Mission, Vision, & Statements of Purpose and Faith

Our Mission

The mission of Hardin-Simmons University is to be a community dedicated to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.

Our Vision

Hardin-Simmons University will be an innovative community of servant scholars engaging the minds and nurturing the spirits of future Christian leaders.

Statement of Purpose

Hardin-Simmons University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas:

  1. Fosters the intellectual development of students by providing an academically challenging undergraduate education based upon a liberal arts foundation and advances scholarly growth by offering specialized graduate and professional degree programs.
  2. Academic excellence continues as a priority at Hardin-Simmons University as it has for more than a century. The core curriculum involves students in a broad range of inquiry relating general studies with requirements of the chosen major. Graduate programs broaden the scope of learning in scientific and professional disciplines and encourage students to regard learning as a lifelong process. Small classes taught by experienced scholars give the opportunity for interactive learning. The institution’s commitment to excellence is best illustrated through the lives of graduates who traditionally have excelled in a wide variety of fields.
  3. Affirms the relevance and importance of the Christian faith for life in the contemporary world by maintaining a clear identification with and loyalty to the Christian faith and functioning within the context of historic Baptist values and principles.
  4. Founded in 1891 by a determined group of ministers, ranchers, and merchants, Hardin- Simmons University established dual goals of developing the mind and nurturing the spiritual life of its students. That commitment to encourage growth in faith and knowledge has remained central. Believing academic excellence and Christian faith to be complementary, the university emphasizes the need for interaction between faith and reason.
  5. Encourages individuals to lead lives of service through active involvement in intellectual, cultural, and religious life, both on the campus and in the larger communities of Abilene and the world.

Although Western in tradition, the university takes pride in the cosmopolitan nature of its students, faculty, and staff, and encourages the development of an international perspective. Through its leadership in providing intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and social opportunities, the university serves as catalyst for the advancement and enrichment of its students and the community. (Approved, Board of Trustees, September 16, 1992)

Statement of Faith

Adopted by the HSU Board of Trustees on November 3, 2022

After much prayer and careful deliberation, this Statement of Faith humbly and thoughtfully memorializes the sincere historically held religious beliefs of Hardin-Simmons University. The institution remains committed to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.

We desire to love everyone as God loves us. Hardin-Simmons will continue to welcome students from diverse backgrounds and experiences and encourage them to pursue excellence in education and grow in the knowledge and practice of God’s Word expressed in the Holy Bible.

This Statement of Faith directs all facets of the governance, administration, management, operation, and employment practices of the university. While we want students to become knowledgeable of world views and perspectives on faith and life, the education and discipleship provided to students by the university must advance our Vision and Mission and not conflict with this Statement of Faith.

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh, fully God and fully human, who died for us and was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. Christ’s return will complete God’s redemptive mission. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity.

Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 8:58, John 10:11, John 14:6, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:1-2, 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:16

God

We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is all powerful, all present, and all knowing. God will rule forever. God is love.

Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Joshua 1:9, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 139:1-12, Psalm 146:10, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 44:6, Jeremiah 10:10, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:33, John 6:57, John 10:30, Romans 8:14-15, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 4:6, James 2:19, 1 John 3:20, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Helper, God’s presence with us, who teaches us and leads us to grow in faith. We receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.

John 14:15-17, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-15, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:31, Acts 5:32, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:26, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 John 4:2

Scripture

We believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired authority for life and faith. The Bible is God’s word and accomplishes His purpose, does not return empty, and will stand forever.

Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 55:10-11, John 6:63, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Revelation 22:18-19

Humanity

We believe that humans were created in the image of God. Humankind disobeyed God and fell from a sinless state when tempted by Satan. Because all humans are sinful, they are separated from God and stand in need of rescue and redemption. Because of His great love, God provided a way for humanity to be put right with him. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide for rescue and redemption from sin.

Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3:1-24, Genesis 9:6, Exodus 32:33, Isaiah 53:5-9, Isaiah 59:2, Micah 3:4, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:1-21, 1 Corinthians 15:17-22, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 1:13-16

Salvation

We believe that Salvation is a gift that comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

John 1:12-13, John 3:16-18, John 3:36, John 5:24, Acts 4:8-12, Romans 1:16, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:9

The Church

We believe that the church was instituted by Jesus and that he is the head of the church. The church is the gathered community of believers built together for God by the Spirit and serving as the body of Christ in the world. The church is called to be Christ’s ambassadors and given the ministry of reconciliation.

Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:46-47, Acts 20:28, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 4:14-16, Philippians 2:1-11, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 2:4-10

Sexuality

We believe that God created the human race with two genetic sexes, male and female.

Genesis 1:27, Genesis 5:2, Mark 10:6

Marriage

We believe that marriage has been established by God to be a life-long, covenant relationship between one genetic male and one genetic female. We also believe that sexual activity is intended by God to be expressed solely in the context of a loving marriage between one genetic male and one genetic female.

Genesis 2:24, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:4-8, Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Hebrews 13:4

Kindness and Respect

We believe that every person has been fearfully and wonderfully made by God and should be afforded love, kindness, compassion and dignity.

Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-18, Matthew 7:9-12, Matthew 9:36-38, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 25:34-36, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 10:25-37, John 13:34-35, John 15:9-17, Romans 12:9-21, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Galatians 3:26-29, Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 4:31-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 4:9-11, 1 John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:19-21

*Fearfully when translated from the Hebrew means with great reverence, heart-felt interest, with respect. (Psalm 139:14)

Why did the Board of Trustees write a statement of faith?
The members of the Board of Trustees are stewards of the vision and mission of the university, responsible for governing by setting policy and providing direction to the President to follow in leading the organization.  We believe that a clearly defined statement of faith provides an essential point of reference for the fulfillment of these responsibilities.

Why have a statement of faith?
Hardin-Simmons University’s Statement of Faith clearly states the Christian beliefs that undergird and inform the university’s vision and mission, and highlights the principles that define what we envision in providing “excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.”

The Statement of Faith provides guidance to the university’s administrative leaders as they make decisions that impact every aspect of the institution. It also offers inspiration and a foundational point of reference to our faculty as they educate students and develop the next generation of leaders, as well as to our staff who provide the platforms that facilitate learning.

Why publish the Statement of Faith now?
As the nation’s cultural context changes in ways that with increasing frequency conflict with historic Christian teaching, we believe it is important that we expressly proclaim our beliefs earnestly and transparently as a university committed to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values, as has been our purpose from inception of the university.