For Ohio Christian University (OCU) Director of Ministry Programs Dr. Wayne Pessia, sports, recreation, and fitness (SR&F) ministry is an important, growing opportunity.
Churches have been building gymnasiums and sports fields at an increasing rate, and the SR&F ministry movement has expanded in activities and events as active Boomers and Xers age, young parents dive deep into children’s sports, and millennials experiment with nontraditional sports and fitness recreation. Significant to note is the increasing demand for sports, recreation, and fitness pastors which is where OCU can help train new or existing pastors called to this new form of outreach discipleship.
Today churches increasingly are attuned to this trend as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission and be faithful to a Gospel-centered ecclesiology. Using SR&F as a ministry tool is significant inside the church and in para-ministry settings. Organizations that began over 50 years ago, like the Fellowship of Athletes and Athletes in Action, thrive and expand.
Athletics and activity-centered ministries are growing outside of the U.S. as well. For example, the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries and Unchartered Waters Sports Ministry are equipping and partnering with churches. Thousands are impacted through their collaboration.
The world speaks the language of sport. Consequently, an SR&F ministry calls for specialized training. Athletic and sports-minded Christ followers called into SR&F ministry need a biblical, theological, and methodological foundation to be effective. OCU’s new academic concentration fulfills this need.
As AVP of AGS Enrollment Nicole Davis explains, “We are pleased to offer students the opportunity to acquire this new SR&F concentration in this expanding ministry field.”
Articles of Interest
Summer Institute to Offer New Online Courses and Certificates
Published: May 5, 2020
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or undergraduate level courses at
a reduced rate.
OCU is also introducing ten new stand-alone certificate programs as part of
the Summer Institute for anyone interested in furthering his or her skills in
an area. Most courses begin June 1, 2020.
Graduate Level Courses for Teachers and Professors
These courses are designed to help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work
towards a graduate degree.
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or undergraduate level courses at
a reduced rate.
OCU is also introducing ten new stand-alone certificate programs as part of
the Summer Institute for anyone interested in furthering his or her skills in
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or
Distance Learning Supports Social Distancing
Published: March 17, 2020
Suddenly the term “social distancing” has invaded our vocabulary and
people are much more aware of their surroundings. They are seeking ways to
maintain some normalcy in their day-to-day lives while keeping a safe
distance from others. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in many
universities shifting onsite classes to distance learning, including Ohio
Christian University.
Thankfully, Ohio Christian is experienced in this area having offered online
classes for over a decade to adults and teens. Students have the option to
enroll in Trailblazer Academy (College Credit Plus), Online-
Suddenly the term “social distancing” has invaded our vocabulary and
people are much more aware of their surroundings. They are seeking ways to
maintain some normalcy in their day-to-day lives while keeping a safe
distance from others. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in many
universities shifting onsite classes to distance learning, including Ohio
Christian University.
Thankfully,
Suddenly the term “social distancing” has invaded our vocabulary and
people are much more aware of their surroundings. They are seeking ways to
maintain some normalcy in their day-to-day lives
Ohio Christian recently named top online college in Ohio
Published: March 13, 2020
Value Colleges recently named Ohio Christian University as one of the top
online colleges in Ohio, awarding Ohio Christian the #2 spot.
According to the Value Colleges article, “The programs featured in Value
Colleges’ Best Online Colleges in Ohio have found the best balance between
affordability, accessibility, and quality.”
Ohio Christian’s Online Program offers over 50 Certificate, Associate,
Bachelor and Master level degree programs in the areas of Business,
Marketing, Data Analytics, Information Technology, Emergency Management,
Human Services, Criminal Justice, Ministry,
Value Colleges recently named Ohio Christian University as one of the top
online colleges in Ohio, awarding Ohio Christian the #2 spot.
According to the Value Colleges article, “The programs featured in Value
Colleges’ Best Online Colleges in Ohio have found the best balance between
affordability, accessibility, and quality.”
