Developing Community through Cultural Humility
At Biola, we hope to build a community in which all of us - regardless of background, identity or story - belong and thrive as valued members of God’s kingdom. God designed his Church to be one body with many and diverse parts, and each of us has a unique identity that is a valued part of God’s Church. Just as the early church lived out their new identity in Christ as a redeemed, unified, diverse people who crossed ethnic and gender divides in order to spread the gospel (Acts 8:4-8, 26-40, Acts 10:1-48, Acts 16:6-15), we also strive to be a community that is both unified and valuing of difference. Learn more about the “Why” behind God’s value for diversity in Biola’s Theological Statement on Diversity: “Unity Amidst Diversity.”
Developing a kingdom-community marked by belonging and thriving involves fostering cultural humility. Cultural humility involves learning about our own cultural background, as well as the cultural backgrounds of others. We grow together when we learn to recognize and value others’ differences, understand a diverse range of perspectives, and acknowledge that our differences enrich the whole community.
Dig into more learning about and valuing your own and other cultural backgrounds through the resources Biola has to offer!
Student Enrichment and Intercultural Development (SEID)
Enhancing academic success and personal development of students from diverse backgrounds through holistic support.
Global Student Engagement (GSE)
Serving, equipping and empowering global students toward whole-person, intercultural development.
Campus Resources
What one small step can you take to practice cultural well-being?
Build your Community
- Connect with and learn from those of your own cultural background with Affinity Groups.
- Connect with other Global Students in Community Groups.
- Engage in a long-held tradition of embodied worship with the Gospel Choir.
- Join a multicultural or heritage club to celebrate your background.
- First in your family to attend college? Celebrate your achievements with the First Gen community.
Check out Campus Resources & Events
- Join the conversation with GRIT - on the blog and on Instagram.
- Learn from the diversity of God’s kingdom on the Student Life Blog.
- Connect with and learn from students who grew up outside of the United States with Global Student Engagement. Stay connected @GSEBiola.
- Will you be the first in your generation to graduate with a bachelor’s degree? Celebrate with FirstGen programs.
- Stay in touch with SEID’s happenings @SEIDBIOLA.
Develop your Skills in Classes & Workshops
- Attend SCORR Conference - and learn from past sessions in our video archive.
- Incoming students, consider applying to the LEAD Scholars Program to be equipped for leadership in diverse contexts by developing your intercultural competence in a learning community.
Talk about Your Concerns
- Connect with SEID or GSE staff to talk through your experiences.
- Reach out to a staff person on the Student Success Team.
- See someone on the Pastoral Care team for conversation and prayer.
Additional Resources from Biola
Cultural Identity and Faith Formation
Hear from Jennifer Guerra Aldana on how cultural identity influences faith formation.
Unity in Diversity
Adam Edgerly, pastor of NewSong LA, cultural consultant, and Biola board member, explains the importance of diverse perspectives in the Christian life.
Acts as a Case-Study for the Multicultural Church
Terry McGonigal, Dean of Spiritual Life at Whitworth University, looks at the book of Acts as a case study of unity in a multicultural church, explaining how Acts demonstrates a church that is first and foremost Christ-centered.
Hear Global Student Stories
Hear global student stories shared at a Biola chapel service. View more stories here.
Global Faces of Biola
Follow the many stories of global Biola on Instagram.
One Blood
Hear from Author and Civil Rights Activist John Perkins.
No Fear, Know Love
Kathryn Ecklund speaks at The Biola Hour on how college students can have hard conversations about the value of diversity.
A Conversation on Racial Reconciliation
Hear a panel of Biola favorites speak on the subject of racial reconciliation at this AfterDark chapel.
Explore blogs on Cultural Humility
Read more helpful articles on cultural humility on the Student Life blog.