Unity in Community: A Look at Evangelical Unity Week at CIU

“Evangelical unity is who we are and who we are called to be,” said Education Professor Dr. Joseph Craft, kicking off  Evangelical Unity week, a focus on one of CIU’s core values.

Craft spoke on the value of community in unity as we live the Christian life saying, “It’s not for me to do alone, but for me to do in unity with those around me.”

“I thought that Dr. Craft bringing up the Redwood trees and how they have shallow roots, but their roots are all intertwined with the trees around them was a really good image for the body of Christ and how Christians are to uplift and support one another in our weaknesses, said Mary Hockenberry, an Intercultural Studies and Bible major. “We should be willing to sacrifice our time for others.”

Dr. Jake Bolotano, a CIU doctoral student and native of the Philippines, discussed injustices toward the Asian American Pacific Islander community in the United States, and how to work toward a solution. He stated that the Bible commands us to love our enemies rather than to respond in hate to injustice. To achieve unity, Christians are to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility, value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Military veteran Dr. Marlo Brayboy, the assistant director of CIU’s Academic Success Center, furthered the message of unity through community by pointing out that evangelical unity is only found in the right posture. Christians frequently look at the chaos and turmoil around them when they should place themselves in a position where they are focused on God. Evangelical unity is not simply a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, but is diversity and inclusivity working together under the banner of Christ. Brayboy pointed out that there is safety and security that is only found in Jesus.

Philosophy major Joseph Brinkley said that Brayboy was a good choice to speak on the topic of the week because of his military experience.  

“He has the right background to talk about unity given how much the military likes to break people’s habits and transform them into something that they think is good,” Brinkley said.

A closing panel discussion included Seminary Professor Dr. Andre Rogers, Intercultural Studies Professor Dr. Michelle Raven, Dr. Joseph Craft and Donna Thompson, assistant dean for spiritual formation.

The panel expounded on the value of evangelical unity at CIU, with Craft concluding that in all CIU’s classes the professors don’t talk about it as a separate subject, but it is something that, like the gospel, permeates through everything.

Listen to the Evangelical Unity Week messages on CIU's podcast page. 

Community is at the heart of CIU. With record enrollment for five straight years, CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.