The diversity mural “Thy Kingdom Come” in the Haven was dedicated this afternoon on Friday, April 4th at 12:30 p.m. by Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE) director Brian “B” Martin.
This dedication was more than a long list of thanks; Martin wanted the staff, faculty and students that attended to understand the significance of having a diversity mural on campus, and led the group in an ‘affirmation’.
“It reminds me of how thankful I’m to be a part of this community,” said Martin, “That really supports what we’re trying to do is trying to be all who God wants us to be.”
Martin began the dedication in prayer, and then thanked the student government association (SGA) president Korey Rees and Levi Taylor (alumni ‘24) as the two students that brought an idea of creating a diversity mural on campus as a message of community and inclusion on a predominantly white campus.
President Pistole was in attendance, and he and his cabinet were thanked for their part in the mural, as well as the organizations that funded “Thy Kingdom Come” including the CIE, PACT, SGA, and MOSAIC.
Martin spoke of the artist collaboration between Ashley Nora (‘12) and Jeffrey Jackson (‘12) for the mural’s design and Holly Sims (‘09), who helped coordinate student collaboration in painting the mural on Monday, March 24.
At the heart of the mural, the concept was based off of Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Martin closed the ceremony with a prayer. Instead of a plaque, a QR code is on the right side of the mural, leading to an article describing the story of “Thy Kingdom Come”.
Martin’s affirmation and promise to AU was as written below:
“We reaffirm our commitment to see God, his wisdom and love, his guidance and power, and to do our part individually and collectively to follow his example of Jesus by being a welcoming, accepting, loving campus community that celebrates people from all races, ethnicities, and nationalities.”