This past year has been one of reimagining Kingswood University, rethinking our methods so we can continue to carry out our mission well into the 21st century.
We’ve been identifying what the church needs, assessing our strengths, and then reallocating resources to align our strengths with those needs. This has meant some challenges, including eliminating several full-time positions and creating several more part-time roles.
All our current programs will continue but with a greater emphasis on experiential learning taught by current ministry practitioners. Worship leaders, Marc Joliceur and Jay Muir, will guide our Worship Arts program. Dr. Merrill Greene, a missionary to a local first nation community, will direct Intercultural Studies.
Our youth and children’s programs will be offered as NexGen Ministries and led by Jeremy McDonald, former youth pastor and now Director of Operations for Youth Worker, a national organization empowering youth leaders. Our Praxis program will enter a new era under the direction of Professor Shaun Miller.
We are expanding our offerings to include Professional Development Certificates, starting with our Christian School Education certificate this fall. This online program allows those working in a Christian school to learn the latest pedagogy from a Christian perspective.
Three new programs are in development for Fall 2024:
- BA in Business Management where students will receive an excellent education in business but from a Christ-centered, ministry mindset;
- Post-graduate certificate in Christian Counselling, designed to equip pastors and lay ministers; and
- MA in Clinical and Mental Health Counselling, geared toward preparation for licensure. Graduates of our BA in Christian Counselling qualify for advanced standing.
We’re becoming more intentional about our spiritual formation practices, including the implementation of cohort-based mentoring with staff, adding a student-led chapel service, and creating a weekly apprenticeship program. By becoming more intentional in our programming, we hope to see our students increasingly experience God’s sanctifying power.
Our most imaginative rethinking is taking shape as Kingswood Learn, an online learning platform that will host high quality, well-vetted micro-courses to help people grow in their faith and in their capacity to minister in their church and in the marketplace as the church. To eliminate barriers, these courses are being made available for free.
Reimagining hasn’t been easy, but it has been necessary. Kingswood University is now better able to carry out its mission of preparing Christ-like servant leaders to strengthen the 21st-century church. We’re excited to see how God will use this reimagined Kingswood for decades to come.