By Staff
We asked colleges and seminaries associated with Christian churches and churches of Christ to provide updates on what”s happening at their institutions. Here”s what they had to say (these are listed alphabetically):
Alberta Bible College
The Rock is a new first-year program designed to ignite a new generation! While it provides students with classical foundational knowledge and practical ministry experiences, a new ingredient is various types of coaching designed to help students discern where “their deep gladness meets the world”s deep need” (Frederick Buechner). In other words, the goal is to help students discern who and where God might be calling them to be.
The program, planned over several years, has already impacted recruitment and retention at ABC. ABC is one of very few Bible colleges in Canada that saw an increase in students this year.
After an excellent process of role definition, the board announced Rob Pittman as the college”s new president. Pittman is a Canadian and a graduate of Alberta Bible College (BTh) and the University of Manchester (MBA). He has served well in both established congregations and new church plants. In addition, Pittman leaves behind a significant career in the financial services industry. He has a deep passion for developing leaders for the 21st-century church.
He will step into the role vacated by Dr. Ron Fraser, who has served as ABC president since 1984. Fraser will continue in a teaching and advisory role.
Atlanta Christian College
Atlanta Christian Collect recently ranked sixth on U.S. News & World Report”s list of the most racially diverse baccalaureate colleges in the South. Part of the diversity can be credited to Access, an adult and professional studies program. The Access program has allowed ACC to reach and enroll working adults who desire to study in a distinctively Christian environment and live out their dreams of vocational and bivocational ministry. A by-product of the diversity in the Access program has been an increase in diversity in the college”s traditional program, because many adult students encourage their college-aged children to consider ACC.
As Access has grown, so has the number of traditional first-time college students. ACC recently expanded its roster of academic majors””which now includes history, psychology, and child and youth development””providing students with unprecedented opportunities to pursue their academic dreams while learning in a Christian environment.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to emphasize “business as mission.” In late 2009, ACC opened the Center for Calling and Career, which offers online and on-campus career and ministry development resources for students and alumni. This step will help ensure all students understand the important biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers””associated with the founders of Atlanta Christian College and emphasized throughout its 72-year history””and also find practical help in choosing career paths that reflect that understanding.
Boise Bible College
Boise Bible College is continuing its strong emphasis on classroom experience mixed with practical application. The college has revised and fine-tuned its internship programs to assure each student the exposure to real ministry that enhances their education and prepares them for ministry. BBC continues to research and develop new methods to reach people on and off campus who desire to be equipped for ministry.
Central Christian College of the Bible
The newest feature of Central Christian College of the Bible is construction of the Walton Student Center northwest of the Reese Resource Center. The 6,500-square-foot center will offer students a variety of activities, including a Macintosh computer hub, ample lounge area, large media viewing room outfitted with the latest video technology, game area (including pool tables, air hockey, and foosball), a coffee and snack café, two study/meeting rooms, quiet prayer room, and a modern exercise workout room.
The center is being constructed debt-free through a Mabee Foundation Challenge Grant (the third for CCCB) and generous matching grant gifts from churches, individuals, and other foundations. A grand opening is planned this fall.
This year marks CCCB”s 10th anniversary of offering full-tuition scholarships to all students. “We are proud of setting the standard among several other Christian colleges which have followed our example,” said Phil Marley, vice president of institutional advancement.
Central has become known for the breadth and depth of biblical teaching required for bachelor degree students. The historic legacy of holding and promoting a biblically conservative, Restoration Movement theological position continues to define the college. It is evident through the requirement of 54 hours of Bible and theology for a bachelor”s degree. CCCB students learn from well-known teachers such as Gareth Reese, Lloyd Pelfrey, and Daniel Schantz. The college is also blessed with many other highly qualified professors who encourage their students to embody Christian character as they learn.
Christian Kingdom College
Christian Kingdom College is excited to add evangelist Dick Chambers as one of its newest professors. He has a wealth of knowledge from decades of serving Christ in the ministry of the Word. He has been teaching discipleship during his first year.
