Mission of Higher Education

ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS—
THE MISSION OF CHURCH OF GOD HIGHER EDUCATION

Since 1917, the mission of Church of God higher education within the Church of God reformation movement has been to call, form, and sustain men and women as disciples of Jesus Christ and prepare them vocationally for service in the church and in the world.

DISCIPLESHIP IS A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS ABOUT LEARNING, LIFE CHANGE, MENTORING, AND CHRISTIAN FORMATION THAT INFORMS ALL OF LIFE AND WORK AND, THEREFORE, IS AN APT DESCRIPTION FOR THE MISSION OF CHURCH OF GOD HIGHER EDUCATION.

Church of God institutions of higher education are committed to excellence. They inspire, educate, and equip students to faithfully affect the world for Christ. This occurs through an education journey that:

INTEGRATES scholarship, knowledge, skills, ethical behavior, and spirituality
Assists in fulfilling a student’s CALL
Provides MEANINGFUL LEARNING AND LIVING EXPERIENCES
BRIDGES THE DIVIDE between theory and practice
INSTILLS THE DISCIPLINES of lifelong learning, careful discernment, and personal commitment to Jesus Christ—regardless of major field of study, degree, or career.

Church of God higher education seeks to graduate students who exhibit strong and distinctive core values. These alumni who embody this mission:

LOVE GOD with their hearts, souls, and minds; they LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS as themselves
Commit themselves to lives of CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
Reflect whole-life stewardship as contributing participants IN A CHRISTIAN FAITH COMMUNITY AND IN THE WORLD

Church of God higher education aims to produce leaders who are well-educated in their major according to the standards of the colleges and their regions, but with a clear and informed Christian perspective as seen through the radical and liberating lens of the Church of God reformation movement.

The distinctive express of Church of God higher education also is evident in the faculty and staff who teach and mentor students. Church of God higher education aims to encourage and support faculty efforts to guide from a clear and informed Christian perspective.

ENDORSED AGENCIES

Each of the endorsed colleges is an agency of the Church of God and accredited by its regional association as well as many professional organizations. All enjoy donor and alumni support, and each sends students on to graduate schools and other advanced programs to further prepare them for leadership opportunities. Each school realizes its mission as it collaborates with sister institutions to create a catalytic force in the church and in society through the formation of Christian leaders.

Church of God colleges have forged strong partnerships among their presidents, boards, faculties, and students. They applaud the individuality of the schools even as they promote cooperative ventures designed to connect them. Together they communicate clearly and passionately the role and purpose of Church of God higher education in the life of the church at large, in the local congregation, and in the development of leaders. They provide strong scholarship in faith development and formation for use by pastors, teachers, and laity. Their success is evident as graduates take their skills and gifts into the world to effect change, heal wounds, establish learning environments, mentor others, and create settings for salvation and discipleship—all in the name of Jesus.

Click here for a list of Educational Institutions

LOVE GOD WITH THEIR HEARTS, SOULS, & MINDS, THEY LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS AS THEMSELVES

Developed through the Consultation on Higher Education in the Church of God; May 11-12, 2005.