If you are looking for mission-minded schools with degrees that prepare you for the field, you are in luck because there are a variety of options available to you.
What is a missionary college degree? A missionary college degree is a degree that will prepare you well for being on the mission field. For most Christian colleges this looks like a degree in Intercultural Ministry. Students can also get other supporting degrees, minors, or emphases in other subject areas to support the work they do overseas such as business, education, or nursing.
Each of these degrees is valuable in its own way, and can help you to develop essential skills for the missions field, along with some that will provide great opportunities for ministry and access to restricted countries.
Bible & Theology Degree
Some type of degree in Bible in Theology would be a very valuable degree to have as a missionary because it would equip you with a deep understanding of the message you are trying to communicate.
It is vital that you have a strong, grounded understanding of the Word of God before you enter the field so that you can be sure you are teaching the truth, not a distortion. Not that you won’t make mistakes, but that they would be mistakes and not ignorance.
Most, if not all Christian colleges have some sort of degree in Bible and Theology. However, you may want to consider also the opportunities there for involvement in some form of intercultural ministry study as well, since that is the ultimate goal.
Here are some colleges that give you opportunities to practice missions in some form combined with your Bible and Theology degree.
- Appalachian Bible College offers a dual-major in Bible/Theology and Missions intended to help develop a solid foundation in the Word of God and then the skills to apply it to missions. After three years of study, you will have the opportunity to do a 4-8 week internship abroad to hone in and apply these skills. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Bible College.
- Bethany Global University offers three dual-major programs, each featuring Bible and Theology and then offering either Intercultural Ministry, Education in Missions, or Transformational Entrepreneurship. Each also requires a 16-month internship abroad putting into practice what you learn in the first two years over an extended period of time. This method is designed to give you a solid foundation in the Word of God while also giving you as much time as possible on the field putting that knowledge into practice. Click here to learn more about Bethany Global University.
These schools are specifically designed with a dual-major program that will help students attain a solid foundation before entering the mission field. There are many other schools that have a degree in Bible and Theology, however, these are the most missions focused.
Intercultural Ministry Degree
After the Bible and Theology degree, Intercultural Ministry is the next most valuable, if not as valuable degree you can get to equip you for missions.
If a Bible and Theology degree teaches you the message, then an Intercultural Ministry degree teaches how to approach communicating that message.
Intercultural Ministry degrees are designed to help you communicate across cultures, recognizing that you may have to present the message differently for different cultures in order to make sense.
These courses should teach you how to properly contextualize the message for your particular audience.
Without proper contextualization, it will be very difficult to disciple strong followers with Jesus.
These colleges each offer degrees in intercultural ministry that would be beneficial for the missions field.
- Appalachian Bible College offers a dual-major in Bible/Theology and Missions intended to give you a well-rounded knowledge of the Bible and Missions. Within the Missions major you can choose an emphasis in one of five categories, Biblical Languages, Foreign Language, International Studies, Nursing, and Teaching English to Spread the Gospel. After three years of study, you will have the opportunity to do a 4-8 week internship abroad to hone in and apply these skills. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Bible College.
- Bethany Global University offers a dual-major in Bible and Theology and Intercultural Ministry Studies that will help you prepare for the field by gaining a firm base in the Word of God and then also incorporating how to communicate that message cross-culturally. This requires a 16-month internship abroad putting into practice what you learn in the first two years over an extended period of time. One of the huge benefits of this method is the fact that you will spend almost a year and a half in another culture. This results in more growth in language and culture learning, and ministry opportunities all on a deeper level than what can be experienced in a few months. Click here to learn more about Bethany Global University.
- Harding University offers a B.A. and a minor in Bible and Missions, specifically designed to prepare students who want to impact the globe with the gospel. This program offers several study abroad opportunities on one of their international campuses in locations like Australia, London, England, Florence, Italy, Vina del Mar, Chile, Kaloma, and Zambia. Their degree will give you the training you need to have a firm foundation in the Word of God but also in cross-cultural ministry. Click here to learn more about Harding University.