Ohio Christian’s Online Program offers over 50 Certificate,
Value Colleges recently named Ohio Christian University as one of the top
online colleges in Ohio, awarding Ohio Christian the #2 spot.
According to the Value Colleges article, “The programs
Ohio Christian: A Leader in Online Education
Published: March 9, 2020
Ohio Christian University is one of the leading Central Ohio universities for
earning an online degree. Columbus CEO magazine recently ranked Ohio
Christian as #4 on their Leaderboard Report for Central Ohio Online Degree
Programs. [1]
The report shows that for fall 2019, Ohio Christian had 932 online
undergraduate and graduate students from the Central Ohio region alone and
2171 total online students. The report also highlights Ohio Christian's
excellent 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and affordable price point.
Explore online degree options or take the next step by submitting our
Ohio Christian University is one of the leading Central Ohio universities for
earning an online degree. Columbus CEO magazine recently ranked Ohio
Christian as #4 on their Leaderboard Report for Central Ohio Online Degree
Programs. [1]
The report shows that for fall 2019, Ohio Christian had 932 online
undergraduate and graduate students from the Central Ohio region alone and
2171 total
Ohio Christian University is one of the leading Central Ohio universities for
earning an online degree. Columbus CEO magazine recently ranked Ohio
Christian as #4 on their Leaderboard Report for
Ohio Christian Works to Enhance Graduates’ Financial Security
Published: December 5, 2019
Over recent years college debt has increased at a growing rate with the
Federal Reserve currently reporting the average amount of college debt to be
$32,731. Of those who owe education debt, 10.3% are reported to be behind on
their payments. The level of debt and negative impact to credit for those who
default is a major burden to student’s financial security after graduation
and their piece of mind.
Ohio Christian University, as a Christian institution, has a goal not only of
education but also to instill principles of biblical stewardship into our
students. Additionally, the
Over recent years college debt has increased at a growing rate with the
Federal Reserve currently reporting the average amount of college debt to be
$32,731. Of those who owe education debt, 10.3% are reported to be behind on
their payments. The level of debt and negative impact to credit for those who
default is a major burden to student’s financial security after graduation
and their piece
Over recent years college debt has increased at a growing rate with the
Federal Reserve currently reporting the average amount of college debt to be
$32,731. Of those who owe education debt, 10.3%
Archived Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian Ranked Among Best Online Logistics Management Programs
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide, OSR uses student
satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers
online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from
that program, how many
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report
Dr. Izzard Serves Georgia
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate professor for the Social Science
Department at the Ohio Christian University Atlanta site, exemplifies this
goal for Christian service to the community. Her newest role as President of
the American Counseling Association of Georgia (ACA of Georgia), will allow
her to serve counselors across the entire state.
Izzard is a licensed counselor and clinical supervisor with a doctorate in
counselor
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate professor for the Social Science
Department at the Ohio Christian University Atlanta site, exemplifies this
goal for Christian service to the community. Her newest role as President of
the American
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate
OCU Improves Retention Through Persistence and Completion Academy
Published: July 18, 2019
Ohio Christian University has participated in the Higher Learning
Commission’s Persistence and Completion Academy for the past two years.
This group of around 20 institutions collaborate on ideas to improve
retention and graduation rates. Through this collaboration, Ohio Christian
has worked on several initiatives for both the Adult
Ohio Christian University has participated in the Higher Learning
Commission’s Persistence and Completion Academy for the past two years.
This group of around 20 institutions collaborate on ideas to improve
retention and graduation rates. Through this collaboration, Ohio Christian
has worked on several initiatives for both the Adult
Ohio Christian University has participated in the Higher Learning
Commission’s Persistence and Completion Academy for the past two years.
This group of around 20 institutions collaborate on ideas
Ohio Christian Offers New Concentrations for Online Business Program
Published: July 18, 2019
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Emergency Management Degree Now Offered Online
Published: June 17, 2019
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
