Our Vision

The vision of the Northern Illinois University Wesley Foundation is to build a community where college students discover their identity in Christ, develop as Christian leaders, and transform the world.

What’s important to us?

Authentic Community
The Gospel breaks through the barriers that separate us – racial, social, cultural, economic, and denominational – and expresses the intrinsic worth of each and every person. We welcome people from all walks of life, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. We believe that small groups create the best environment for belonging, caring, and spiritual growth as individuals experience life together. As an alternative community, we are called to transform a culture of death, poverty, and isolation by living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25, Hebrews 12:1-3)  Are you in a small group?

Intimacy with God
God desires an intimate relationship with each of us. As Christians, we experience this intimacy through spiritual practices such as prayer, studying the Bible, fasting, worship, and Christian service. These practices allow us to experience and know God.  (Revelation 21:17-20)  Is your relationship with God growing?

The Bible
God has spoken to us through the Bible and we recognize it as the final authority for our lives.  (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Are your priorities consistent with Scripture?

Prayer
Any movement of God begins with prayer. Our goal is to be a house of prayer before all else. We desire to know God’s heart, to align ourselves with His purposes, and to encounter God’s healing presence for ourselves and others.  "For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."  (Isaiah 56:7)  "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7: 14)  Are you seeking God’s heart for yourself and others through prayer?

Relational Evangelism
God's message of forgiveness through Christ is most effectively lived out within the context of our individual relationships.  (2 Corinthians 5:20)  With whom are you sharing your faith?

Discipleship
God equips each Christian with spiritual gifts to fulfill the ministries of the church. Together in community, our spiritual gifts have maximum impact when exercised in support of our common mission. We are responsible to pass along to others the faith, knowledge, skills, and opportunities that have been entrusted to us. We are committed to raising up a new generation of Christian leaders.  (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-13, Romans 12, I Corinthians 12)  Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling?

Justice
We believe that it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to live out the justice of our God: to practice hospitality, to take care of the widow and the orphan, to provide for the poor and afflicted, to protect the powerless, and to serve “the least of these”.
Isaiah 61, Micah 6:8, Matthew 25 , James)  Where are you serving?