Bethany Global University
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| Motto | Living with eternity in view |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, Interdenominational Evangelical Christian |
| Established | 1948 |
| Director | Dan Brokke |
| Students | 135 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
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| Colours | Blue and White |
| Website | http://bcom.org/ |
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Bethany Global University (formally Bethany College of Missions or BCOM)[1] is a private Christian college, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. Its primary focus is on training missionaries and it was founded in 1948.
History
Bethany Fellowship was founded by five families in 1945. They were all members of Bethany Chapel (now known as Bethany Church), which was founded in 1943. These families believed they had entered into a deeper, more passionate relationship with Jesus and were seeking to give all they had to God. After much prayer and discussion, they believed they sensed God leading them to sell their possessions and pool their resources to acquire a common residence where they could live, worship and work together to fulfill their goal. Consequently, in 1945, they sold their homes and combined their belongings to support their newly formed organization, which they called Bethany Fellowship.
As time went on, Bethany began to expand. Soon they had outgrown both the chapel and the house where they all lived. As a result, in April 1946, they purchased a 62.5 acre farm in Bloomington, MN.
Bethany Global University began with 10 students in October 1948. In the early years, graduates of what was then called “Bethany Fellowship Missionary Training Center” served with various sending agencies. In 1963, Bethany Fellowship Missions (now called Bethany International Ministries) was formed. The first developments were in Brazil, and included a Bible school, church planting work, publishing house and seminary. Today Bethany has sent hundreds of missionaries, founded numerous churches, missionary training centers, and trained church leaders in almost 40 countries.
Business ventures have also been Bethany’s primary source of funding through the years. Some early business ventures were wood toys, lefse griddles, pop-up camping trailers and printing. These ventures funded the work of missions and supported the college. Bethany House Publishers (BHP) was formed in 1956 to spread the good news of Christ through publishing and printing Christian books and literature. It was sold in 2003 to Baker Book House. Bethany Press International was created in 1997 as a separate ministry to print books produced by BHP and other publishers.[2]
Programs
The institution offers educational programs with a focus on theology, ministry, and biblical outreach. Programs include:
- Certificate in Bible and Missions
- Associate of Arts in Intercultural Ministry - Two years (4 terms) on campus focused on biblical and theological studies, personal spiritual development and courses in missions and ministry and practical experience through regular outreach and a required 2-week mission experience known as TREK.
- Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies - Four year program composed of two years (4 terms) of study on campus, and 16 months (4 terms) of study overseas through the Global Internship program and a final on campus capstone term.
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies also have the option within the program structure to pursue the following minor concentrations:
- Social Justice
- Business
- Early Childhood Development
- TEFL—Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Also offered are master's degree graduate programs in Intercultural Leadership, Intercultural Studies, and Intercultural Education. All of the master's degree programs are provided entirely online.
Accreditation
Bethany Global University is currently unaccredited. It is seeking accrediation through the Association for Biblical Higher Education. It currently is in candidate status with the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education.[3] It is notable that the institution has not previously been accredited. Other private religious institutions in Minnesota, are generally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ BCOM Website - History page
- ↑ http://www.bcom.org/missions-school/accreditation/
- ↑ https://www.ncahlc.org/About-the-Commission/about-hlc.html
