Statement on Diversity and Unity for Mission
Diversity and unity for mission are biblical principles. From the beginning of creation, God institutes
diversity (Genesis 1:27-28) and throughout the pages of Scripture, we repeatedly nd diversity of
age (1 Timothy 4:12), female and male (Genesis 1:27), ethnicity and nationality (Revelation 14:6),
gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4), and abilities (Matthew 25:14-15), among others. As the chapters of the
Bible close, we nd a multitude “from every nation, tribe, people and language” standing before
God and praising Him (Revelation 7:9-10 NIV).
We airm beauty in the biblically founded diversity God has instilled in us. We also airm that God
calls us to grow in understanding and unity in Christ. “God created each person unique, and His
powerful inuence in our lives results in a celebration of dierences that respectfully values each
person’s human heritage and culture.”
1
We nd such unity in diversity throughout the Bible. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts,
but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as
to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to
drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; see also
Acts 13:1-3; Ephesians 2:14-16).
The purpose of unity is to advance our God-given mission which incorporates our shared values
which include compassion, justice, and well-being, following the command and example of Christ
(Isaiah 58:6-8; Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 14:6-12).
As Seventh-day Adventists, we live out the truth found in the Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental
Belief #14, Unity in the Body of Christ, that states: “In Christ we are a new creation. Distinctions of
race, culture, learning, nationality, and dierences between high and low, rich and poor, male and
female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us
into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality
or reservation.”
2
Therefore, Andrews University airms the inherent value of all humanity because each person has
been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). As such, we commit to:
• Loving our neighbor as we should love ourselves (Matthew 22:39);
• Looking out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-5);
• Repudiating favoritism and prejudice (James 2:1, 8, 9);
• Extending care and compassion for the wounded (Luke 10:30-37);
• Doing for “the least of these” as we should do for Christ (Matthew 25:34-40);
• Treating foreigners with love and respect (Leviticus 19:33, 34); and
• Acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
As we exemplify unity in diversity, we give evidence of the reality of our faith and our anticipation of
the “Blessed Hope”—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
Reviewed by Cabinet, 4/1/25; Diversity Council, 4/2/25; Faculty Senate, 4/16/25; and University Strategy & Policy
Committee, 4/22/25. Airmed by the Board of Trustees, 6/9/25.
1
“One Humanity: A human relations statement addressing racism, casteism, tribalism, and ethnocentrism.” Statement
voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee in Silver Spring, Maryland on
September 15, 2020. https://gc.adventist.org/oicial-statements/one-humanity-a-human-relations-statement-
addressing-racism-casteism-tribalism-and-ethnocentrism/
2
https://www.adventist.org/beliefs/#:~:text=We%20are%20all%20equal%20in,in%20one%20witness%20to%20all