Christian-Rooted Colleges Answer the Call of a New Generation with Innovative Programs and Support

In today's ever-changing world, Christian-rooted colleges offer students a unique learning environment that integrates faith with academics. Such institutions provide diverse coursework and extracurricular activities emphasizing the importance of spiritual formation, moral integrity, respect for all people, and service to others. Additionally, these schools have developed innovative programs and support services to meet the needs of this new generation, such as pastoral care, leadership development initiatives, global engagement opportunities through study abroad trips, or campus organizations dedicated to community service. Ultimately Christian-rooted colleges are answering the call of this new generation by providing a supportive learning environment while empowering students to become change agents in their communities and globally.

A "Christian-rooted" college is a higher education institution integrating the Christian faith into its curriculum and community. Note: Colleges founded by a particular religion (Christian-rooted) may not be as faith-immersed as traditional Christian colleges. These colleges provide a unique learning environment that focuses on values such as integrity, respect, and service while emphasizing academic excellence. Benefits of attending a Christian-rooted college include:

Exposure to diverse religious perspectives
An emphasis on moral formation through coursework and extracurricular activities
Support for spiritual growth

Attendees of a Christian-rooted college are exposed to diverse religious perspectives and benefit from an emphasis on moral formation in coursework and extracurricular activities. These schools also provide a supportive environment for spiritual growth through weekly optional church services, bible studies, and mission trips. Additionally, students can engage in meaningful conversations about faith with faculty members, coaches, and peers.

There are several high academic Christian-rooted colleges around the United States. Centenary College of Louisiana is one example known for its commitment to an education rooted in Methodist values and social responsibility. Centenary offers students a rigorous curriculum integrating faith with academics, innovative programs collaborating with partner institutions, and a wide range of support services. Centenary's TREK program encourages global engagement opportunities through numerous study-abroad trips (Centenary in Paris and May modules) and academic requirements dedicated to community service. Other examples include Pepperdine University (Church of Christ, CA), Calvin College (Christian Reformed Church, MI), Baylor University (Baptist Church, TX), and Liberty University (Non-Denominational, VA). These universities offer unique learning environments emphasizing moral integrity, respect for all people, and service to others while providing top-notch degree programs in medicine, business administration, theology/religion studies, engineering sciences, and more.

College athletic programs should focus on character development and give students the opportunity (if they choose) to be spiritual leaders ensuring a holistic athletic experience. This helps equip them with the skills necessary for future success. Programs such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) focus on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel (FCA.org). Ultimately FCA helps create an environment where student-athletes can become civic leaders by using their gifts and talents in sport-related activities and spiritual outreach.

Lastly, additional scholarships and grants may be available that public universities do not offer. These are often scholarships directed towards those dedicated to ministry or service, such as the Torch Bearer Scholarship, awarded to outstanding students who demonstrate a passion for the church's mission. Other awards include The Providential Scholarship given by The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), which recognizes students of great character, integrity, and spiritual maturity, and the CCCU Tuition Exchange Program, which allows students from certain CCCU schools to attend another member institution at no cost (or reduced tuition rate).

Christian-rooted colleges provide a holistic education for student-athletes by offering character development programs and spiritual leadership opportunities. These schools also offer additional scholarships and grants that are tailored to the needs of students, including tuition exchange programs, need-based loans from private lenders, faith-based scholarships from The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), and assistance from churches and ministries in the form of tuition reimbursement programs. Furthermore, some agencies may even provide special funds explicitly earmarked for international students to help them attend Christian-rooted colleges overseas while receiving mentoring services during their studies abroad. Ultimately there are various resources available to make regarding a Christian-rooted college more accessible financially.