Dallas Baptist University's Core Values
Christ-Centered
"All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."
- John 1:3-4 ESV
Christ-centered faith is the organizing principle for all aspects of the DBU experience. In Jesus Christ, all wisdom and knowledge are found, making Him the cornerstone of our intellectual pursuits and the center of human history, thought, and culture. To this end, we strive to place Christ at the center of the life of the University. Through education, Jesus is our model teacher, laying the foundation for the exploration of various disciplines within the classroom and beyond. Through student life and development, Jesus is our model guide, providing the meaning of community and an example of how to live. Through our administration, Jesus is our model shepherd, exemplifying how to care for each other while also focusing on the mission of the organization. Through community service, Jesus is our model servant, demonstrating how to love others by serving them and meeting their physical and spiritual needs.
As frail human beings, we may often fail to uphold this standard; nonetheless, Jesus remains the central focus of every class, course, activity, policy, outreach, campaign, project, and aspect of DBU. In placing Christ at the center, we recognize Him as the embodiment of all truth and wisdom.
Servant Leadership
"It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- Matthew 20:26-28 ESV
Servant leadership at DBU is rooted in the cultural mandate given in Genesis, which calls humanity to cultivate creation and restore it to God's intended order. This stewardship requires humility, creativity, and a commitment to glorifying God through service to others. The world is in desperate need of those who seek to serve rather than be served. In Jesus Christ, we have the perfect embodiment of servant leadership—one who humbled Himself and gave His life for others. This concept of servant leadership is at the core of the mission of DBU: to develop servant leaders who integrate faith and learning through their respective callings. This leadership is rooted in character, as modeled by Christ, and is expressed in humility, sacrifice, and a desire to see others thrive.
The DBU family lives out this calling through acts of love, kindness, and a commitment to expanding the Kingdom rather than personal agendas. Servant leadership at DBU is guided by the Genesis cultural mandate, which calls for responsible stewardship of creation and the restoration of shalom through redemptive leadership.
Faith Integration
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
- Colossians 1:15-17 ESV
DBU seeks to be a community where faith is integrated throughout all aspects of learning and University life. This integration is not a forced addition of Christian truth but an acknowledgment that all aspects of creation—whether in the sciences, humanities, fine arts, or professional studies—are sustained by and find their meaning in Jesus Christ. Faith integration represents a "critical-appreciative dialogue" informed by Christian faith, where the theological and philosophical foundations of biblical truth serve as the framework for studying all disciplines.
As we pursue knowledge, we strive to ensure that every level of research, discussion, and interaction reflects a thoughtful commitment to the Christian faith. Faculty and staff model this integration by grounding their work in the foundational truths of Scripture, fostering in students a love for learning rooted in the pursuit of God's truth.
Community
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Through the work of Christ, those who call Jesus Lord are united into one global Body of Christ, most clearly seen in the local Church. DBU exists as an arm of the Church, providing transformative education to strengthen relationships with Christ and foster a Christ-centered community. The DBU family—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—demonstrates this community by embodying prayer, care, accountability, compassion, and humility.
This community reflects faith in action, striving to support others in discovering their God-given purpose, even as we acknowledge our human shortcomings.
Transformative Education
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
- Romans 12:1-2 ESV
DBU embraces a holistic education that transforms the whole person, equipping students to think critically and biblically about their callings. This education reflects our commitment to Knowledge and the formation of Character, as students engage in rigorous academics and spiritual formation.
Transformative education at DBU aims to cultivate a distinctly Christian mind, preparing students not only for their personal and professional callings but also for a lifetime of service and leadership that reflects the Kingdom of God. This process includes discipleship programs, chapel services, and Christ-centered community gatherings, fostering a supportive environment for growth.
Excellence
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
- Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
True excellence reflects Godly character and humility, striving for the best in service to God and others through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Excellence is not perfection—reserved for Christ alone—but a Spirit-empowered striving to do our best in service to God and others. This is seen in every aspect of the University, from academic programming to campus upkeep, always aiming to provide the best example of Christ's love.
Globally Minded
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
- Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
What starts on University Hill should never stay on University Hill. As an agency of the church, DBU seeks to prepare graduates who will act as ambassadors of Christ, contributing to the transformation of culture and society on a global scale. DBU aims to produce servant leaders who embody the Great Commission and engage the world as responsible global citizens. This value highlights faith in action through mission trips, study-abroad programs, and welcoming international students, fostering a vision of global unity and transformation for the glory of God.
Through these experiences, DBU becomes a city on a hill, shining its light far beyond Dallas to the ends of the earth, all for God's glory.