- Some other colleges that offer a comparable degree include Dallas Baptist University, Eastern University, George Fox University, Grand Canyon University, Houghton College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Malone University, Messiah College, Moody Bible Institute’s, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, North Central University, Northwest University, Nyack College, Oklahoma Christian University, Prairie Bible College, Master’s University, and Waynesburg University.
This is definitely a good degree to consider if you are looking to go into missions after college. It will grow your foundation and prepare you for success in raising up the kingdom of God.
Education Degree
While Bible and Theology and Intercultural Ministry degrees are the primary degrees that would likely be most helpful in missions, it can also be helpful to have a degree that gives you a particular skill, an avenue of ministry. Education is a valuable example of this.
By getting a degree in education, you will be qualified to teach overseas. This is a great opportunity for ministry and may also help you get into countries that would normally be restricted access for Christians.
Through this you would have the opportunity to connect with children and their families, teaching them the good news.
The following colleges each offer some form of education course in the context of missions and may be very helpful in your journey towards the field.
- Bethany Global University offers a dual-major in Bible and Theology and Education in Missions that will help you prepare for the field by gaining a firm base in the Word of God and then also teaching children practical skills through the Bible. This requires a 16-month internship abroad putting into practice what you learn in the first two years over an extended period of time. One of the benefits of this program is that students will get hands-on experience working in the on-campus Montessori school as they learn these skills before they take them overseas. Click here to learn more about Bethany Global University.
- Southwest Baptist University’s intercultural studies program is designed to be paired with another major or a minor in the field of your choice. In this way, you will have a marketable skill that you can take with you for ministry or as a means of entering restricted access countries. Education is one of these opportunities. By getting your major or minor in education through this school you will not only be prepared to interact cross-culturally, but you will have something specific to offer those people as well. In addition, you will do at least one semester abroad to help develop these skills in a cross-cultural environment. Click here to learn more about Southwest Baptist University.
- Toccoa Falls College offers a degree in Cross-Cultural Adult Education, which would be helpful to those desiring to help adults in education in a variety of areas. This program is often paired with a variety of minors that would give this degree even more depth. These include minors such as Church Planting and Enlargement, Cross-Cultural Bible Teaching and Counseling, Cross-Cultural TESOL, Discipleship, Sustainable Development, and World Religion. The goal here is that you would be able to teach, lead, and develop cross-cultural adult education programs as a form of ministry wherever you go. Click here to learn more about Toccoa Fans College.
Each of these schools is geared towards helping you prepare for teaching in cross cultural contexts. You may also consider pairing this with another major or minor in Bible and Theology to make it even more valuable as well.
Business Degree
As I stated before, Bible and Theology and Intercultural Ministry degrees are the primary degrees that would likely be most helpful in missions, a degree that gives you a particular skill, an avenue of ministry, is also valuable. Business is another great opportunity for that.
Similar to education, a degree in business can help give you an avenue of ministry, especially in restricted access countries.
By getting this degree you will be prepared to work in business overseas or perhaps open your own as a form of ministry to that community.
There are several schools that offer business in a missions context that may be a good option for you if this is where you feel God is calling you.
- Bethany Global University offers a dual-major in Bible and Theology and Transformational Entrepreneurship which gives the opportunity to grow in understanding of the Word of God while also educating you in core business principles. You will have the opportunity to create various business models and financial plans that will help prepare you for the day when it’s time to make those things a reality. This requires a 16-month internship abroad putting into practice what you learn in the first two years over an extended period of time. Click here to learn more about Bethany Global University.
- Southwest Baptist University’s intercultural studies program is designed to be paired with another major or a minor in the field of your choice, allowing you to have a marketable skill that you can take with you for ministry or as a means of entering restricted access countries. One of these opportunities is through Business. By getting your major or minor in Business through this school you will be prepared to interact cross-culturally, understand cross-cultural business, and have an effective platform for ministry. In addition, you will do at least one semester abroad to help develop these skills in a cross-cultural environment. Click here to learn more about Southwest Baptist University.
- Toccoa Falls College offers a degree in cross-cultural Business Administration, which would be helpful to those desiring to help adults in education in a variety of areas. This program is often paired with a variety of minors that would enhance the major and make it more valuable. They would create complementary skills. These include minors such as Church Planting and Enlargement, Cross-Cultural Bible Teaching and Counseling, Cross-Cultural TESOL, Discipleship, Sustainable Development, and World Religion. The goal here is that you would be able to grow a business overseas and use that as an avenue for ministry, especially in restricted-access countries. Click here to learn more about Toccoa Fans College.
