about us - values
Values
University Ministries has chosen five guiding values that are central to the way we go about our work and life together. They are certainly not the only things that we value, but they are some of the most important to our ministry at North Park. It is our desire that we reflect and live out these values in what we do and who we are.
Relational
We seek to live and serve out of our relationship with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. We value people over programs and process over product. We are committed to working in a team environment, seeking to support and collaborate with others within our department and across the campus. We seek to live out a compelling witness to the Kingdom, as we intentionally and respectfully develop and nurture relationships with students, faculty and staff. We humbly invest ourselves in the lives of students, sharing our time, experience and guidance in an effort to mentor them in the way of Jesus.
Inclusive
We celebrate diversity and include people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic and worship backgrounds, and help everyone find a place in this community to genuinely express themselves. We seek out multi-cultural experiences, ministry opportunities and relationships, holding in equally high esteem the diverse cultures and lives of all people. We embrace and empower all members of the NPU community through the programs, processes and relationships of our department.
Honest
We seek to be women and men of consistent character, inside and outside of our work environment. We tell the truth. We seek to have integrity; to lead transparent, truthful, and blameless lives.
Relevant
We seek to know our students and their world, so that we may use tools that speak to them in a way that is culturally, racial-ethnically, and generationally appropriate and meaningful. We teach Christian truths in applicable and practical ways. We care about the whole person and commit to serve students, faculty and staff in ways that lead to a life of balance, health and wholeness. We seek to show the relevance of following Jesus in today’s world by encouraging a Kingdom understanding of the gospel: authentic community with God and others, transformational discipleship, and bringing God’s mercy and justice to our world.
Prophetic
We recognize that faith is a journey and embrace students in that process, while also expecting, encouraging, and supporting growth and transformation. We seek to be salt and light in this world, radically following Jesus’ example of a counter-cultural witness to the status quo. We seek to positively impact our community by both serving our neighbors and challenging practices and policies of injustice that hinder their wellness, access and success.