The College Seal: “Light and Life”

“Light and Life,” John 1:4, is a translation of the Greek motto on the College seal. The horizontal line (zoe) means life, the vertical line (phos) means light. The light comes from above, and through us is spread to other persons throughout the world. The seal was designed in 1920 by W. E. Brubaker. The year 1887, which appears on the seal, is the date of the founding of the College. The seal is reserved for use on official McPherson College documents and publications. It is stamped in raised letters on diplomas and transcripts, and is stamped in gold on Citations of Merit from McPherson College.

Our Mission

McPherson College is a vibrant community of persons from diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds committed to its mission:

To develop whole persons through scholarship, participation and service.

Chartered in 1887 by leaders of the Church of the Brethren, McPherson College has a 130-year history of providing excellent liberal arts and career-oriented education shaped by the essential values of its founding denomination. The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination founded in Germany in 1708. It accepts the New Testament as the rule of faith and emphasizes the inherent value of all persons, the communal discernment of truth, the necessity of putting faith into action, and the biblical calls to simplicity, non-violence, non-conformity and transformation through education. Brethren strive to “continue the work of Jesus – peacefully…simply…together.”

Service Opportunities

As part of our mission, students are encouraged to participate in acts of service. All service opportunities will be posted in the MC Events app, online at https://mcpherson.presence.io/ and in weekly MC Happenings emails. 

Gamma Beta Phi is MC's largest service organization. The Gamma Beta Phi Society is a national honors and service society. Our watchwords are service, scholarship, and character, and we aim to broaden our members' academic and philanthropic lives so that they may graduate ready to make a difference in the world. The MC chapter focuses on the needs of the campus and McPherson community, while also participating in the National Service Project. Because it is an honors society, there are recruitment events in the fall and spring semester for membership. 

Spirituality Participation Opportunities

All spirituality opportunities will be posted in the MC Events app, online at https://mcpherson.presence.io/ and in weekly MC Happenings emails. 

The Charles D. Johnson Missions fund was established to help McPherson College students to participate in activities that strengthen the Christian spiritual growth of those participating and the people they serve. Up to $10,000 are available to McPherson College students who meet the following criteria:

• Students involved in activities that strengthen the Christian spiritual growth of those participating and the people they serve.
• It is preferred that these activities be done in connection with church-affiliated organizations in the United States or foreign mission field. Examples of possible activities include: Bible studies, worship services, Vacation Bible School, prayer walks, and sports outreach programs. 
• No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a veteran or disability.
• Students must be in good standing with the College to participate.

The Vice President for Student Affairs will administer the funds and make awards in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement. Applications are due in February but may be made at other times during the year. More information and the application are available at https://mcstudentlife.formstack.com/forms/charles_d_johnson_missions_fund_application. Please contact Shana Meyer, Vice President for Student Affairs at meyers@mcpherson.edu, with any questions.

Reasonable Faith is a group on campus dedicated to showing how God and science go together rather than against. FCA's mission is to give MAC students a space to learn more about Jesus and His church. Our vision is to spread knowledge of how to grow in our individual walks with Christ while showing the love of Christ to those around us. Information about both clubs can be found on the MC Events app, online at https://mcpherson.presence.io/ and in weekly MC Happenings emails.