"The core values identify
a very specific understanding of what it means to be a disciple
of Jesus Christ"
~ David Miller '79, University Mennonite
Church Pastor, State College, Pa.
Christ-centered
We believe God is the foundation of all wisdom and knowledge.
Through Christ we find merciful forgiveness and an invitation
to a daily, personal walk empowered by the Holy Spirit. We
are led by Christ in our search for truth.
I Corinthians 3:11: “For no one can lay any foundation
other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is
Jesus Christ.”
Passionate learners
We
believe our faith is supported by knowledge. As a learning
community, we foster a journey of lifelong learning, encouraging
one another to seek truth with fervor. This spirit of academic
excellence enriches our relationships, our world and our faith
in Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:5-8: “For this very reason, you must make
every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness
with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control
with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness
with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For
if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they
keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Servant leaders
We believe that servant leadership is reflected perfectly
in the life and person of Jesus Christ. We humbly set aside
self-interest for the interests of others, because love for
others builds up God’s community. By following Christ’s
example, we create a culture characterized by joyful service.
Matthew 20:26-28: “But whoever wishes to be great among
you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among
you must be your slave; just as the Son of [God] came not
to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many.”
Compassionate
peacemakers
As Christian peacemakers, we embrace “shalom”
– the peace that God intends for humanity. We are committed
to build the “peaceable kingdom” by practicing
loving kindness, restoring justice, practicing anti-racism,
loving our enemies and advocating for the dispossessed. We
renounce the oppressive, violent destructive powers of this
world – and are willing to live our lives as examples
of God’s peace.
Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
will be called children of God.”
Global citizens
As responsible global citizens, we see, encourage and celebrate
the image of God in others. We welcome and include the ‘stranger’
in our midst – respecting differences in world views
while seeking common ground. We wish to transcend barriers
between people not only through academic teaching and learning,
but also in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. We go into
the world offering our gifts and lives in service to others.
II Corinthians 5:18-20: “All this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was
reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation
to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making
his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.”
