Student Address: Heavenly Minded on Earth
Anthony Bonagura, Class of 2026, addresses Chapel Field 8th Grade graduates.
For this year's 8th Grade Graduation ceremony, we began a new tradition of inviting a graduating 12th Grade student to address the middle school graduates. From the Class of 2026, it was our pleasure to invite Anthony Bonagura—recipient of the 2026 Athlete of the Year, Theological Student of the Year, and Founders' Award—to deliver this year's commencement address.
Read his commencement address below—
Good morning graduates and families.
Graduates, today marks the end of your middle school careers.
Four years ago, I sat in the same spot at this same graduation ceremony. At the time, high school seemed long and full of mystery. Now, as I prepare to graduate myself, I can tell you that those four years passed quicker than I ever imagined. In a few months you'll be walking through these same hallways, maybe even new ones, starting a new chapter of your life.
The Bible tells a story that is moving toward a certain end. Christians may differ about some of the details of that end, but we agree on this central hope: Jesus Christ will return, the dead will be raised, evil will be defeated, and God will make all things new.
This hope is what Christians call eschatology, which means the study of the last things. Yet biblical eschatology is not merely about what will happen someday. It is about how God's promise should shape the way we live today.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20 that "our citizenship is in heaven." He also tells us in Colossians 3:2 to "set your minds on things above." These verses do not mean that Christians should ignore the world around them or spend their lives trying to escape it. Rather, they remind us that our ultimate home, our deepest loyalty, and our greatest hope are found in Christ and His kingdom.
Many people hear the phrase "heavenly minded" and imagine someone disconnected from reality. But true heavenly mindedness is exactly the opposite. To be heavenly minded is to see every part of life through the lens of eternity. It is to remember that grades, achievements, sports, and even future jobs are not the ultimate measure of a person's worth. What matters most is faithfulness to Christ.
Let us look at this matter under 3 points:
HOPE, PERSEVERANCE, COURAGE.
Because we know where history is headed, we can live with hope. The world often feels uncertain. You will encounter disappointment, failure, suffering, and confusion. Even in the next 4 years, you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Yet, we can have hope because we know that Christ has already conquered sin and death through His resurrection. We know that one day every tear will be wiped away and every wrong will be made right.
Because we know where history is headed, we can also live with perseverance. Having the lens of eschatology, we can live amidst the struggles of daily life with certainty that Christ is coming again to make all things right. When you are stressed, overwhelmed, or even persecuted, the certainty of Christ's return is a call to persevere until He comes again.
And because we know where history is headed, we can live with courage. The world will often pressure you to compromise your beliefs or remain silent about your faith. There may be times when standing for Christ is unpopular, especially for those leaving Chapel Field. But Christians have always been people of courage because they know that their hope rests not in the approval of others, but in the promises of God.
Many of you have spent years together in these classrooms. You have studied together, competed together, laughed together, and grown together. Some of you are excited for high school, while others may be nervous about what comes next. Some of you will continue here, and some of you will be moving on to new schools and new communities. Yet wherever you go, the lessons you have learned and the friendships you have formed will remain part of your story.
And as you leave middle school, you will carry many things with you. You will carry memories, friendships, lessons, and experiences. But above all, I hope you carry this conviction: your life is part of a much bigger story. You are not merely preparing for high school, college, or a career. You are preparing for eternity.
Do not measure your life by likes, rankings, awards, or applause. Those things fade. Measure your life by faithfulness to Christ. Love God. Love your neighbor. Pursue truth. Serve others. And seek first the kingdom of God.
The Christian hope is not that we will escape the world, but that Christ will save it. The final chapter of the Bible does not end with humanity leaving earth forever; it ends with God dwelling with His people and making all things new. We can live faithfully in the present, because the future belongs to God.
As you step into the next chapter of your lives, be heavenly minded and earthly faithful. That is to keep your affections in heaven, but to still be diligent to your tasks on earth. Let the promise of God's coming kingdom shape the way you study, work, worship, and love. Live in such a way that the hope of eternity is visible in your words and actions.
And may the God who has promised to make all things new fill you with hope, strengthen you in perseverance, and give you courage for every step of the journey ahead.
Congratulations, graduates, and may God bless you.
Anthony Bonagura,
Chapel Field Class of 2026
