This major prepares you to become: Assistant pastor, Youth pastor, Church secretary, Song leader, Camp worker, Christian education director, Missionary

Church Ministries   ~   Women's Ministries   ~   Youth Ministries

Do you desire training for the practical running of ministries in the local church? For a well-rounded degree that prepares you to serve in important support roles, the Church Ministries major is an excellent option. Men can prepare to serve as an assistant to a pastor, youth pastor, Christian education director, song leader, or missionary. Women can get all-around experience on how to run children’s or women’s ministries, lead music, do mission work, and perform other tasks often accomplished by the wife of a pastor, evangelist, or missionary. Because some of these positions are not necessarily paid within the local church, students are encouraged to take a minor in a marketable skill, such as business, office technology, or early childhood education.

Benefits of this Program for Women (apologetic for Church Ministry degrees by Colene Price)

Alumni Focus: Gerald McPhillips

Pastor Gerald McPhillips (’91) especially appreciates Maranatha’s emphasis on practical experience in ministry—getting out of the classroom to use the skills learned in the classroom. After earning a degree in business, he worked in the business world and served as youth director at a local church. In 1999, he was convinced of God’s leading for him to become the youth pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Taylorville, Illinois, where he ministered for seven years. Today he is senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Georgetown, Illinois, where he serves with his wife Kathy (Gothup, ’89), his son Jeremy, and his daughter Alyssa.

Department Objectives

1. To equip students with sound Biblical doctrine for vocational ministry.
2. To achieve balance in a student’s education through a combination of church ministries, Biblical studies, and general studies coursework.
3. To expand the learning experience through practical ministry in the local church, student internships, and various other ministries.
4. To develop strong Christian character and a philosophy of life with a heart for Bible-based service.