Grace College & Seminary Akron, Ohio, welcomed a record-breaking total of 67 students to its programs this fall. The seminary, in its inaugural year in Ohio, welcomed 11 students this year who are pursuing an M.A. in Local Church Ministry. The undergraduate program in biblical studies grew 17% from last year and has seen steady growth since it began in 2017.
“Our vision is to fully train and equip individuals for vocational ministry. Students can go from high school all the way through their master’s degree and be mentored academically, discipled for hands-on ministry and ready to do the work when they leave our program,” said Dr. Tim Ziebarth, dean of the School of Professional and Online Education at Grace College.
Grace College Akron allows students to receive a fully accredited education with an emphasis on hands-on church ministry.
The biblical studies program prepares students to be servant-leaders both in church and society. Classes focus on the Old and New Testaments, theology, church history, intercultural studies, preaching, spiritual formation and apologetics.
The 48 credit-hour M.A. in Local Church Ministry degree focuses on theology, cultural aptitude, pastoral ministry skills and leading effectively in the local church.
“If you are looking to pursue full-time ministry, Grace Akron is an ideal option for you,” said Pam Bucha, Grace College Akron site coordinator. “Because of our affordable tuition, many of our students are able to get through school with little to no debt. This is huge for our students — they can jump right into ministry without being stifled by financial burden,” she said.
A freshman student at Akron, Chloe Putrich, mentioned that the affordability of the program was a huge factor in her decision. “Looking for colleges is possibly one of the most stressful experiences young adults face, especially when considering the expense of Christian colleges for those pursuing ministry. But Grace College Akron became God’s answer for me,” she said. “At Grace Akron, you get an incredible relational, educational and biblical foundation at an extremely affordable cost. I am only a month in, and I would already recommend this program to anyone looking for a biblical education,” she said.
Grace Akron is test-optional and is accepting applications for the 2022 spring and fall semester.
To apply to Grace College & Seminary Akron or to obtain more information, visit www.grace.edu/academics/grace-college-seminary-akron-programs/.