, it takes courage to preach and not skip the hard parts, it takes courage to confront sin...Faithful ministry requires courage.”

Alongside his call to courage, God supplies courage to his people. Referring to John 16:33, Groza pointed out that Jesus contrasts what people can expect from the world with what they can find in him.

“In this world you can expect trouble, trials, opposition, and persecution,” Groza said.

“But Jesus says ‘in Me you find peace and courage to go forward in faith.’”

He continued by demonstrating what is unique about the Christian concept of courage: it is founded on Christ himself. It isn’t derived from positive thinking, personal strengths, karma, or ‘the universe,’ Groza explained. It comes from knowing Christ who has overcome the world.

“The courage we need for faithful ministry comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. The more we know Him, the more we know His love for us, the more courage we will possess”

Groza listed some brave people in the Bible, but said Jesus is the greatest example one could look to as a model of courage.

“We see the courage of Jesus on display at every turn; talking to people others would have avoided, saying things that were true—and which needed to be said—but which others found offensive, courage to love his enemies, and of course, courage to go to a cross,” he said.

Groza read aloud, from Matthew 26, the narrative of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

“On the night he was betrayed, Jesus showed us the kind of courage which is ours for the taking,” he said.

“[Jesus] didn’t fight, flee, or freeze—he followed.”

“He followed the will of the Father. He chose to do what is right even in the face of danger, and that is courage.”

Groza said Jesus found courage in communion with the Father and in the sovereignty of the Triune God, and Christ’s followers can do the same. 

“Jesus models the courage that we need in ministry…We too can draw near to God and trust in the Fathers love and sovereignty” he said.

“Jesus tells us life and ministry will be hard, courage is required, and courage is provided.”

Click here to watch the convocation message.

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