One of the joys of being members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is its intentional diversity and multiculturalism. One hundred years before Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1964, and coined the phrase "building the beloved community," the Seventh-day Adventist Church faithfully pursued global peace building and reconciliation by fulfilling the Gospel Commission, "Go ye into all the world and bring all nations into the Body of Christ" (Matthew 28:18 NIV, adapted).

Paul's declaration in his letter to the Galatians, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28 NIV), contains the germ of universal inclusion that also motivated the work of Mahatma Gandhi, César Chávez, Albert Schweitzer and many Seventh-day Adventist pioneers. As followers of Christ, it is a joy to contribute our energies, time, resources and influences to advance the humanitarian missions of the Kingdom of Grace in the Spirit of Christ, with no distinctions based on race, class, national origin or temperament.

The observations of Ellen White provide additional understanding to the scope of this inclusive gospel. "The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No question of policy influenced His government. He made no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies" (The Ministry of Healing, p. 3).

As joyful recipients of this inclusive gospel, we continually place as a top priority "building the beloved community" through unselfish acts of service. Working together in our local congregations for all humankind, we take the "good news of peace to all." We are careful to add our financial resources to area food banks and other local organizations which faithfully "build the beloved community."

It is also a joy to have a part in the global mission of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA). ADRA, established in 1984, operates as an independent humanitarian agency for the specific purposes of individual and community development and disaster relief. With a presence in more than 125 countries, ADRA is one of the more efficient humanitarian relief agencies with more than 90 percent of every dollar going toward direct humanitarian assistance benefiting more than 26 million people through assistance valued at more than $145 million (2006).1

On January 21, when many other nations join us in celebrating King's legacy of justice, respect for human life, and the fellowship of all humankind, we count it a joy to be identified with a church that embraces Christ's description of His followers: "All the world will know that you are My disciples, because you love everyone" (John 13:35 NIV, adapted).

Cynthia and J.W. Warren co-founded Spring Hope Ministries to celebrate and promote the joys and benefits of the Adventist lifestyle. They have three adult children and reside in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

1. Source: Julio C. Muñoz, bureau chief (interim) for marketing and development, Adventist Development and Relief Agency International