Inside Asbury’s campus, one of the biggest foundations is the intercultural life programs. Making up 20% of the student body and representing 40 plus countries, the work that the program is doing to teach others awareness and understanding is a huge part of Asbury’s culture.
The program is led by two pivotal people on Asbury’s campus, Rev. Juan Gonzalez, the Coordinator of Intercultural Life, and Rev. Dr. Esther Jadhav, the Dean of Intercultural Life.
Jadhav is especially passionate about teaching all students on campus about the importance of interacting with other cultures. Jadhav said, “In the United States, there are a lot of people who do not know their cultural heritage and a lot of people who do not have the chance to interact with other countries whether that be due to fiscal reasons or due to lack of time.”
She explains that because of this, Asbury has many great opportunities for students to appreciate other cultures. One such is the Great Commission Congress. While not a part of intercultural life, the congress focuses on the importance of missions in our community and throughout the world. The week-long event has been going on since 1908.
In addition, intercultural life hosts a variety of different events. One of these is the Embrace Conference. Happening October 20-22, the annual conference emphasizes one of the four pillars that makes up intercultural life. This year’s theme is biblical hospitality. Another important event is the Festival of Nations in the spring semester. Students are invited to visit cultural booths, see musical performances, sample new foods and celebrate the diversity of Asbury’s community.
When asked about working in intercultural life where perceptions are different from student to student, Jadhav said, “If you are looking for a formula, there isn’t one. We are serving the needs of every student as they arise.” This is one of many goals that intercultural life prioritizes.
Two such goals that impact the Intercultural Life office are the concepts of God’s image and biblical hospitality. God’s image, or the imago dei, is integral to the Christian faith, but defining it is a bit harder. Jadhav said, “I talked with 60 different students and they all had a different perspective on what it means, whether that we be a person of God or an innate ability of God within someone.” Seeing each person as a unique individual connects to cultural empathy and respect in many ways. The other, biblical hospitality, deals with the idea of bringing in people from different backgrounds and mindsets and still treating them like family.
Jadhav referenced Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Jadhav said, “Being able to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God, go hand in hand and are bound one to another. It is almost impossible to walk humbly with your God and not act justly and love mercy,” about the verse. The hope for Intercultural Life is to continue their development of cultural appreciation throughout all of campus.
If someone has questions about intercultural life, they can contact either Rev. Dr. Esther Jadhav or Rev. Juan Gonzalez at their Asbury emails.
Photo courtesy of Asbury.
