Our Faith Identity
Goshen College is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, a historic peace church.
Making peace since the 16th century
For hundreds of years, Mennonites have believed in nonviolent peacemaking, simplicity, community and service to others throughout the world. From worldwide relations to our interpersonal relationships, we work for peace, justice and reconciliation at every level.
Some confuse Mennonites with our historical brethren, the Amish, but you won’t see any buggies or bonnets on our campus. Goshen Mennonites look and learn like students at most colleges (in other words, you’ll fit right in).
Our Christian community embraces diversity. Our faith calls us to learn about others and even to love our enemies, regardless of national borders or ideological differences. Only through acceptance and understanding can we truly begin to make peace.
Peaceful programs
In an effort to live out our mission, you’ll find Goshen students studying and serving abroad, working in youth ministry and teaching English to immigrants. Annually the campus lives out its motto of “Culture for Service” by taking a day off of class to serve in the community. Many areas of study also support our passion and purpose:
- Peace, justice and conflict studies
- Bible, religion and philosophy
- Environmental science
- American Sign Language interpreting
- Anabaptist-Mennonite studies
- Music in worship
- Sustainability
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
What it means to be Mennonite
At Goshen, we surround ourselves with those who believe in discipleship – a life consistent with Christ’s teachings and call. That sense of a caring community extends to our residence halls, classrooms, weekly chapels and convocations, as well as the friendships we form among students and faculty.