Colleges & Seminaries

Colleges & Seminaries highlights the schools and training programs that prepare leaders for lifelong service in the church. Explore articles on Christian higher education, ministry formation, theological training, campus life, and the work of colleges and seminaries connected to churches and the Restoration Movement. You’ll find news, profiles, interviews, and updates about programs, initiatives, and events—along with stories that inform and encourage students, faculty, alumni, and church leaders. This hub helps readers stay connected to the people and institutions shaping future ministry.

April 8, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian College Presidents Describe Challenges, Possible Long-Term Ramifications of COVID-19

By Chris Moon In his 24 years at Ozark Christian College—10 as a professor and 14 now as president—Matt Proctor has never experienced a spring semester like this one. “We’re all learning,” he said. The university in Joplin, Mo., just finished its first week of being an online-only school amid the campus closures that have affected colleges across the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. Proctor said things haven’t been easy, but they haven’t been overwhelming, either. “I am blessed with an amazing team,” he said. “I have been able to see our team at Ozark just rally together and do

April 2, 2020

Christian Standard

HIU Announces Closure of Nebraska Christian College

By Jim Nieman Nebraska Christian College will close at the end of this semester. The announcement was made this afternoon after a decision by the Hope International University board of trustees. HIU and NCC had merged in 2016. “To give you an idea of our current challenge, our spring enrollment there [at NCC] has fallen to under 90 students, which is the lowest in 30 years,” said Paul Alexander, president of the combined university, via a video posted at NCC’s website. “The number of students required to cover our costs there is just about 200. So, that gap is simply

March 30, 2020

Christian Standard

Christian Universities Switch to Online Instruction

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused our Christian colleges and universities to switch from in-person learning to various forms of Internet instruction or “distance delivery.” Here is a listing of the colleges with very brief explanations of what each has done and links for more information: Alberta Bible College (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)—Campus is closed until further notice. Classes are running on their normal schedule, but now remotely, via Zoom. More information Boise Bible College (Boise, Idaho)—Boise Bible College has scaled back to critical services only. All students were to move out of residential housing by Saturday, March 28. Classes will

March 27, 2020

Christian Standard

Staff Member at Milligan Tests Positive for COVID-19

An unidentified female staff member at Milligan College in Tennessee has tested positive for COVID-19, the school learned Thursday. The individual, who works in Milligan’s business office, was last on campus March 20. She is “doing well,” Milligan reported earlier today. This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 directly related to the Milligan community, the school said. As of Thursday, there were 957 cases of COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Tennessee. Milligan has not had on-campus courses since March 6, when spring break started. After spring break was extended by one week, as many staff as possible began working remotely

March 11, 2020

Christian Standard

William Jessup University’s Aviation Program Starting to Take Flight

By Chris Moon William Jessup University‘s new aviation program is just getting off the ground. The college in Rocklin, Calif., announced plans in January 2019 to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation, starting last spring. Since then, much time and effort has gone into securing the necessary Federal Aviation Administration approvals for its flight school and curriculum. That work is nearly done, said Loo Ng, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who directs Jessup’s aviation program. Two students are working their way through the program, and Ng expects as many as 10 students to be enrolled within

March 9, 2020

Christian Standard

Northwest Christian University Changing Name to Honor Co-Founder

Northwest Christian University is changing its name to Bushnell University. James A. Bushnell co-founded the university and was the first chairman of its board of trustees, the university said on its website. The name change will help the school in Eugene, Ore., reach beyond the Northwest part of the country to students across the United States and internationally. The change will take effect this year, after students graduate in May. The university said its faith commitment remains unchanged. “Our mission, vision, and values are founded upon a faith in Jesus Christ. Our commitment to Christian higher education remains the same,”

