Pointing The Way

Much like John Bunyan's "Evangelist", Dr. Mike Langston points the way up the "holy hill" to a new pilgrim starting his journey in the MDiv (Chaplaincy) program this Fall.

Did You Know . . . There Are Tuition Discounts For Our Ministry Partners?

CIU partners with like-minded organizations to share in the privilege of providing top-notch biblical education for our on-campus and online degree programs. We are proud to offer employees, spouses, or their dependents a partnership discount with one of the following constituents.

A list of our partnering churches, schools and business/missions organizations is found here.

Alumni Spotlight: Abishek Pappu

"Sports is an amazing way to share the gospel. I'm reminded of the time when our CIU Soccer Team went to Guatemala for a missions trip. While we were there, we built so many relationships and played a lot of soccer. I didn't know a word of Spanish, but the way we communicated and loved the people in that little community was by using soccer. Thankfully, we also had some Spanish-speaking guys on our team who translated for us and helped to share the gospel to all the teams and people we came in contact with, and that was just an amazing, eye-opening experience."

Read the full interview.

What's On The Drawing Board?

by Dr. John Harvey, Dean of the Seminary & School of Ministry

You should already be aware of the three new degrees the Seminary and School of Ministry is rolling out for Fall 2019. In case you aren’t, they are:

• Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling (MAHSC)
• Doctor of Ministerial Leadership (DML) 
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with concentrations in Biblical and Theological Studies 

You can find details of each degree under the Programs by College section of the academic catalog.

I wanted you to be aware, also, that the SSM faculty and staff are working on three additional program initiatives for Fall 2020.

• The Clinical Counseling division is collaborating with the undergraduate Psychology faculty to develop and launch an integrated program that will allow students to earn both a BS in Psychology and an MA in Counseling in five years.
• The Undergraduate Ministry division is working to revise the Church Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Pastoral Theology majors to provide more flexibility and enhance the possibility of moving between majors as efficiently as possible. 
• Columbia Biblical Seminary is working to develop and launch a Practical Theology concentration that will be the third option in the new PhD program. 

There are other plans on the horizon. So, stay tuned for updates as we are able to share more details.

Program Highlight: Doctor of Ministerial Leadership (DML)

by Dr. Andre Rogers, Professor of Church Ministry

Many of you have had successful ministries! You are church leaders, executive pastor, chaplains, ministry leaders, small group leaders, parachurch leaders, and the list goes on and on. You have earned your bachelor's degree and your master's degree as well. Life is good! But what if God has more for you? What if God provides an opportunity for you to go to another level with a doctorate degree? If this is you I have a program designed with you in mind!

In August 2019 Columbia Biblical Seminary is launching the Doctor of Ministerial Leadership degree program. We are so excited to offer this degree totally online! The program is designed with one class per semester for the busy leader to accomplish their goal of completing their doctorate without taking too much time from your ministry responsibilities. If you are looking for an excellent opportunity to complete your doctorate degree please consider this as your personal invitation! We will see you soon!

Photoblog: Shortess Chapel on the campus of Columbia International University

Did You Know . . . You Can Download Syllabi?

. . .  that you could download syllabi for Fall 2019 through your MyCIU account? 

Follow this link and search for your course today! 

Alumni Spotlight: Rev. Tracy Roberts

Rev. Tracy Roberts graduated from the Seminary and School of Ministry in 2016.

"Attending Columbia International University and sitting under Dr. Andre Rogers for Pastoral Ministries truly prepared me for real-world ministry. My ability to preach, care for congregants, evangelize, and administrate successfully are tools that I am thankful Dr. Rogers and the other professors at CIU helped me to master for the glory of God’s kingdom both nationally and internationally."

CIU-SSM Attends The Black Church and Leadership Family Conference

"Black Church Leadership and Family Conference is three events in one: a leadership development conference, spiritual retreat, and family vacation in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina."

Look for our booth at the Black Church and Leadership Family Conference at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, North Carolina, July 22-25, 2019.

Mention this post for your free gift!

Dr. Andre Rogers, Professor of Church Ministry

Michelle Raven, PhD International Community Development Program Director

Dean's Devos: "Be Sure To Count Your Blessings"

by Dr. John Harvey

Ephesians 1:3-14 is one of my favorite passages. It reminds us that we should praise God because he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The list is long, but it includes four special blessings. Why not take a minute and read the verses noted? Perhaps you will be encouraged by what you read.

Blessing #1: Before there was time God chose us in Christ (1:4-6).
Perhaps you feel as though no one loves you or cares about you. If that’s the way you feel, be encouraged: God cared enough about you to choose you with the specific purpose of making you holy and blameless so that you could have fellowship with him. Surely that’s a reason to praise God.

Blessing #2: In the fulness of time, God redeemed us in Christ (1:7-10).

Perhaps you feel as though God could never be interested in you because your past is too nasty or your present is too messy. If that’s the way you feel, be encouraged: You are worth enough to God that he sent his son to pay a price you could never pay. Surely that’s a reason to praise God.

