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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (March 2, 2018)—Milligan College is launching a new undergraduate ministry leadership program in Fall 2018 to prepare a new generation of experienced leaders to serve the church.
The announcement was made Thursday at First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, who has given $1 million to launch the program, the single largest gift Milligan has received from a congregation and among the largest gifts the college has ever received.
According to Dr. Phil Kenneson, associate dean of Milligan’s School of Bible and Ministry and one of several visionaries leading the program, this comprehensive ministerial formation experience is unique in that it builds upon the college’s existing academic strengths in Bible and ministry but adds new focus on gaining additional practical ministry experience. Students will take classes from church leaders from around the country, visit innovative ministries in the field, and be mentored by current church practitioners over the course of their entire college experience.
“The world needs church leaders who have been formed well both in the classroom and through practical ministry experience over the course of their entire college career,” said Kenneson. “We believe this program will help students forge not only a stronger sense of comradery, but also stir in them a new energy and passion for ministry.”
The program will help students focus on specific interests and calling in one of several majors, including congregational leadership, student ministry, children’s ministry, worship leadership and intercultural studies (missions).
The program is being supported by advisors from various churches, including Ethan Magness, senior minister at First Christian, Johnson City, Tennessee; Ben Cachiaras, senior pastor, Mountain Christian Church, Baltimore, Maryland; Rick Rusaw, senior minister, LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado; Brian Jobe, senior pastor, Compass Christian Church, Chandler, Arizona; and Tom Jones, executive director at Stadia, a church planting organization.
Students interested in enrolling in the ministry leadership program for Fall 2018 may be eligible for additional financial aid.
In addition, students can save both time and money in the ministry leadership program by completing both their bachelor’s and Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan in only six years.
Learn more at admission-new.milligan.edu/ministry-leadership, or call 423.461.8730.