February 26, 2020

Christian Standard

Alberta Bible College Adapts to Meet Needs of Today's Church

By Chris Moon Stanley Helton believes Alberta Bible College is in the middle of a turnaround. The president of the Christian college in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has overseen doubling of the school’s enrollment during the past five years. Its adult learning population is starting to take off. And financially, the college finished 2019 in the black—the first time since 2014. “We’ve been steadily chipping away and putting things back in place,” Helton said. The turnaround has been five years in the making. The college hit hard times after several years of inconsistent leadership following the 26-year tenure of Ron Fraser

February 26, 2020

Christian Standard

Milligan's Webb Lectures to Feature Austin Gohn (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Austin Gohn will speak on “Finding My Roots in the Stone-Campbell Movement as a 20-Something Pastor” and “Three Movements that Will Shape the Stone-Campbell Movement in the Next Decade” at Milligan College’s annual Webb Lecture Series at 11 a.m. March 3 and 5, respectively. Coming up in June, Gohn will be writing about the near-term future of the Restoration Movement for Christian Standard. Gohn serves as lead pastor at Bellevue Christian Church in Pittsburgh. He also serves as a ministry coach for Milligan’s Ministry Leadership Program. Milligan’s Webb Lecture Series is named for

February 12, 2020

Christian Standard

CCU Faculty, Staff Relief Effort Distributes More Than $54,000

The GoFundMe effort on behalf of Cincinnati Christian University Faculty and Staff has disbursed $54,576 among 28 individuals left without jobs because of the school’s sudden closing last year. Gifts came from 132 individuals and ministries from around the world. Some of the largest gifts came from local congregations and parachurch ministries, including: Milford (Ohio) Christian Church, $1,000; Owensboro (Ky.) Christian Church, $2,500; Northeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., $5,000; Bob Russell Ministries, $5,000; SouthBrook Christian Church, Miamisburg, Ohio, $5,000; and Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Ky., $12,500. Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., dedicated its first chapel offering of the second semester

December 26, 2019

Christian Standard

Kenneth T. Norris Played Pivotal Role in Maritime Christian College’s Early Years

Every year, Maritime Christian College in Charlottetown, P. E. I., Canada, hosts a series of lectures. It’s a tradition that started in 1960, the year the college was established. In the early 1980s, the annual event became known as the K. T. Norris Lectureship, honoring a man who helped found the college and became president shortly thereafter. Kenneth T. Norris was born in 1915 in Toronto, Canada. He was baptized at Toronto’s Keele Street Church of Christ in 1932 after spending much of his boyhood in Trenton, Ontario. Starting in 1936, he spent more than a decade attending college and

December 18, 2019

Christian Standard

CCU Faculty, Staff Relief Fund Started on GoFundMe

Three graduates of Cincinnati Christian University have started a GoFundMe page for CCU faculty and staff who are now in need due to the closing of the university. Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, The Lookout editor Shawn McMullen, and Linda Mirante, who serves in ministry with Bachelor Creek Church in Wabash, Ind., started the page Tuesday for CCU workers who are “receiving their last paycheck this week.” The appeal states, “Many of these faithful servants still do not have jobs; at least several are left with no income. With the closing of the school, employees have no severance,

December 11, 2019

Christian Standard

Professor Walton Retiring from CCCB (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Central Christian College of the Bible will host a retirement reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday for William Walton, professor emeritus of Christian ministries. Walton began his service with CCCB in 1980 and has served the college in various roles, including as dean of students, vice president of student life, and athletic director. CCCB president David Fincher said he was a high schooler competing in a preaching contest when he first met Walton, and that Walton’s comments that day encouraged Fincher to pursue ministry. “A similar story can be told by thousands

December 4, 2019

Christian Standard

Louisville Bible College President Tom Mobley Dies (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Dr. Tom Mobley, 70, president of Louisville Bible College, died Monday morning at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown, Ky., the city in which he lived. “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that Louisville Bible College received word earlier this morning that Dr. Tom Mobley has passed away,” LBC wrote on its Facebook page. “We are eternally grateful and appreciative of his ministry at Louisville Bible College. His presence will be missed.” Through the years, Dr. Mobley served in various capacities as a Christian educator, minister, and chaplain. He served as