The college also dedicated new fully equipped classroom space in the past year, and is planning to expand its distance-learning program across its four campus sites (including shared space with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia). Another blessing this past year was the CKC House, which can accommodate students at very low housing fees. This continues to allow Christian Kingdom College to offer a top-notch Christian ministry education without her students going into debt.
Cincinnati Christian University
International students from more than a dozen nations attend Cincinnati Christian University each year. CCU”s student body includes dynamic Christian leaders from Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. One is from Jordan and his wife is from Iraq; they plan to return to the Middle East after graduation to plant churches. A husband and wife from Ghana are training to be Christian counselors. A young man reared in a Muslim home in Kosova is preparing to serve Christ in his homeland. It”s estimated that if current trends continue, more than 1 million international students will be studying at American universities by 2014. CCU is excited to be equipping future leaders with the biblical knowledge and practical skills they will need to serve effectively in the lands of their birth.
Other encouraging developments at CCU in recent months include:
“¢ The opening this spring of CCU”s new College of Adult Learning extension site on the Jeffersonville campus of Southeast Christian Church (near Louisville, Kentucky).
“¢ Continued growth of our extension site for the Seminary and College of Adult Learning at Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis.
“¢ The accreditation of our Early Childhood Education program by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.
“¢ Hosting the “Student Leadership Revolution” youth ministry summit on our campus on March 25″”a one-day training event to equip and encourage youth leaders (both teens and adults).
CCU has surpassed the $4 million mark in its Beyond the Walls campaign and launched phase two of its 10-year campus plan with the goal of renovating its women”s residence, Rine Hall, as soon as funds are available.
Colegio Biblico
Colegio Biblico”s Eagle Pass, Texas, campus has students from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States learning ministry skills so they can return to their home countries and preach the gospel to their own people in their own language and culture. The married student housing project at Colegio Biblico”s Mexico campus continues to advance at a steady pace. With help from work teams from across the U.S., the first of five duplex apartments has been completed, a second is near completion, and work has started on two others.
Crossroads College
Among the recent additions to Crossroads College”s team are Bradley Stoldt, who joined the administrative staff in 2009 as vice president of development, and Karissa Stubstad, who joined the admissions staff to help reach and recruit prospective students in the Rochester, Minnesota, region. The college recently signed an agreement with Mayo Clinic to provide summer housing for student nurses. In preparation, extensive remodeling is under way to student housing facilities.
The faculty revised the curriculum to streamline the number of majors and to highlight the college”s philosophy of “ministry in the church” and “ministry in the world.” The results are newly designed majors in Music; Family, Youth & Community; a Sport Management concentration under Business Administration; and a Business minor.
Dallas Christian College
Dallas Christian College now offers a bachelor”s degree in business that can be completed entirely online, so students don”t have to put their lives on hold to pursue higher education. The Management and Ethics program provides students with a flexible schedule so they can complete the courses on their own time. Whenever and wherever that may be!
All of DCC”s online students receive personalized attention with smaller classes taught by qualified and caring faculty who bring outstanding academic credentials and real-life experience to the virtual classroom. Plus, all courses are taught with a focus on biblically based ethics.
Emmanuel School of Religion
On June 1, 2009, Dr. Michael L. Sweeney became the fifth president of Emmanuel School of Religion upon the retirement of C. Robert Wetzel. Sweeney brings a passion for global evangelism and cross-cultural ministry. He served as a translator and administrator with Pioneer Bible Translators from 1991 to 2006, before joining Emmanuel as a professor of World Mission and New Testament.
Emmanuel welcomed an incoming class of 52 students in the fall. This large and very promising class included two international students, increasing the international student body to 12. Emmanuel continues to make a significant global impact through educating and training men and women for ministry prior to their return to their home countries.
The Emmanuel Institutes offers innovative programming both locally and through multimedia distribution. Key EI workshops have included: Leading Effective Missions Committees, Using Focus Groups to Increase Church Effectiveness, Tax Tune-Up for Ministers, and Understanding and Reaching a Postmodern Culture. A research and development aspect undergirds all the work of the institutes, including annual structured projects.
