I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Religion Department is to challenge students to a lifelong commitment to Jesus who is the Center of a Seventh-day Adventist world view. This world view is rooted in the Great Controversy--God's creation of the world, His response to sin through the mission of Jesus, and Christ's triumphant return. We seek to fulfill this mission by equipping students to interpret Scripture carefully, apply its principles thoughtfully, and to actuate its message in lives of service and mission to the church and the world.

This mission becomes especially focused in the training of both our religion and theology majors, many of whom seek employment in professional ministry. The department's mission reaches beyond campus by providing resources for the broad community of faith.

II. Vision Statement

Our expectation is that each student seeking a four-year degree, having taken about eighteen quarter hours of work in courses offered by our department, will be nurtured in a personal relationship with Jesus, and be able to:

1. make appropriate application of the Bible to the modern world informed by the ancient contexts of the biblical documents;

2. formulate a personal ethic for living based on biblical foundations;

3. integrate Christian faith, learning and service while still in college;

4. practice a life of service and mission in the sure knowledge that they have chosen the most fulfilling pattern of life.

Theology majors will add to the above more extensive work and knowledge in the biblical materials and a broad range of knowledge and skills in practical theology--preaching, evangelism, pastoral nurturing, and church leadership.