Diversity at Moody 

In order to advance our mission of equipping people across the globe, cultures and generations with the truth of God's Word to impact the world for Christ, Moody is committed to promoting diversity within our organization and externally with our partners in ministry.

Our Diversity Vision Statement:

That God's people are loved and celebrated by all regardless of ethnic, race, gender, age, physical or socio-economic boundaries.

Our Diversity Mission Statement:

To pursue and empower diversity, by intentionally engaging in necessary dialogue and initiatives to create and sustain an inclusive and welcoming Moody community reflective of God's love and grace for all.

Below are ways in which Moody has worked to promote diversity within the organization and externally with our partners in ministry:

A Prayer for Chicago (and the Church)

Moody's Roy Patterson, says God needs to "shake us up" when it comes to peace and justice. He leads us in prayer for Chicago, and other communities around the nation, away from violence.

"United: A Symposium on Race & Ethnicity in the Church"

Moody Theological Seminary in Michigan hosted area pastors, MTS faculty and students in a discussion of diversity in the global church.

Watch Moody faculty and students and area ministry leaders in this panel discussion.

"Treasured Moments in Black History"

Produced by Moody Radio, this collection highlights key people and events in the history of African-Americans. These specials are narrated by Pastor James Ford and feature people and topics including Jackie Robinson, The Underground Railroad and Rosa Parks and The March on Washington.

Radio Moody

Radio Moody offers biblical programs and daily encouragement,  by sharing the hope of Jesus Christ to the Spanish-speaking community.

Leadership

Statement from Moody Leadership on racial discrimination:

Dear Moody Community,

I pray you had a blessed summer wherever you were. I just returned to the Chicago campus on Wednesday, after being out of the country to participate in the first graduation ceremony for Moody School of the Bible students in Ghana, West Africa. In the midst of welcoming our new and returning students on Chicago's campus and greeting their friends and family, I began to read about and reflect on what transpired in Charlottesville, Virginia. Deeply grieved and sickened at yet another display of bigotry and racism, I knew I could not remain silent and had to publicly condemn the actions and point all of us to the biblical truths that govern us as followers of Christ.

Any form of white supremacy, racism, or hatred spawned by skin color or ethnicity is directly in conflict with the teachings of the Bible and the Savior we love. Every person bears the image of God and is so loved by Christ that He willingly laid down His life for them. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming a hopeful message of reconciliation, not mouthpieces of a twisted worldview, proclaiming an evil and destructive message of racism. While others, captive to the blindness of sin, spout contrary opinions, we the Church need to stay on message and on mission with the love of Christ.

While I deeply desire that we could expunge any future outbreaks of bigotry in this country, I know—especially with the heightened emotions and sharp division evident today—such ugly events will likely recur. May we at Moody check our hearts. May we at Moody repent of any vestiges of racism buried in our words and actions. May we at Moody help guide others to the grace of the Savior—and away from the violence and hatred of an increasingly confused society. Pray with me to that end.

In Christ,
Paul Nyquist, former President of Moody Bible Institute

Media and Resources

Letters to a Birmingham Jail by Bryan Loritts [Book]
This collection of essays is written by men of various ethnicities and ages, yet all are committed to the centrality of the gospel, nudging us to pursue Christ exalting diversity.

United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity by Trillia J. Newbell [Book]
United champions the theology of diversity in the Scriptures and shares the author's unique experiences growing up in the south and attending a predominately white church.

Right Color, Wrong Culture: The Type of Leader Your Organization Needs to Become Multiethnic by Bryan Lorrits [Book]
In this fable, you join people struggling to remain relevant within communities growing in diversity. And you learn the central problem common to places with changing ethnic demographics: finding a leader willing to immerse themselves into the lives of those who are different from them.