In the regular seminary curriculum, two online courses were offered: Elementary Hebrew and Old Testament Theology. Funding has been sought to increase online offerings in the near future.
Florida Christian College
At Florida Christian College, a 10-member team of faculty, staff, and a student leader led by Dr. Ruth Reyes, professor of music, developed a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for the college called On Point. The QEP is a core requirement for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accrediting agency. The On Point project will engage students in multiple oral and written presentation experiences throughout their college careers. The goal of On Point is to develop a culture of public presentation proficiency among students through instruction and assessments that culminates in a senior-year capstone presentation experience.
The current senior music recital format, required of music students, served as a springboard for the different senior capstone events. The college recognizes that public speaking proficiency is an expectation of our constituents, yet may be the greatest fear among students. On Point supports the college”s mission to educate men and women for Christian service. This project will commence this fall.
Great Lakes Christian College
One of Great Lakes Christian College”s main objectives is to support the church, and events like Fusion, which is geared toward high school students, helps make it happen. Fusion is a weekend conference designed to establish and grow relationships in and between youth groups. Distinguished GLCC alumnus Shannon Caroland was the main speaker. His message highlighted the necessity to live out one”s beliefs and be Christ to those around you. The Aaron Pelsue Band led praise and worship. God truly blessed the event that attracted students from all over Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
GLCC recently held its annual Java Jam on campus. For the event, the Student Life Organization showcases some of the fantastic talent on campus in a coffeehouse styling. Students, friends, churches, and alums come together and enjoy good coffee and amazing music. Staff, faculty, students, and guests are all welcome to come on stage and contribute to the night”s set. It is a lighthearted and relaxing evening.
GLCC”s facilities are not just used for student talent, but also by big names like Matthew West, who performed to a capacity crowd of people from across central Michigan at the Doty Center, GLCC”s student event arena. Many more events are being planned. GLCC puts a great emphasis on reaching out and playing a role in the community to broadcast God”s love.
Hope International University
In keeping with its mission of preparing servant leaders, Hope International University requires all traditional undergraduate students to complete a core curriculum in leadership and ethics. To complement that classroom experience, three programs have been established to provide additional opportunities for leadership development.
The Center for Public Leadership brings prominent community leaders to campus for guest lectures, followed by informal interaction and conversation with students over lunch. These individuals share personal experiences of how their roles as leaders provide opportunities to impact the world for Christ. They describe their career paths and answer questions about what it”s like to work as Christians in areas of business, education, politics, and other fields.
Dare to Lead is a conference designed for high school students who demonstrate an interest in becoming leaders. Hope undergraduate students assume responsibility for leading many of the sessions using Scripture, gifts inventories, and leadership activities that challenge high school students to fulfill their potential. The weekend event is held at a Palm Springs area resort hotel and is limited to no more than 100 participants.
The School of Advanced Leadership Training was established to respond to the needs of growing churches with emerging leaders from within their congregations. These individuals have special gifts of service but are looking for opportunities to further develop their ministry skills. These five-week online courses focus on subjects pertinent to successful ministry. Each course can be customized to the respective church”s setting and is available for audit, undergraduate, or graduate credit at a nominal cost.
Johnson Bible College
On August 25, 2009, the Russell Preaching Center was dedicated and officially opened. Named for Bob Russell, retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky, the preaching center honors his example and encouragement of strong biblical preaching.
The $2 million, 12,000-square-foot facility at the center of the campus houses JBC”s preaching and distance learning programs. It provides 21st-century technology and an ideal environment for educating preachers. More than 50 percent of JBC”s male students are enrolled in a preaching program, so this facility has had an immediate impact. More information is available at www.jbc.edu/rpc.
A new program in management of nonprofit organizations was launched to equip those desiring to serve through the growing number of parachurch organizations. JBC”s intercultural studies (missions) program was elevated to a double major in Bible and intercultural studies and expanded to include specializations in applied linguistics, urban studies, Islamic studies, and Chinese studies. A postbaccalaureate master”s degree in education (K-6) has been added for those desiring to transition into teaching from another field.
