By Carl Stagner

A summertime stroll across the campus of one of our four Church of God universities can sometimes feel a bit eerie. Especially in the immediate days following spring commencement, the sudden absence of students and lack of activity just doesn’t seem right. While most students were, in fact, away from their classrooms and dorms for a few months, not many days were all that quiet on campus. Not only did Anderson University, Mid-America Christian University, Warner Pacific University, and Warner University host camps, conferences, and a variety of other activities to the public and/or specific groups, but also campus organizers, administration, coaches, professors, and others were busy ushering in upgrades, adding and refining programming, and generally preparing for another successful semester as summer comes to a close.

Not only did President John Pistole announce that the new schoolyear would be his last as president of Anderson University, but he also presided over a period of exciting events and updates. For instance, AU was recently awarded the Independent Colleges of Indiana Belonging Grant, worth $1,000. Anderson University plans to use the grant to fund two college campus community conversation sessions focused on fostering a sense of belonging among faculty, staff, and students. AU also announced its new Direct Admission Initiative, innovative program crafted to address the uncertainties of the admission process and provide a straightforward path for high school students in Indiana’s Madison County. The university also released the news of welcoming back Nathan Manley, a year 2000 alum, as their new men and women’s swimming and diving head coach.

Classes began the latter half of the second full week of August at Mid-American Christian University. Though the start may have seemed early for some seasoned students, there was much to celebrate. Not only did MACU unveil a new mission-centered athletics logo, but also they rejoiced over increased enrollment. In a recent post on social media, the school beamed, “Ready or not, here we grow! Classes officially start tomorrow for a record-breaking number of students! Our campus has been full of excitement this week as we have welcomed our students home!” Earlier in the summer, the campus was busy making property improvements, welcoming local pastors to the campus for a pastor-appreciation luncheon, hosting Petra in concert, and offering hospitality during the second-of-three Church of God Regionals at Crossings Community Church. Throughout the summer, MACU acknowledged the continual mission work carried out by students on summer break in places all over the world.

New gym floor at Warner Pacific!

Campus upgrades and property improvements at Warner Pacific University weren’t by any means superficial or separated from mission and vision. In fact, the strategic plan titled “A Vision with Purpose” is outlined on the newly overhauled website for the Portland institution of the Church of God, adding credibility to the work accomplished and yet to accomplish. In yet another step to affirm its affiliation to the Church of God movement, the school had also announced automatic admission for students in Church of God families. Things are moving forward fast at WPU, and the palpable excitement is certainly overflowing from what’s going on behind the scenes to the hallways and classrooms of the West-Coast Church of God fixture.

Another school bearing the name of the Church of God movement’s prominent early leader came had the same idea about its outward-facing presence—that is, their website. Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida, is gearing up for a website redesign due to drop at the end of August. It’s not all about image, though; the changes and transformations happening on campus are substantive. While the announcement of President David Hoag’s new opportunity was certainly bittersweet, the upcoming opportunities the Lord has set before the school are nothing less than remarkable. From soccer clinics to camps and conferences, WU was definitely busy between semesters this year, but the news coming from campus is especially encouraging. “We are thrilled to announce that Warner University has been honored with the prestigious Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award for the 2023-2024 academic year!” the school announced, among other news items. “The NAIA evaluates schools through the Champions of Character core report each year, measuring their commitment to character-driven athletics. Institutions scoring at least 60 out of 100 points are awarded the Champions of Character Five-Star Institution Award. We are incredibly proud to have achieved a perfect score of 100 points, earning us the gold-level distinction and placing us among the 209 NAIA institutions honored with this esteemed recognition this year.” As Reverend Dr. G. Craig Williford prepares to serve as interim president this year, the revealing of new professors and staff, new athletic coaches, new partnerships, and new possibilities keep students and staff wondering how the Lord will bless the school next.

Welcome back, Church of God students, faculty, staff, and administration! We’re praying for you!

Learn more about the Church of God movement, and find links to each school and their recent news publications, at www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.

Feature (top) photo: Athletes return early to Warner University for the fall semester.