Blessing #3: At just the right time, God claimed us in Christ (1:11-12).
Perhaps you feel as though you have no purpose or life has no point. If that’s the way you feel, be encouraged: God claimed you as his possession, and his claim check was the cross of Jesus Christ. Surely that’s a reason to praise God.

Blessing #4: For all time, God sealed us in Christ (1:13-14).

Perhaps you feel uncertain about the future or are troubled by doubts. If that’s how you feel, be encouraged: Your future is guaranteed for all time because the Holy Spirit who indwells you is the downpayment of your final redemption. Surely that’s a reason to praise God.

Ephesians 1:4-6 New International Version

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

Alumni Spotlight: Turner Mayben (Bachelor of Arts, Church Ministry)

"CIU was a great college choice for me. Through the many Pastoral and Church Ministry courses, which included leadership courses, I was able to embrace my current role as manager of an Office Depot. I was able to learn how to be a leader to those who may not know Christ and how to lead them to Him through my actions, attitude, and leadership on a daily basis."

200 Columbia-Area youth hear the gospel at Hoop for Hope camp

CIU Rams learn to “coach” youth on basketball and life

By Bob Holmes

Columbia International University Assistant Athletics Director Kim Abbott says this was the plan for CIU athletics from Day 1.

As Abbott stood on the steps overlooking the CIU basketball court where groups of nearly 200 Columbia-area youth were shooting hoops at CIU’s Hoop for Hope camp, she reminisced on the day she was hired. In 2010 she was tapped to organize CIU’s first-ever intercollegiate athletics program, with the intention that athletics would be a platform for sharing the gospel.

“This is really our ministry — bringing kids to CIU for camp,” Abbott said. “This is a major purpose as to why we started athletics.”

The Hoop for Hope camp is an initiative by the CIU men’s and women’s basketball programs to engage with the youth in Columbia. The name of the camp comes from Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to give you HOPE and a future..'" with the purpose of sharing the hope that comes with having a relationship with Jesus.

Read the full article

Voted #1 Best Online Master's in Ministry Programs

Columbia International University has been selected as one of BestColleges.com’s Best Online Master's in Ministry programs for 2019!

The master of arts in Bible exposition at CIU boasts a broad curriculum applicable to careers in academia, ministry, and missionary work. This fully online program attracts students from all over the world. Full-time students without prior graduate school experience can graduate in three years, while transfer students typically earn their degrees in 1-2 years.

This master of ministry online program offers two program tracks: one for incoming students without a background in biblical study and one for students with at least 30 undergraduate credits in biblical study. Students in the first category earn 48 credits in areas such as the prophets, God's means of providing redemption, and interpreting and applying the Bible. Students in the second category complete a 36-credit curriculum in areas such as New Testament theology and the foundations of spiritual formation.

Read more here. 

Welcome, Dr. Seth Scott, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

B.S., Emmaus Bible College; M.A., Regent University; Ph.D., Walden University

Seth Scott grew up in New Jersey, learning aspects of ministry life by observing his parents in Rescue mission and church ministries. Seth specializes in counselor education with emphases in clinical skill-building, counselor identity development, adolescence, and clinical care with couples, young adults, and around issues of addiction. Seth loves to read, work on home remodeling projects, ride his motorcycle, hike, and play sports and board games with family and friends. Seth earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Leadership and Program Development from Walden University in 2018, his MA in Community Counseling from Regent University in 2007, and his BS in Biblical Studies and Intercultural Studies from Emmaus Bible College in 2004. Seth is a Licensed Professional Counseling in South Carolina and has worked in clinical and addiction counseling in Iowa and Maine. Seth and his wife Jen, a ceramic artist and small business owner, have two children.

Read more about Dr. Scott.

CIU students ready to make an impact in government

By Bob Holmes

Nearly 50 Columbia International University students learned to make an impact in the Nation’s Capital, as well as at home at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C. June 27-29.

The students heard from the nation’s top government leaders including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and a number of senators, congressional representatives and cabinet members. They also attended breakout sessions featuring panelists who discussed how to engage the culture and political process.

Read more

Alumni Spotlight: John N. Harmon (Bachelor of Science, Pastoral Ministry)

"God has opened many doors for me through the years. I currently serve St. Andrews Baptist Church in Columbia, SC as Minister of Families. Through this ministry, I have opportunities to minister to children, youth, and even preach in our LightZone service. CIU didn’t just prepare me for ministry vocationally, I was prepared to make ministry a lifestyle. Through coaching my son’s club soccer team I have the opportunity to impact more families for God’s kingdom."

Ten Bible Verses on Freedom

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

 “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118:5)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“…our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus…” (Galatians 2:4)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

“To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (Acts 10:43)

“We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

(source: Christian Daily)

Alumni Spotlight: Stephone Berry

Stephone Berry (MDiv, Ministry Studies, 2018) is currently serving as an Associate Minister at Christian Faith Fellowship in Columbia, SC. He is deeply involved in his community - volunteering and mentoring youth in various sports organizations. He and his family are in prayer about the future possibility of planting a church in the Northeast area of Columbia. His time at CIU has given him invaluable knowledge and prepared him for service in the kingdom.