The sister-school relationship JBC has enjoyed for several years with No. 47 School in Zhengzhou, China, is adding a new dimension. Plans are under way for Johnson to offer an MA in educational technology through No. 47 School.
In September, JBC hosted a conference in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell”s Declaration and Address. More than 60 people attended from all three streams of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Four scholars were recognized for their lifetime contributions to promoting the heritage of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Robert Hooper (Lipscomb University), Richard Phillips (Milligan College), Henry Webb (Milligan College), and Earl West (Harding University Graduate School of Religion).
Kentucky Christian University
KCU has successfully completed a presidential change, with Dr. Jeffrey K. Metcalf succeeding Dr. Keith P. Keeran, who served as president for 22 years. Metcalf becomes only the fifth president in the 90-year history of KCU. Metcalf said, “I look forward to picking up where Dr. Keeran left off and working to build KCU into a premier Christian university””a university that is intellectually robust, yet unashamed of its conservative theology or mission to build Christ”s kingdom.”
Last May”s graduates of KCU”s Yancey School of Nursing achieved a collective 93 percent first-time passage rate on their NCLEX licensing examination (100 percent of YSN graduates have passed their NCLEX licensing exam, with a small number requiring two attempts). The Yancey School of Nursing”s accreditation was reaffirmed after an on-site review by the Council on Collegiate Nursing Education.
One of Metcalf”s first initiatives was development of a Student Ambassador program, designed to engage churches with teams of exemplary ministry leaders from within the student body. Five separate ambassador teams are available for church services, youth meetings, camps, youth rallies, etc. Each ambassador team can provide preaching, teaching, worship leading, and positive role models for youth.
Lincoln Christian University
Perhaps the newest thing at Lincoln is the name. As of September 1, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary became Lincoln Christian University (LCU). The university name is more acceptable among Lincoln”s international constituencies (for whom college or seminary often refers to high school), and also better conveys LCU”s growing stature. Lincoln Christian has grown to more than 1,000 students in nearly 30 degree programs (from associate to doctorate) housed in three different schools and two off-site locations. Befitting its new university status, Lincoln just appointed its first provost, Dr. Clay Ham, formerly dean at Dallas Christian College.
There also is a new school at Lincoln: the Hargrove School of Adult & Graduate Studies, named in honor Lincoln”s founding president. This school continues LCU”s former degree completion program, as well as offering several new programs for adults. Enrollment has grown over the last five years from 95 to nearly 250 students. The Hargrove School includes locations in Danville, Illinois, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as Lincoln”s first completely online degree program, a 30-hour MA in Organizational Leadership. Lincoln is also developing several more online degree programs, including an online MA in TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), and an MA in Spiritual Formation in partnership with Eastview Christian Church in nearby Normal, Illinois.
Lincoln celebrates its 65th birthday this year. Since 1944, Lincoln has sent out more than 15,000 leaders into more than 160 countries. To commemorate its anniversary and legacy, Lincoln published its first complete history: Verses and Voices: The Story of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.
Louisville Bible College
Dr. Tracy W. Marx became the seventh president of Louisville Bible College on March 1, 2010. Marx has a broad background in academics and ministry within the church and community. The college intends to continue to expand its focus on nontraditional students, and in many instances, bivocational ministers.
A new Louisville Bible College online program is promoting distance learning from around the world.
Manhattan Christian College
MCC Online is a new academic department developed to provide services for adult students who want to pursue a regionally accredited biblical education from anywhere in the world via computer. Online degree completion programs in Biblical Leadership as well as Management and Ethics were added to the college”s bachelor of science course offerings after being approved by both the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
After 18 months of demolition and reconstruction, Jolliffe Hall reopened September 24″”a glorious day celebrated by alumni, students, and friends of the college. Highlights included a ribbon cutting, a panel discussion on leadership for the student body, and the dedication including a Communion service, a reception, and many tours. The complete pictorial time line for this $3.5 million project may be viewed at www.mccks.edu/advancement/jolliffe.
