Since its founding in 1953, Mid-America Christian University has been committed to preparing students for future church leadership. In turn, congregations have partnered with the University by sending students to campus, supporting student scholarship programs, and by sending contributions for the general operations of the school. Here are several ways we can work together by equipping students to impact their world for Christ:
The Ministry Advancement Program represents a partnership between MACU and those who share the burden for preparing needed Christian leaders to serve in local Church of God reformation movement congregations. Over this past decade, the Church of God has witnessed a generation of leaders reaching retirement age. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find pastors for congregations with many churches going a year or more before calling their next pastor.
How are funds used?
When you give to the Ministry Advancement Program, you are helping to prepare leaders for church service. MAP funds are distributed in two distinct ways. Primarily, MAP funds provide scholarship assistance to ministry majors in exchange for their service in the Church of God.
While the Ministry Advancement Program primarily furnishes scholarships for students, some funds go to assisting the expansion of leadership training in the local church, as well as supplying funds in hiring faculty for the School of Ministry. For example, MACU has been training through seminars approximately 10,000 pastors and lay-ministers throughout the Americas. Seminars in how to organize one's ministry, how to carry out congregational administration, how to incorporate evangelism and discipleship strategies, as well as many other topics are covered by various seminars.
Who is eligible for MAP Scholarship funding?
All Church of God ministry students are eligible for scholarships after their first semester. This includes all on-campus students, as well as students taking their ministerial coursework over the Internet. Those majoring in Bible and Theology, Specialized Ministries, and Music & Worship qualify.
Ministerial students can qualify for MAP scholarships beginning in their second semester of the freshman year. Recipients of these scholarships are expected to serve in a Church of God congregation(s) in exchange for this financial support. For example, MAP students are expected to give two years of service to the Church of God. This may be done by completing ministerial staff internships.
Vision2Grow (V2G) is a way for congregations to partner with the university in encouraging students to afford a Christian education. This partnership is based upon a congregation giving 2% of the church's General Budget to Mid-America Christian University (MACU). In turn, Mid-America Christian University commits to awarding $1,500/semester in scholarships to any student enrolling from your congregation. There is no limit to the number of students that may enroll in MACU from your congregation.
This program remains viable and has even grown because congregations remain committed to being V2G congregations even in years they do not have students attending. Likewise, the Office for University Advancement is committed to raising additional scholarship dollars to fully fund V2G students. That is why MACU and congregations have a partnership or what we call a V2G covenant. Together we can raise the funds that will enable our students to receive a Christian education that will be used by these students to impact their world for Christ. Vision2Grow Covenant Form.
To discuss how your congregation can become a V2G congregation contact the Executive Director of Church Relations.
Churches often wish to help students from their congregations to attend MACU. MACU matches up to $500 per semester for a total of $1,000 in a calendar year. In other words, if a church will inform the Office for University Advancement that it wishes to give a matching gift of $500 for student "John Smith" then the university will match that gift with a $500 scholarship. Now John Smith receives $1,000 toward his college expenses.
When sending the church's contribution, make check payable to "MACU Church Match Program." For more information, contact the Executive Director of Church Relations.
Download the Church Match Form
MACU students often seek ways of applying learning and faith in real life settings such as a local church, agency, or business. Other groups of students seek to provide leadership in summer camps and youth conference. These scholarships encourage students to pursue a summer of service while providing scholarship dollars that will assist them when returning for fall classes.
To become a sponsor of a summer intern or team of students contact the Executive Director of Church Relations.