You may also want to look at programs available at Messiah College, or Nyack College. They also have a variety of business opportunities.
Language Degree
One of the most difficult aspects of cross-cultural missions initially is the language barrier, making language learning a valuable skill. Language degrees in the context of missions come in several flavors.
The two most prominent language based degrees pertaining to missions would be Teaching English in a Foreign Language (TEFL) and a Bible Translation degree.
Each of these would be a great resource for missionaries and TEFL has the potential to gain you access into restricted-access countries.
Some also offer classes in a specific language which may also be helpful depending on the country you feel called to ministry in.
There are several colleges that have one or both of these as potential options.
- Appalachian Bible College offers a dual-major in Bible/Theology and Missions with several options for language emphasis in the Missions major. These include Biblical Languages, Foreign Language, and Teaching English to Spread the Gospel. Biblical languages will help you learn how to translate the Bible into one of the many languages that still don’t have their own Bible. Foreign language is an opportunity for those planning on doing ministry in a Spanish speaking country to develop their Spanish skills. And finally, Teaching English to Spread the Gospel will help you learn to do exactly that, teach English, and spread the gospel. After three years of study, you will have the opportunity to do a 4-8 week internship abroad to hone in and apply these skills. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Bible College.
- Messiah College offers a variety of degrees that would be helpful to becoming a missionary, particularly when it comes to language. While they don’t have any majors that link specifically to this subject area, they do have a good selection of minors that may be helpful to you including Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Chinese Business, and Chinese Studies. Anyone of these could be helpful to you, and when paired with a major in Christian ministry, for example, you would walk away with some valuable skills to bring to the field. Click here to learn more about Messiah College.
- Southwest Baptist University’s intercultural studies program is designed to be paired with another major or a minor in the field of your choice. Doing this will give you a marketable skill that you can take with you for ministry or get into restricted-access countries. One possibility would be a degree in English Education. This would open the door to teaching English in other countries, a valuable skill in many places, and open that door for ministry. In addition, you will do at least one semester abroad to help develop these skills in a cross-cultural environment. Click here to learn more about Southwest Baptist University.
You may also be interested in checking out Prairie Bible College which has some more opportunities in this direction.
Medical Degree
One final degree option that would be useful on the field is a form of medical degree. Many of the most unreached countries are also severely impoverished and don’t have good medical practices set up.
Having medical experience would create a lot of ministry opportunities in those communities, especially when paired with one of the other core degrees.
By being able to help someone’s physical need you also have the opportunity to build relationships and address their spiritual need as well.
The following colleges have opportunities to pursue medical degrees in the context of missions that will equip you for the work ahead on the field.
- Appalachian Bible College offers a dual-major in Bible/Theology and Missions with an emphasis on Nursing. In this program, you spend the first two years on campus earning your degree and then attend a separate nursing school. After three years of study, you will have the opportunity to do a 4-8 week internship abroad to hone in and apply these skills. This process will give you the tools you need to begin your journey as a medical missionary. Click here to learn more about Appalachian Bible College.
- Harding University offers a B.A. and a minor in Bible and Missions, however, they also offer a minor in Medical Missions. This minor, paired with another major, perhaps their B.A. in Bible and Missions, would expose you to a lot of valuable resources that would help you in your journey to meeting the medical needs of unreached peoples around the world. Click here to learn more about Harding University.
- Southwest Baptist University’s intercultural studies program is designed to be paired with another major or a minor in the field of your choice. Some form of medical degree (there are several available) would be a great option available to you. By getting this kind of degree you would be prepared for both cross-cultural missions and have a skill that you could use in ministry. In addition, you will do at least one semester abroad to help develop these skills in a cross-cultural environment. Click here to learn more about Southwest Baptist University.
Each one of these programs is valuable in its own way. However, be sure to prayer over this decision. God can and will use you if you let him, so be attentive to his voice to hear where He wants you to go, and then go.