Jolliffe Hall is the first major construction project on campus impacting student life since 1993; it provides new and enlarged space for worship, ministry, and education. Wireless technology, a 300-seat multipurpose worship center, two classrooms, and a permanent home for the college library will enhance the ministry of the college. In addition, small group study rooms will support team-based learning while other interactive spaces feature a lounge, fireplace, and other study areas.
Maritime Christian College
Maritime Christian College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is celebrating its 50th anniversary (1960-2010). Presidents have included Charles Herndon, Kenneth T. Norris, Stewart Lewis, Merle Zimmerman, and MCC”s current leader, Fred Osborne. The school”s mission is to prepare Christian leaders for service.
The college is instituting a pilot program, English as a Second Language, to better meet the diverse community in Charlottetown. Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern students will be able to complete English training in order to pursue further academic studies in ministry. Mission-oriented churches in the East are sending out missionaries who need training in English.
Prince Edward Island”s global community and cross-cultural opportunities make it an excellent location for study.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
The most noticeable news at Mid-Atlantic is our name. Founded as Roanoke Bible College in 1948, and joined by Eastern Christian College when that school ceased operation in 2005, MACU is built on a rich heritage of training ministers, especially preachers, and offering education in other disciplines to impact the culture for Christ. The name change followed years of study and input from many stakeholders.
Staff changes this past year included Amanda Avery, who joined the faculty as an instructor in worship and music, and Ken S. Greene, who moved from vice president for student life to vice president for enrollment management. Greene”s new title reflects the restructuring of two departments””Admissions and Student Life””into one.
Mission interest and service continue to grow on MACU”s campus, with increasing numbers of students attending the National Missionary Convention and serving short-term mission trips both at home and abroad. This past year saw students, faculty, and staff serving or teaching in more than 10 countries. In January, 230 volunteers raised more than $12,000 to pay for packaging 61,000 meals on campus. It was providential as the meals were prepared and designated for Haiti””as a part of Lifeline Christian Mission”s Kids Against Hunger program””just days before the devastating earthquake there.
Mid-South Christian College
Mid-South Christian College is moving forward in 2010:
A New Emphasis on Church Planting. In 1959 MSCC was established by Vernon Newland to help plant New Testament churches in the Mid-South area. While such evangelism has always been important to the school”s mission, this year the college has taken bold steps to make it the No. 1 priority. Students are forming church planting teams and are being mentored by faculty throughout an action learning process that will actually result in new congregations. The plan is to start 20 new churches by 2020!
A New Campus. Deterioration of the neighborhood around the current campus prompted the board of trustees to seek out a new campus. A new location with sufficient existing structures for the college has been located, and a buyer for the current campus also has been found. MSCC expects to be in her new home by fall semester 2010.
A New Step Toward Accreditation. For four years, MSCC has been conducting a self-study as part of the process of achieving candidate status with the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. The self-study was submitted, an evaluation team has visited campus, and the college was to present her case before the commission in February. Accreditation will open up new avenues of funding, student recruiting, and opportunities for service.
Milligan College
Milligan College was blessed in 2009 through the faithful support of alumni, churches, and friends. This support enabled Milligan to reach a record enrollment of 1,100 students, with a new student class of more than 300. The college has seen steady enrollment growth in recent years from new academic and athletic programs, stronger retention, and growth in graduate and nontraditional adult programs.
In spring 2009, five Milligan students participated in a new Semester in Ministry program with Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland, spending 19 weeks immersed in ministry and academic coursework taught by MCC staff. Milligan also introduced its first online major””computer information systems””and a growing number of other online courses in 2009.
Ground was broken in the summer on the Gilliam Wellness Center, a 7,100-square-foot fitness and wellness facility for students. It will be dedicated and opened in April.
In October 2009, Milligan dedicated the Citizens Bank Athletic Training Center in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. At Homecoming, also in October, Chancellor Marshall Leggett helped announce the public phase of “Forward Ever: The Campaign for Milligan College,” a comprehensive capital campaign to help Milligan prepare for its 150th anniversary through scholarship, community, and wellness initiatives.
Nebraska Christian College
Nebraska Christian College, now in its 65th year of kingdom ministry, is gaining national attention for its quality programming and innovative strategies to develop the next generation of Christian leaders.
