February 6, 2024
John Derry reflects on a career in Christian higher education that has included serving in campus ministry, as president of two Christian colleges, and with the ABHE accrediting agency. "My thinking has always been that we must seek to collaborate as we recruit from a shrinking pool of students and secure financial support," he writes . . .
November 4, 2020
By John Derry Last year, I was among seven Christian university presidents from Southern California to retire. It wasn’t a coordinated decision, just a coincidence—we all were about the same age. I recently was on a Zoom call with some of them and we commented about how, even though we faced plenty of challenges, we never expected anything like COVID-19, a pandemic that has forced cancellation of on-campus instruction and athletic competition, loss of revenue, and transitioning to remote instruction. Initially, many of us thought the crisis would affect only the spring semester, but it has become clear there is
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
October 9, 2019
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
April 30, 2019
When Dr. Paul H. Alexander assumes the presidency of Hope International University in August, he will become the first alumnus of the institution to serve in that role. Alexander has been selected to succeed Dr. John L. Derry as president by HIU’s board of trustees. Alexander will begin serving as the institution’s seventh president on Aug. 16, upon Derry’s retirement. A presidential inauguration at the school in Fullerton, CA, is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17. “I consider Paul one of my best friends and have had the privilege of working closely with him for nine years in his role as
January 31, 2019
Announcement of John Derry’s retirement as president of Hope International University this coming August after 15 years in that office served to remind me it is the 90th anniversary of that institution, which originally was known as Pacific Bible Seminary. Christian Standard announced the launch of that school with a front-page story Dec. 1, 1928, and also with an editorial in that same issue. Following are excerpts from the article, but some of its details open up a bit of mystery. _ _ _ Pacific Bible Seminary New School for the Training of Loyal Christian Preachers Is Launched in Los
January 30, 2019
Hope International University President John L. Derry has announced his retirement. Derry will step down on Aug. 15 after 15 years as Hope’s president, HIU said in a news release. “Over the past several months, Jane and I have been praying and considering when would be the best time for us to transition to retirement,” Derry said. “A decision like this is certainly not easy and in no way reflects on our confidence in the future of the university.” The Derrys have grandchildren in Texas and Ohio and hope to spend more time with them. Since becoming president of HIU,
By LeRoy Lawson While admitting there is no sure-fire formula for success in succession, I have learned a few things from retiring and watching others retire. Here”s my advice. “I wanted you to do well. I didn”t want you to do this well.” I had been away from my 20-year ministry with Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona, for more than a year when Cal Jernigan, my successor, invited me back to preach one weekend. It was already evident the church was prospering under his guidance. All I had hoped would happen in that first year after my departure had
April 9, 2016
We asked several Christian leaders, “What should churches served by CHRISTIAN STANDARD strive to be or do or look like in the next decades?” ____ By John Derry Having served in the field of Christian higher education for my entire ministry, I have always appreciated the role CHRISTIAN STANDARD has played in emphasizing the importance of raising up the next generation of leaders for our churches. Visionary leadership is one of the most critical factors in any successful organization and requires one to be aware of changing trends and needs. In the coming decades it will be important that effective leaders are informed
July 14, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from John Derry, president of Hope International University, Fullerton, California. ________ There are almost 100 books about leadership on the shelves in my office and on my e-reader, representing 40 years worth of reading and studying the subject. Among them are several by Jim Collins, John Maxwell, and Peter Drucker. I have learned much from these prolific writers about what is necessary
January 29, 2015
“Nebraska Christian College is studying the possibility of collaborating with Hope International University to begin a Christian University system with other colleges throughout the country,” according to ncinitiative2015.wordpress.com, a blog set up to  provide updates on the discussions. The blog entry goes on to say, John Derry, the President of Hope International University (http://www.hiu.edu) reached out to Nebraska Christian College in hopes of beginning talks of mutual collaboration. This original email exchange led to two subsequent meetings between President Derry and the Executive Team of NC to discuss ways in which this collaboration could drive mission to a greater extent. We are
August 23, 2014
By John Derry President, Hope International University, Fullerton, California In 2008, I wrote an article for CHRISTIAN STANDARD called “The Future of Christian Church Colleges.” At that time, I anticipated challenges for our schools as they responded to changing demographics, new technology, and increasing accountability demands from government regulation and accreditation agencies. Shortly after the article appeared that March, our country entered the Great Recession. Virtually every industry was affected: banking, automotive, manufacturing, housing, retail, construction, health care, social services, and many others, including higher education. It created a new pressure point exacerbating financial challenges that were already severe. A 2012
March 15, 2013
By John Derry When 100 international students arrive on a small college campus, it can present an interesting challenge as well as a wonderful opportunity. That”s what happens each fall at Hope International University (HIU) when we welcome study abroad students from Dongseo University (DSU), one of the top 10 universities in Korea. The students are accompanied by two visiting professors and study at HIU for two semesters. More than 500 students apply, and 100 are selected by DSU to attend the English as a Second Language program and experience living in the United States. The students are fully engaged
October 22, 2010
By John Derry What would it take for 30 colleges and universities ranging in size from less than 100 to more than 1,000 students, from various regions of the country, and each with unique strengths, to collaborate on a project? The institutions would need to find common ground on which they could come together in a spirit of unity, joining forces to achieve something they could not do alone. The Matthew 9:38 Just One Challenge provides this common ground. It resonates with the leadership of all schools in our fellowship, because without exception they share a common mission of equipping
June 1, 2008
By John Derry Recently my wife and I visited three different congregations, each occupying beautiful historic buildings. The stained-glass windows were breathtaking; each sanctuary would be a perfect setting for a formal wedding. The pipe organs were magnificent and filled the room with majestic music in praise of God. The high ceilings and ornate symbolic architecture created a sense of awe and an atmosphere conducive to worship. On a very small scale, standing in such buildings offered a hint of what it might have been like to enter Solomon”s temple. At one time hundreds of church members filled these buildings,
March 12, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor This week”s issue took me back to the time when my own son and daughter were choosing a college. My daughter attended an orientation session for new students in the spring before she started classes at a Christian college. The wife of the school”s president spoke to the parents and incoming students gathered there. “At this college,” she said, “we”re not here to undo everything you parents have established in 18 years of rearing your child.” About the same time a family friend and her daughter attended a freshman orientation weekend at the state school this
By John Derry Hope International University (www.hiu.edu) Among the many challenges faced by growing and active churches is, “How do we find enough qualified servant-leaders to meet the needs of our congregation?” Demands on the pastoral staff make it difficult to devote the kind of time required to prepare comprehensive training sessions that address critical issues. At the same time, emerging leaders with outstanding potential are assuming more responsibility and desire to refine their ministry skills. They recognize the importance of doing their jobs well, are eager to put new ideas into practice, and want to be sure they have
April 23, 2006
Gary Weedman examines three higher-education trends impacting Christian colleges: shifting demographics, rising costs, and new providers. Drawing on Ten Trends in Higher Education and presidential interviews, he outlines challenges and strategic responses for church-connected institutions.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Sponsored
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok
April 28, 2026
David Faust
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok