Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Power to Change is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

As followers of Jesus, we recognize that all people are created in the image of God and we affirm Christ’s call to love others as we love ourselves.1 Thus we commit to treating others with love, respect, and regard for their value and dignity as persons.2 

We renounce all forms of hate, malice, and harassment.3 We believe in the importance of cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and participants, regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities, religious background, and any other aspect of their identity. We strive to ensure that all students feel welcomed, respected, and included in our spaces and activities.4 

We believe that each student brings unique gifts and perspectives to our community. We are committed to creating an environment where all students are able to be their authentic selves, while pursuing a deepening understanding of who God created them to be.5

Alongside our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we invite all our volunteer leaders to grow towards being like Jesus in other aspects of their lives.6 We have a Code of Conduct for volunteer leaders that serves as a guide for discipleship conversations, and is not intended to be a standard of inclusion and exclusion in our community. We want to be transparent that this Code of Conduct limits sexual expressions of intimacy for marriage, a sacred covenant between one man and one woman.7

Power to Change – Students is seeking to grow towards greater equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is a journey, because there are inevitably gaps between understanding these things as concepts and living them out.

To describe some moments on our journey, here are examples of how we’re investing in growth so far. Our work is far from complete, but we are committed to it. 

  • Formalized Land Acknowledgements as a practice at national P2C-S events (2021) and added a Land Acknowledgement to our website (2022).
  • Trained a majority of staff on an understanding of race, ethnicity, and power through “Lenses Reframed” (2020–2021).
  • Created a Diversity and Student Experience Working Group, who hired an external consultant, The Center for Civic and Religious Literacy, to provide an audit of practices through focus groups and a report of recommendations (2021-2022).
  • Offered Grace/Truth 1.0 and 2.0 to staff across Canada as a development and discussion opportunity (2021–2023).
  • Provided funds for all staff to read books about racial reconciliation (2021).
  • Offered the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to all staff leaders, including individual debriefs with registered IDI consultants (2022).
  • Encouraged staff leaders to invest 50 hours to work on their Intercultural Development Proficiency plan from their IDI (2022–2023).

On our journey, we welcome your feedback and accountability. 

And we welcome you to walk with us. Whoever you are, come connect! 

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  1. Genesis 1:27, Matthew 22:39
  2. 1 Peter 2:17
  3. 1 John 2:9
  4. James 2:1-4, Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28
  5. Psalm 139:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10
  6. Ephesians 5:1-2
  7. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:31-32

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