NCC”s worship choir brought people to their feet at the North American Christian Convention in 2009 as it opened the first main session. The choir also shared the stage with Jaci Velasquez and Salvador for NCC”s “Colors of Christmas.”
Dr. Dan Cravatt assumed his new role as director of Mentored Ministry and is coordinating the matching of each NCC student with a mentor who will assist with education outside the classroom. Cravatt has also developed a community-mission mind-set through student involvement in prison ministry in Douglas County, homeless ministry at The Open Door Mission, a campuswide “Day of Ministry,” and other service-oriented opportunities to put classroom into community.
NCC is planning to construct a 20,000-square-foot Ministry Equipping Center this year. The building will combine a 500-seat chapel space with additional classrooms to benefit NCC”s preaching program, along with a large reception area and coffee bar. The $3 million facility will be the focal point for spiritual development and campus activity. It will be a place for training preachers and worship leaders, and hosting chapel services, special events, and community activities.
Ozark Christian College
Brigette Relyea came to Ozark four years ago, the daughter of Bible translators in Papua New Guinea. With her 2009 diploma in hand, she is now headed to minister in Japan. For more than 67 years, Ozark has been sending out young people like Brigette. Many of the other 123 members of her class are also headed for ministries around the globe.
Despite predictions of private college enrollment drops due to the economy, OCC rejoiced in seeing a slight enrollment increase. The college”s “Tuesday Tours” continue to be a great way to introduce prospective students to OCC. Shane Wood, new director of youth minister relations, is now a resource to youth ministers as they challenge students to consider Bible college.
February 2009 was the public launch of the $3.9 million “One Leader at a Time” campaign with two initiative goals: underwriting student scholarships and providing a campus technology upgrade. At the 11-month mark, the campaign has generated $2.3 million in commitments.
Last year, all students participated in a weekly Life Group. The relationships that developed brought many students closer to their fellow students, faculty, and staff. The Week of Evangelism trips provided students practical experience in evangelism.
St. Louis Christian College
St. Louis Christian College saw a record enrollment of 336 students in fall 2009. SLCC offers full-tuition scholarships to qualified students””nearly $1.9 million in scholarships this academic year. There were 75 graduates in May, a record number.
The day and evening programs both grew this school year. The evening-college program, AIM (Adults In Ministry), has grown as church leaders discover they can earn a specialization certificate, an associate”s, or a bachelor”s degree in ministry by attending classes one night per week while working their full-time day jobs.
A new campus organization for young men, called The Brothers of Timothy, was recently formed by students. These students are eager to preach, and SLCC is helping to find churches for them to “practice” their preaching skills.
New employees include: Amanda Bear and Luke Linville (admissions); Deb Pabarcus (development/assistant to the president); Bob Peterson (development in church relations); Melissa Rabideau and Dawn Ottwell (bookstore managers); Megan Frutiger (assistant to the president); Dave Tanzyus (men”s basketball coach); Scott Womble (baseball coach); Doug Lay (women”s cross country coach); and James McFarland (director of the men”s residence hall).
One of SLCC”s students, Gerson Nozea, along with his wife, Heather, recently established a new ministry to a group of unreached people in Haiti. Nozea has taken a one-semester break to minister to earthquake victims.
The Development Department has established a new program that uses faculty to preach and teach in churches. SLCC is looking for more churches where its faculty can minister.
Through CURE (Consortium for Urban Religious Education), SLCC faculty are provided with the opportunity to teach in Mexico and Nicaragua.
Summit Christian College
Summit Christian College, with its particularly strong emphasis on world outreach, stands proudly as an important contributor of Christian higher education among our sisterhood of four-year colleges. Its emphasis on quality education is underscored by its principled approach to hiring experienced professors and staff who remain actively involved in ministries outside the context of their work at the college. This practice provides its professors with an exceptional ability to speak authoritatively on the practical application of their subject matter, helping to bring their classrooms to life. Over Christmas break, several SCC students, along with the college president and a Greek professor, participated in a joint “Discovery Intensive” course hosted at Manhattan Christian College in cooperation with SCC, Nebraska Christian College, and Pioneer Bible Translators.
SCC”s beautiful new campus offers students a pleasant atmosphere to prepare for the future. In addition to great dorms, library, computer lab, and well-equipped classrooms, it is conveniently located off the walking trail that leads to the top of Scottsbluff National Monument. Completing the hike affords one a wide panoramic view of the beautiful Platte Valley region. Summit Christian College is a great college that provides all who study there with a great opportunity at a great price in a great setting.
Summit Theological Seminary
Summit President George Faull”s “Eternal Struggle,” an in-depth audio lecture on the spiritual battle between God and Satan, as shown throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, has been converted to CD format. This 18-week course study had been available only on 25 audiotapes. The conversion to CD was completed in July. Many other courses have been converted from audiocassette to CD and DVD formats so students can obtain better quality for their independent studies work.
Summit”s Web site, www.summit1.edu, has been changed to add class announcements for newly created courses that are being recorded. All are welcome to attend these free Thursday night lectures. Also, the Gospel Unashamed Web page has been revamped.
Since its founding 26 years ago, Summit”s rates have not changed; the school charges $30 per credit hour for undergraduate work and $50 per credit hour for graduate level work.
TCM International Institute
TCM International Institute is growing, and the school now has more than 1,000 national missionaries serving throughout Europe and Central Asia. TCM graduates and students share the gospel as they strive to be international disciple makers for Jesus. In 2009, TCM saw a record number of 806 registered students from 22 countries. Of these students, 56 were from Muslim-dominated nations.
Developing additional disciple makers requires expanded programs and personnel. To meet this need, TCM added four new faculty members: Peter Penner, who will become dean and teach missions and New Testament; Katharina Penner, director of research resources and teacher; Mihai Malancea, who will teach intercultural studies; and Meego Remmel, who will teach systematic theology and Christian ethics. Malancea and Remmel are TCMII graduates.
In order to more effectively develop disciple makers throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, more than half the permanent faculty will now be able to teach directly in Russian. This year TCM will also launch an “International Disciplers” movement with the purpose of calling global disciple makers to focus on obeying our Lord”s imperative in the Great Commission.
William Jessup University
In August, William Jessup University cut the ribbon for a beautiful new student apartment complex that can accommodate 192 students. It increases the campus residential living capacity to 363. With the influx of students last fall, WJU filled its dormitory space and 90 percent of the campus apartments also were occupied.
After serving as president for 25 years, Bryce Jessup announced his retirement and will be passing the baton to a new president at graduation in May.
In his 40 years of service to the school, Jessup has also held the titles of dean of students, professor, and basketball coach. Jessup will leave behind a rich legacy of leadership highlighted by successfully leading the institution in its move from San Jose to Rocklin, California; that move established the first fully accredited, private, four-year university in the Sacramento area and a premier higher educational presence for Northern California.
He will continue to serve part-time in development, as adjunct professor, and represent the university in church and community events as called upon.
WJU cut tuition costs by 2.5 percent last year””one of the few private colleges in America to do so. This year the board of trustees voted to freeze tuition, thus continuing to provide a Christian university education at the lowest price possible. WJU experienced record increases in new students in both the fall and spring semesters, and applications for next fall are more than double this time last year.
At Christmastime, Cambodia”s secretary of state and another high-ranking official visited WJU”s campus to present an award and to thank Don Brewster, a 2001 WJU graduate, for his work with Agape International Missions (AIM).
Don and his wife, Bridgette, established a restoration center in Phnom Penh to assist little girls who are being rescued from brothels, where they have been sold into sexual slavery, and are being given hope in Jesus! The Cambodian officials came to thank the Brewsters for helping rebuild Cambodia.
Moses Samol Seth, the evangelist for AIM, accompanied the Cambodian dignitaries to WJU. While traveling together, Seth shared the gospel with them and they gave their hearts to Jesus. President Jessup had the privilege of baptizing both Cambodian officials after the awards ceremony on campus.
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