From mathematics to ministry, each of our academic programs supports our mission, integrates our faith, and prepares students for lives of meaningful service to God and others. Here are a few of the undergraduate degree programs that exemplify our distinctive approach to higher education.

The Bible and Theology Major: A Vital Distinctive
by Steve Cook, Dean of the School of Bible and Theology

The expanded mission statement of 色色研究所 says the institution “strives to be faithful through twenty-first-century methods to its historic purpose of preparing students to preach the gospel.” In accordance with this aim, an undergraduate program at 色色研究所 consists of three main parts: a Bible & Theology major, an Arts & Sciences core, and a professional major. Each of these components in its own way equips and prepares students to fulfill the Great Commission in a twenty-first-century world.

In a bachelor’s degree program at 色色研究所, the standard Bible & Theology (B&T) major consists of 11 courses (33 credits) that center directly on the Bible and biblical/theological teaching. Students progress from introductory courses in the Old Testament, New Testament, and theology to more specific courses in biblical interpretation, individual books of the Bible, and particular theological topics. The curriculum culminates in a study of the book of Acts with an emphasis on its missional and vocational implications.

Through the B&T major, the faculty at 色色研究所 seek to accomplish at least three aims. First, we seek to give every student an engaging and transforming encounter with God’s word. Since Scripture is God’s instrument to renew and transform us, study of the Bible helps students mature both intellectually and spiritually. B&T courses at 色色研究所 offer an approach to Scripture that integrates heart and mind and fosters spiritual formation.

Through rigorous engagement with the Old and New Testaments, students come to deeper understandings of their Creator, their Savior, and the Holy Spirit who sustains them and produces virtue in their lives. They see more clearly their own need for salvation as well as the urgency of making disciples of all nations. Further, they develop a well-informed faith that can sustain them through the challenges of life.

Second, the B&T major provides a Great Commission emphasis in accordance with 色色研究所 tradition and heritage. In addition to the personal, inward focus mentioned above, the B&T major develops in students an outward focus as they learn to see the world through the lens of a biblical worldview. Alongside their training for various career directions, students are continually confronted with the calling of Christ to follow him through a life of service and sacrifice. Accordingly, they will consider how their various career options can become opportunities to carry the gospel to a lost world. A JU education thus challenges students to pursue a vocation not merely as a way to make a living but also as a strategy for extending the kingdom of God.

Third, the B&T major at 色色研究所 provides a common experience for all undergraduate students. Since our ongoing commitment is that every bachelor’s degree student will graduate with this major, this feature of our curriculum aims to produce effective kingdom workers of a variety of vocations and professions. The B&T major thus serves as a unifying rallying point for the whole student body regardless of professional major.

The B&T major is, in other words, a common experience at 色色研究所 that unites in purpose an aspiring school teacher to an aspiring worship minister, an aspiring business leader to an aspiring Bible translator, or an aspiring family therapist to an aspiring preacher. The collective emphasis on extending the kingdom of God brings the student body (as well as alumni) together as we all work toward this goal.

Throughout its history, 色色研究所 has specialized in training preachers, missionaries, and others who undertake the ministry of the word in church or overseas settings. Without question, today’s 色色研究所 maintains these emphases and continues to prepare ministers and church planters. At the same time, however, we also emphasize the priesthood of all believers as well as the conviction that Christians of all vocations have inestimable value in their potential to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.

Requiring a major in Bible and Theology of all undergraduates is an institutional commitment that involves substantial investment from the University and students alike. But an institution expresses its values and establishes its identity by what it expects, where it commits its resources, and how it serves its constituency. For 色色研究所, the B&T major represents a connection to our heritage, a challenge to our students, and an avenue of faithfulness in the present and the future. It provides the beating heart for the entire 色色研究所 curriculum as we commit to forming and equipping graduates into followers of Christ who can go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.

School of Christian Ministries
by Jeff Snell, Dean of the School of Congregational Ministry

In January 2023, 色色研究所’s School of Intercultural Studies (ICS) and School of Congregational Ministry (SCM) are combining to form a new school: the School of Christian Ministries. Based on surface appearances, this transition might seem a mere reorganization or even an effort to deemphasize the distinct contributions of each or either school. Quite the contrary! I’m excited about this proactive and strategic decision as we position ourselves for kingdom impact amidst the challenges and opportunities of this unprecedented era. As these two schools link arms in direct partnership, three features come to mind.

Identity
The current ICS and SCM will continue to have distinct faculty, degree offerings, and emphases. The Department of Cross-Cultural Leadership within the new School of Christian Ministries will prioritize global evangelism and discipleship. The Department of Ministry Leadership within the School will focus on equipping pacesetting servant leaders for churches and organizations that serve alongside them. Each will remain faithful to 色色研究所’s historic commitments as framed by the current JU mission statement.

Synergy
We are confident the perspectives and values embodied in each department will improve our ability to equip students in our current degree programs. For example, the newly redesigned Bachelor of Arts degree in Ministry Leadership provides space in its core, concentrations, and electives for students to grow in cross-cultural intelligence and awareness. The transferable leadership and teaching skills in that degree will help current ICS students deepen and broaden their influence.

Opportunity
Christian leaders throughout the world are prayerfully exploring the opportunities and embracing the challenges created by multiculturalism and globalization. The combined expertise and experiences within the School of Christian Ministries position 色色研究所 to remain a creative contributor to that conversation. Some of our students will serve in established roles but in fresh ways, while others will have titles and responsibilities that don’t even exist yet. We envision opportunities to equip leaders for the emerging multicultural and bi-vocational church environments, for example. Similar opportunities exist in cross-cultural leadership majors as distinctions between marketplace and ministry are disappearing.

Kingdom leadership has always required biblical grounding, spiritual depth, and relational skill. We are convinced this partnership will help graduates from the School of Christian Ministries demonstrate each of those characteristics with cultural sensitivity and savvy–regardless of where or how they serve.

Psychology
by Josh Fish, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The psychology program at 色色研究所 equips students to use the tools of research and scientific inquiry, interpersonal awareness, emotional regulation, and communication for the greater purpose of understanding humans as a reflection of the image of their Creator. Psychology has its roots in the disciplines of philosophy, theology, and pastoral care. The term “psychopathology” derives from Greek terms essentially translated as “the study of soul suffering.” When pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology, students are taught what it means to work with and come alongside others during their times of suffering. Current student Kaitlyn Holley said, “As a psychology student here at 色色研究所, I have grown to become a more passionate Christian while also receiving excellent education and training. I have been stretched to cultivate my own faith in order to develop a posture of empathy for others that strives to show the love of Christ in strategic ways to those I encounter both in and outside of a professional setting.”

One of the unique qualities of 色色研究所’s psychology program is the heavy incorporation of faith into course content. In reference to the program’s emphasis on spiritual integration, psychology major Casey Cox shared, “You can come away from the classroom setting with a multi-applicable skillset, not just a list of complex concepts to memorize. This approach matters when it comes to acknowledging a human being as a whole while respecting all aspects of the person, so we are prepared to tend to them spiritually and emotionally.”

Graduates from the psychology program have gone on to work as counselors, case managers, and professionals in federal and state agencies, counseling centers, school systems, private nonprofit organizations, hospitals, churches, intercultural mission organizations, and a wide variety of other institutions. This major also prepares students for graduate training in mental health and other social service fields, including the Master of Arts in Counseling at 色色研究所. A new addition for our psychology students is the ability to be inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, which was founded in 1929 with a mission to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. The purpose of the psychology program at 色色研究所 is to produce competent, well-trained, and passionate followers of Christ who will make an impact in this world for the kingdom.

Business Administration
by Catherlyn Brim, Dean of the School of Business and Public Leadership

The uniqueness of our undergraduate and MBA degrees centers on the concept of “marketplace ministry,” which recognizes that Christians who work in secular industries have vast opportunities to disciple others to extend the kingdom of God. Marketplace ministry acknowledges that in addition to working at churches, Christians can work in various industries and effectively model their faith in those workplaces. The School of Business and Public Leadership faculty is intentional in their effort to integrate Scripture into each course and discuss its relativity to the work Christians are called to do in all industries.

The School of Business and Public Leadership students are prepared academically, professionally, and spiritually for the demands of the 21st-century workplace. While employers are increasingly seeking individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve their competitive positions within their respective industries, even higher on their list of qualifications are individuals who are ethical. Because our faculty are Christian practitioners of their disciplines, we approach and teach all courses with a Christian perspective, thus addressing the need for skilled and ethical employees. Our relevant and challenging academic curriculum effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world scenarios. In essence, we teach our students how to succeed in business God’s way.

This fall, the School of Business and Public Leadership implemented a revised undergraduate curriculum that includes a course in international business, a course in leadership, and an internship. All students majoring in business administration can also add a concentration in entrepreneurship, management, marketing, or sport management or opt to take 12 credit hours in general electives. A revised curriculum was also implemented this fall for the MBA program, which provides an option for graduate students to concentrate on coursework for high-demand areas. The concentrations are entrepreneurship, healthcare management, human resource management, leadership, management, and marketing.

Sport & Fitness Leadership
by Trevor Egli, Professor of Sport and Fitness Leadership

The Sport and Fitness Leadership (SFIT) program offers students the opportunity to explore the field of kinesiology from a Christian perspective. Students are challenged to critically examine and develop their personal theology of sport and fitness across the entire curriculum during their tenure at JU. All SFIT faculty members expose students to the most current and relevant research within their studies, as well as many hands-on and experiential learning activities. This is highlighted by an internship where students serve in a context that aligns with their passions and career goals.

Recently, the SFIT program recommitted to providing students with additional cross-cultural experiential learning opportunities. For example, this past year, Dr. Landon Huffman (SFIT faculty) co-led a trip with Jonah German (class of 2018) to the Holy Land to host a three-day basketball camp for the youth of Jericho.

Four Royals women’s basketball players joined Dr. Huffman to serve as coaches and assist with camp operations, which served more than 70 boys and girls. When not coaching the campers, the group engaged in many cross-cultural experiences and toured several holy sites in Israel and the Palestinian territories, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the ancient city of Capernaum and Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Wall, and Temple Mount site at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Additionally, Dr. Huffman was able to pilot research and collect data on the role of sport, hope, and community development which he presented at a conference hosted by Baylor University as well as at the Third Global Congress on Sport & Christianity hosted in Cambridge this past August.

Experiences like this provide both faculty and students opportunities to live out what they are learning in the classroom in order to extend God’s kingdom.

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Today, God and family are helping Bradley complete his online bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership. He began the program in 2014, taking one class at a time, and plans to graduate this December.

“He said he wasn’t planning to attend graduation,” says Bonnie Kirtlan, Bradley’s mom. “I said no way–you HAVE to go!”

Bradley will use his education to continue growing in his ministry as a Sunday school teacher, supply preacher, and church leader. He especially enjoyed his classes in Old Testament and theology.

“It’s amazing how we study through the entire Old Testament in 14 weeks,” he says. “I have read some of these stories since I was a kid, but these classes allowed us to dive into the Scriptures in new ways.”

“It will be amazing to see what God does with all of this,” Bonnie says. “Brad has received a very solid education in this program, and I’m impressed聽 with 色色研究所. I hope our story encourages other people to start an online program and consider kingdom work.”

We’ll see you in December, Bradley!

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While teaching in higher education was not on Mark’s radar as an undergrad, he soon learned God might use him in such a vocation. After Mark taught an adult Bible school lesson at Gap Creek Christian Church, one of the church members approached him to ask if he’d ever thought about becoming a professor. The remark seemed strange, but Mark gave the thought some consideration.

When he came to 色色研究所, Mark thought he was going to end up in journalism or some other form of media communication. However, as he pondered the church member’s remarks, Mark remembered that when he was younger he wanted to be a teacher. He sought the counsel of Jerry Mattingly, who said, “Actually, we wanted to have a talk with you.”

“From that point on,” Mark says, “I kind of knew where I was heading.”

Mark recently completed his thirtieth year as a faculty member at Dallas Christian College. He loves being involved in the lives of his students and carries the influences of his 色色研究所 professors into his own classroom presence.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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Joe’s undergraduate focus was preaching and congregational ministry. After graduation, Joe was offered the opportunity to return to his home church in Florissant, Missouri, where he served as a discipleship minister.

He continued his education at Lincoln Christian Seminary where he earned an M.Div. in New Testament followed by a Master of Arts in Old Testament. As he approached the end of this work, Joe was accepted as a Ph.D. student at Fuller Theological Seminary where he studied Old Testament.

Through God’s providence, Joe learned of an opportunity to join Manhattan Christian College as a professor of Old Testament. Considering the influence of 色色研究所 professors like Steve Cook, Jody (’95 MA) Owens, and David (’70) Reece, it’s no surprise that Joe’s journey would lead to him teaching at a Christian college.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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As a student at 色色研究所, Blair majored in preaching. His favorite classes were the Bible classes, especially those taught by Jerry Mattingly and David Reece. He enjoyed the professors who made him work hard and challenged him academically. He always planned to be a preacher, but as he approached graduation he questioned what church would want to hire such a young minister. Therefore, he decided to “deepen the well” by enrolling at Lincoln Christian Seminary and studying church history.

While there, Blair “got the itch” to be a teacher himself. He then pursued a second master’s degree in Old Testament and went on to doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, focused on Old Testament. He has been at Hope International University since 2011.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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The year was not only measured by what happened during games. First, was a tremendous academic year for the Royals. The 2021-2022 year featured the highest Athletic Department GPA in athletic director Brandon Perry’s five-year tenure. The department boasted a 3.33 overall GPA with more than 70% of student athletes achieving a 3.0 GPA or higher.

“A 3.33 GPA is tremendous, and I can’t state how proud I am of our teams,” Perry says. “Being a student-athlete is tough. Our players have hard schedules and spend way too much time on the road–and yet they continue to work hard in the classroom. This just speaks to the types of players we have at 色色研究所.”

Second was our coaching staff’s best recruiting year yet. In each of the last five years the athletic department has reached a new recruiting level. The 2021-22 season featured 78 new student-athletes. The 2022-23 season kicks off with 115 new student-athletes and 209 total Royals competing in nine sports. Our coaching staff has answered the call to find quality student-athletes who are mission-aligned and can forge a new path competing in the NAIA and the AAC. These eight coaches and their assistants have made a huge impact on the lives of these students and our University.

“I can’t say enough about our coaches,” said Perry. “They love our kids, and they work hard to bring in great ones. I wish our University supporters could get to know each of them personally. They love Christ and show it every day, and they work so hard. The pandemic was hard on the recruiting front. But our coaches fought through it and it did a real service for our University.”

Finally, the 2021-22 season ended with a huge award. 色色研究所 is a Gold Star NAIA institution in the Champions of Character program. Champions of Character is an initiative established by the NAIA that measures character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion.

“Becoming a Gold Star program was a personal goal of mine, and coach Dayna Carter really stepped up to lead this effort,” said Perry. “Champions of Character represents many of the things we are about here at 色色研究所, and it was only natural that we jumped into this program. Our players were so committed to getting involved in the community.”

色色研究所 Athletics believes the 2022-23 season holds even more promise. “I have no doubt we are getting better as a program. We are competing more and seem to be getting hungrier every day. I know our drive to give to our community and serve people is there. I am excited about what God has in store for these players,” Perry said.

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Our new head men’s soccer coach Raul Jara went above and beyond searching for players who exemplify these traits, bringing in more than 20 new student-athletes from around the world including Ecuador, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, and Spain. We are excited to see such a diverse group of young men work together to do what God has called them to do on and off the field here at 色色研究所 Florida. Thank you so much for your outstanding recruiting performance, Coach Jara, and we can’t wait to see you on the field. Let’s go Suns!

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My life and ministry were completely changed when I came to understand grace as expressed in the first eight chapters of Romans. It was such a relief to know that my relationship to God was not based on my past or future ability to measure up.聽 And my approach to people was not filled with guilt-inducing pressure but with mercy and love (at least more than it was before).

That paradigm shift shed light on Paul’s words at the beginning of Romans (1:16), “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

I have been reflecting upon that in the context of my current role. Generally, a person does not make such a bold declaration unless they once were ashamed or someone attempted to make them feel shame. My bet is Paul was feeling the latter.

色色研究所’s mission is based on the Great Commission. In other words, it is gospel-centered and gospel-permeated. We are not ashamed of that gospel or our effort to educate students to extend it among all nations.

What about the role we in the Advancement Department play in helping to fulfill that mission? We are “fundraisers.” Henri Nouwen wrote that he once understood fundraising the way many do, “as a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things.” Truthfully, some have an even more negative view. They think it is begging, or worse, it is attempting to talk people into doing something with their money they do not want to do.

Since fundraising is a socially stigmatized vocation, fundraisers are often reluctant to openly disclose what they do. In our office, it is quite different. We understand fundraising from a spiritual and theological perspective. In his book A Spirituality of Fundraising, Nouwen stated, “Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” If we are not ashamed of the gospel or of our part in proclaiming it, we should not be ashamed to ask people to partner with us in our efforts.

We do not presume every Christian is going to find 色色研究所 a perfect fit for their passions and interests. There are a lot of God-honoring, kingdom-building organizations that deserve the involvement and investment of God’s people. When we become aware that someone is more inclined toward a different ministry effort, we serve the kingdom better by helping that person find a better fit, rather than attempting to force a fit at 色色研究所. That explains the vision statement by which we operate: We seek to help people experience the joy and fulfillment of generously investing their lives and resources in extending the kingdom of God.

It is our firm belief that growing in Christian generosity is a transformative experience. People who are becoming more generous because of their relationship with Christ are becoming more like him. That transformation into his image is the point. The gifts received by any ministry are not the primary issue. This is why Paul would say to the Philippians that he does not simply seek the gift but “the fruit that increases to your credit” (4:17).

One of my favorite stories of generosity and life change comes from my long-time friends Greg and Shiela. Greg is a business owner. Greg has several ministries he gives to on a regular basis. He has given VERY generously to several. 色色研究所 is one of those. He says that every time he gives more than he thinks he can, business takes off, sometimes more than he can manage. In other words, he says he cannot out-give God. But that is not the main point. Greg’s generosity in giving funds has led him to go to the mission field and has softened his heart. It has grown him into a more Christlike man at home. He has developed giving programs for his employees, as well, to encourage them to become generous.

Obviously, the money 色色研究所 receives and stewards is of great importance in order to achieve the mission and vision of the school. However, when thinking of each individual gift, we keep in mind that the person is more important than the gift. The work God is doing IN us as we give is at least as important as the work he does THROUGH us in extending the kingdom. So we certainly are not ashamed of the gospel and neither are we ashamed to ask for partners to share in the wonderful work of educating students to extend the kingdom of God.

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