BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University recently was named one of Missouri’s two 2022 Editor’s Picks for Best Online and Campus-Based Christian Bachelor’s Degrees in America, as selected by ChristianMinistryEDU.org.
“I am thankful that others recognize our hard work over the past few years to create programs that are practical, biblical, and missional,” said Dr. Matt Kimbrough, Division of Christian Ministry head and assistant professor of theology at SBU. “We have started regular worship evenings within the division to emphasize the spiritual formation of our students and have revised programs to make the most out of every moment a student spends with us.
“Our partnerships with local churches and with SBU’s Center for Global Connections allow our students to practice what they are learning right now. So, I’m thankful that an outside organization sees the incredible value of a Christian ministry degree at SBU.”
Schools included on the list were evaluated on:
• First Rate Professors Serve as Mentors as Well as Instructors
• The Reputation and Heritage of Your Christian College Has Meaning
• Accessibility and Flexibility Offer Advantages to Working Students
• The Right Support and Resources To Build Your Skills
“We also love SBU for its outstanding selection of regional and global study programs that are offered through the Center for Global Connections,” ChristianMinistryEDU.org stated on its website. “Short-term volunteer programs; mission trips to places like Baja, Guatemala, Honduras, Texas, Louisiana, Philippines, South Asia, and more; and community service and small group Bible studies through the Community Life + Worship program are just some of the unique opportunities available to students here. It’s little wonder why SBU has been named a 2021-2022 College of Distinction and a 2021-2022 Christian College of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction!”
ChristianMinistryEDU.org’s mission is to help students pursue their passion and calling for a career in ministry by identifying degree options, as well as institutions that are a good fit for the student. According to its website, ChristianMinistryEDU.org “is produced by a small, unaffiliated web publishing group that serves as a truly independent voice for Christian education.”
SBU’s Courts Redford Division of Christian Ministry helps students develop ministry skills to be pastors, Christian education ministers, youth ministers, children’s ministers, other staff positions or missionaries, as well as for lay ministry, and offers degree options in:
- Biblical Studies
- Children’s Ministry
- Cross-Cultural Ministry
- Discipleship Ministry
- Intercultural Studies
- Pastoral Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
“As Christian ministry faculty members, we serve as an extension of our local churches in training future ministers, missionaries and Christian leaders,” Kimbrough said. “So, this recognition is not only for SBU but also for the many churches around the world that support the division of Christian ministry as we train students who are, as our division-wide mission reads, “Ready for every field.” Great days are ahead as we trust God to continue calling students to serve him as ministry leaders around the globe.”
For more information about SBU’s Division of Christian Ministry, call (417) 328-1770.
*Published: 5-16-2022