November 18, 2019

Christian Standard

Except for God

As Cincinnati Christian University finishes its final semester of classes before closing, there are undoubtedly many stories from the school’s alumni about their time on campus. This remembrance, which originated as a Facebook note, particularly stood out to us. Jerry Borton was born with cerebral palsy and now serves with Luke 14 Exchange, an organization that encourages people with disabilities to use their gifts. His story is just one part of the tremendous legacy CCU has left us. _ _ _ By Jerry Borton Like so many of you, I am deeply saddened by the news that Cincinnati Christian University

November 6, 2019

Christian Standard

CCU’s Trustees Apologize, Plus Other Updates about Pending Closure

As a follow-up to our story last week that Cincinnati Christian University will be closing after the fall semester, CCU board of trustees president Chris Hahn posted a letter on behalf of his fellow trustees to “apologize for the situation we are in and for how our communication of the cessation of academic operations may have caused confusion and pain.” CCU is also now providing more resources for students at its website, including a section of responses to frequently asked questions. CCU previously announced a partnership with Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, Mo.), which will be opening an

October 31, 2019

Christian Standard

Cincinnati Christian University Started with a Merger

Cincinnati Bible Institute started on Oct. 1, 1923, and McGarvey Bible College in Louisville, Ky., opened a day later. In less than a year, the two colleges merged, as reported in the March 22, 1924, issue of Christian Standard. The institution’s new name became Cincinnati Bible Seminary. “The new seminary,” the editor wrote, “will embody all the virtues of each of the merging institutions, and, as each was the complement of the other, it will become one of the most ideal schools of learning that the cause of restoration of primitive Christianity has ever produced.” Many will agree those words

October 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Cincinnati Christian University to Close Doors after 95 Years

Cincinnati Christian University will close its doors and stop offering classes after this semester. CCU, which was founded in 1924, announced the decision on its website Monday and also shared a letter with its 500-plus students advising them of the school’s desire to work with them to find new homes at accredited institutions. To that end, CCU’s board of trustees also announced a partnership with Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Mo. Under the arrangement, CCCB is offering to continue providing accredited training to CCU ministry students in Cincinnati through establishment of a CCCB extension campus in the spring.

October 26, 2019

Christian Standard

Milligan College to Become Milligan University in 2020

Milligan College kicked off Homecoming weekend Friday by announcing it will change its name to Milligan University effective June 1, 2020. President Bill Greer and board of trustees chairman Ron Dove made the announcement after the fall board meeting. The decision followed two years of study and after considering input from alumni, faculty, staff, the college’s strategic planning committee, and others, according to a news release. “The name Milligan University reflects who we are today and our journey to this moment,” Greer said. “While our name and program offerings may change, who we are at our core hasn’t wavered for

October 23, 2019

Christian Standard

Milligan’s New Ministry Leadership Program Off to Exciting Start

By Jim Nieman Milligan College’s move to strengthen its ministry program is starting to generate momentum. The school added several majors to its program last year, redesigned it to expose students to more ministry settings and incorporate more ministry practitioners, and beefed up the scholarship monies available to most students. “It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been really exciting,” Ron Kastens, director of Milligan’s new Ministry Leadership Program, said last Wednesday. “Friday morning [Oct. 18] a van leaves for Pittsburgh on a ‘ministry expedition’ . . . to help our students see what it looks like to do church in

October 9, 2019

Christian Standard

GLCC Plans 70th Anniversary Celebration (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Mich., will celebrate its 70th anniversary Oct. 18 and 19. A Restoration Appreciation Week Chapel will be at 11 a.m. Friday with Keith Keeran speaking. The 70th Celebration Service will be at 6:30 that night at the Doty Center. A reception for GLCC alumni and friends will follow at 8. An alumni brunch/reunion is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, with “family fun” and lunch from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Weekend anniversary events conclude with a soccer game at 1 p.m. Weekend festivities will also honor Larry Carter

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