Rooted in Scripture, Shaped by Mission, Established in Love
At GETS, we celebrate and pursue diversity because we believe it reflects the very heart of God. From the first page of Scripture, we learn that all people are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), endowed with dignity, worth, and a unique calling. We are a community composed of many stories — stories from different ethnicities, languages, genders, and backgrounds — yet united by the Lord who made us and called us to Himself.
Our Theological Foundation
The Bible reveals a God who delights in rich diversity within unity. At Pentecost (Acts 2), people from all over the world — “every nation under Heaven”— heard the wonderful works of God in their own languages. The Apostle Paul underscores this when he proclaims in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Scripture teaches us that the body of Christ comprises many members — each different, yet indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
This biblical view profoundly shapes how we view education, service, and mission at GETS. We appreciate the unique roles, perspectives, and traditions each person brings and see this rich diversity as a reflection of God’s creativity and a testimony to His ability to unite people from all backgrounds into a single family of faith.
Our Mission in Light of Diversity
GETS was established to serve the global Chinese church, a rich and sprawling community with a unique culture, history, and linguistic context. Nevertheless, we do not view this mission as a form of ethnic exclusivity; instead, we see it as a special calling to equip and empower Chinese Christians to serve their communities and the world. Furthermore, we warmly welcome non-Chinese Christians who feel called to minister in Chinese contexts, believing their perspectives and service will broaden and deepen the church’s mission.
Our professors come from a rich array of traditions and geographic backgrounds — from Taiwan Singapore, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, North America, and more — reflecting the global nature of the gospel and the universality of the Christian mission. Our students pursue their studies alongside peers from different cultures and perspectives, forming friendships and partnerships that will serve them in future service.
Our Philosophy of Ministry and Service
For GETS, honoring diversity is not a policy; it is a theological conviction — a reflection of God’s character and His Kingdom. We pursue this conviction in all dimensions of our community — from governance and leadership to pedagogy and curriculum — trusting that a rich diversity of perspectives will produce a more robust, adaptable, and compassionate ministry.
We do this while honoring biblical perspectives on marriage, human sexuality, and lifestyle, affirming marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman and upholding biblical moral teaching. We pursue unity in essentials and freedom in non-essentials, honoring conscience, dialogue, and understanding in a context of Christian love and forbearance.
Our Commitment
GETS is committed to creating a community where all are valued, all have a voice, and all can grow to become who God calls them to be. We will foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and loving service — reflecting the unity and diversity of the body of Christ.
As we pursue this mission, we do so with the understanding that we serve a Lord who is making all things new (Revelation 21:5), knitting together people from all nations into His eternal Kingdom. Our diversity today is a foretaste of the rich, multiform congregation we will celebrate in eternity — when a great multitude from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” will gather to worship the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).