1989-1990 Academic Catalog

18 Student Life Christian Ministries Every student is encouraged to participate in some area of Christian ministry for at least two of the four years of the college program. This experience provides a vital means of achieving the stated objectives of the College. Located in the offices outside the chapel auditorium, the Christian min– istries department provides opportunities for practical application of knowl– edge gained in the chapel and classroom. Directed by the vice president for Christian Ministries and coordinated by seven full-time staff members, this department offers one of the largest ministry programs of any Christian college in the country. Students volunteer for any one of eighty-eight dif– ferent ministries. Their impact is extensive: gospel teams minister in over 400 churches each year, extension teams have on-going weekly ministries in over 30 area churches, compassion teams reach out locally through nearly sixty social ministries, and Missionary Internship Service teams share the gospel on every continent in the world. The vice president for Christian ministries is responsible for the assign– ment of students who register for Christian service work and is available for pastoral counseling. He and his staff coordinate Sunday services and prayer meetings on campus, traveling teams and all outreach ministries. Records are kept of all Christian ministries activities, and a permanent file is maintained for each student. Missionary Internship Service MIS provides unique opportunities for students to experience missions first-hand. Each year, particularly in the summer, nearly 100 students share the gospel around the globe through team and individual ministries. This involvement in missions aids missionaries in their work and helps students discern God's direction in their own lives concerning career missionary service. Participants are expected to raise their own financial and prayer support and report on their ministries. Some students choose to earn aca– demic credit for the experience. Details of the program are available from the Christian ministries office. Countries in which MIS teams have served include Australia, Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Israel, the Ivory Coast, China, Jamaica, the Philippines, England, New Zealand, Germany and South Africa. · New Student Orientation Immediately prior to the beginning of each quatter new students pa1tici– pate in an orientation program designed to facilitate adjustments to their new surroundings and provide an opportunity for course selection and program planning with the assistance of an assigned faculty advisor. The fall program includes an orientation program for parents. Special interest sessions, question and answer times, small group meetings, and social activities allow students and parents to meet friends while addressing the needs found in the new surroundings. During this period several appraisal instruments are administered to new students. Fall orientation programs for freshmen including sessions on time management, study skills, and test-taking extend into the first quarter. One ofthe seve11f11ll-ti111e Christian ministries stajj'members, Kirk Keller directs the Master's Puppets as well as the "compassion ministries."