CORE VALUES

These values represent our most deeply held beliefs. They guide our decisions, leadership practices, and community life. All of our organizational actions will reflect these core values.

Community: The idea of community shapes our mission to the university and leads to our priority of coming together for biblically commanded action. The salvation of Jesus offers incorporation into the people of God as well as forgiveness of sins. As a collegiate community, we should be “salt and light,” showing the world what it means to authentically love God and one’s neighbor.

Creativity: God is first revealed in Scripture as a creative God. As a ministry, we want to respect what works well traditionally while being open to new methods and solutions. The Holy Spirit will release to us new ways, ideas, and plans.

Diversity: Each student possesses unique gifts, and we encourage their full implementation in the community. A diverse community reflects a reconciliation of students from all campus demographics to Jesus. We also accept diverse methods and approaches to ministry. These unique ministry expressions are a demonstration of what God is doing on our campus, so we encourage their effective application.

Excellence: Striking performance, exceptional virtue, and continuous improvement exemplify excellence. Excellence goes the “second mile” by doing the best possible job. It calls out of us far more than we can possibly imagine, guides how we make significant choices, and causes us to discover our God-given capabilities. Excellence depicts our approach to leadership, work, organizational actions, and life.

Integrity: Integrity describes the state of sound moral uprightness. It is characterized by honesty, respect, and sincerity. Integrity, in its simplest biblical definition, means wholeness or completeness. To have integrity is to be in a partnership with the Holy Spirit, which proves our credibility and gives plausibility to those we minister to and within our communities on campus. Integrity promotes long-term success.

Servanthood: Servanthood places the good of those led and their progressive maturity over the self-interest of the leader. It shares power and status for the good of each individual and the community. Its chief motive is to serve first as opposed to lead first, and its final goal is to empower others to become servants themselves.

CORE BELIEFS

The following points represent our most deeply held biblical beliefs. They direct our teaching, community life, decisions, and leadership practices and development. All of our organizational actions will reflect these theological values.

The Trinity: The trinity, a beautiful mystery of our faith, is one God yet three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:21-22; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

• God the Father. The Father is characterized by love. God’s love is the only power that can transform our broken lives and world. God desires each of us accept and know his love. His love empowers us to love others. (John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:7-11)
• God the Son. We desire to know the Son (Jesus Christ), give him a place of honor, allow his ministry to work through our lives, and make him known to others. (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15-23)
• God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth and guides us in all aspects of life and ministry. He gives us spiritual strength to worship God and encourage one another. Every person receives the Holy Spirit when he/she chooses to follow Jesus. In addition, God desires every follower of Jesus to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, which is a greater empowerment to share Jesus Christ with others and live more intimately with God. (John 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:3-11; Galatians 5:22-25)

Salvation: Sin separates all of us from God. Jesus Christ, God in human form, can forgive our sins and renew our relationships with God because he came to Earth, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus’s death was the sacrifice that paid the price for our sins; his resurrection overcame death (separation from God), so by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive new life, which reunites us with God. (John 1:14; Romans 3:23, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:13-14)

The Gospel: The Bible reveals God’s powerful truth in our lives today, transcending time and culture. Every person needs the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel message, a message always shared in genuine love and the individual’s cultural context. (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 9:22)

Service: Serving others is the outward reflection of our love for God. We should follow Jesus’s example by loving our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 22:25-27; Philippians 2:5-8)

Prayer: Prayer is communicating with God. Whether by talking or listening, we engage God and learn from him. Talking to God, either individually or communally, releases his power to transform our lives and the physical and spiritual world around us. Listening to God allows us to hear him encouraging us, giving us wisdom, and revealing himself to us. (1 Samuel 3:7-10; Matthew 6:9-13; James 5:13-16; John 10:3-4)

Leadership: God has given every person unique abilities. Intentional leadership development prepares every follower of Jesus for a life of service so they can use their abilities to serve our church family and the world around us. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-13)

Lifestyle: Christianity involves all aspects of life. We strive for integrity and Godly character in order to exemplify Jesus Christ in all we are and all we do. (John 13:34-35; Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)