| Spring is the time of year when many high school | | | | more likely, skeptical of the Christian teaching of their |
| seniors are either rushing to complete college | | | | youth. |
| applications or waiting to hear from their college or | | | | Henderson also emphasizes early in his article, “I |
| colleges of choice, living in hope that the financial aid | | | | neither mean to imply that Christian colleges are |
| award will be sufficient, and moving into the final | | | | perfect places with perfect people, nor that Christian |
| phase of the serious deliberation that leads to | | | | students can never emerge from secular schools |
| choosing a college. | | | | with strong Christian faith still intact. Neither |
| Every part of the college search process is | | | | statement is true. What I do know, however, is that |
| important, and all the information gathered is useful | | | | immersion in a Christ-centered residential, educational |
| to gain the fullest understanding about which college | | | | community is an incredible opportunity for Christian |
| fits best with a prospective student’s interests | | | | young men and women who want to learn and grow |
| and plans. Understandably, those students and their | | | | spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, etc.” |
| parents want to know about the rigor of academic | | | | Christian high school students, as well as those who |
| programs, the quality and engagement of faculty, all | | | | know and counsel them, should give serious |
| curricular and extra-curricular options, and the campus | | | | consideration to the benefits of living and learning in |
| community atmosphere. In addition, one area | | | | this kind of college environment. At its best, |
| admissions counselors are increasingly asked about is | | | | education at the collegiate level should begin an |
| “outcomes.” How does a Christian college | | | | honest evaluation and infusion of both faith and |
| prepare a student for life after college? What are the | | | | scholarship. The dual influence of academic discipline |
| benefits of attending and graduating from a Christian | | | | that creates the ability to think critically balanced with |
| College versus the financial cost? | | | | moral and spiritual integrity help prepare Christians to |
| A recent Christianity Today article by Steve | | | | positively impact a global society. |
| Henderson, President of Christian Consulting for | | | | Christian college graduates attend some of the most |
| Colleges and Ministries, Inc., addresses an outcome | | | | prestigious graduate schools in the country and |
| that should be of particular interest to Christian | | | | around the world. They go on to work in inspiring |
| students and parents. In the article, titled “A | | | | careers after graduation. At least one is in Baghdad |
| Question of Price versus Cost,” Henderson | | | | assisting the Constitutional Drafting Committee in Iraq. |
| makes the following points: Because “the college | | | | Others are members of Harvard’s medical school |
| years are one of the most significant times in a | | | | faculty or are practicing medicine. They work for the |
| student’s search for identity…the literature and | | | | top companies or have started successful businesses |
| the research…suggest a strong link between a | | | | of their own. Others have chosen to work to |
| young person’s choice of a college and their | | | | develop sustainable agriculture in developing countries, |
| short-term and long-term commitment to Christian | | | | aid in humanitarian relief and poverty reduction or |
| faith…The results of nearly 25 years of research | | | | serve in the top levels of our country’s |
| consistently reveal that those who do not attend a | | | | government. |
| Christ-centered college will experience a decline in | | | | The academic rigor of the top Christian colleges is |
| religious values, attitudes, and behaviors during | | | | leavened by the incorporation of faith and spiritual |
| college…More than 52 percent of incoming | | | | discipline that will produce the next generation of |
| freshmen who identify themselves as born-again | | | | Christ-lead and inspired servant leaders that our |
| upon entering a public university will either no longer | | | | culture cries for. |
| identify themselves as born-again four years later or, | | | | With those potential outcomes in mind, Christian high |
| even if they do still claim that identification, will not | | | | school students should learn as much as possible |
| have attended any religious service in over a | | | | about the numerous fine Christian colleges and |
| year.” And one final quote from that article, | | | | universities throughout this country. Preliminary |
| “The bottom line is this: if the past is a fair | | | | information is available on the web at college search |
| indication of the future, at least half and possibly | | | | sites such as CCCU.org and Also, sign up for college |
| over two-thirds of our kids will step away from their | | | | mailing lists. College mailing lists are a great resource, |
| faith while attending non-Christian colleges and | | | | as you only need to sign up once to start receiving |
| universities.” | | | | helpful information throughout the year. Also, |
| Based not only on research but also on | | | | remember to schedule time to visit each campus that |
| Henderson’s personal experience with a daughter | | | | seems like a good fit – including an overnight stay |
| who attended a non-Christian college and lost her | | | | in a resident hall. Visiting a college campus in person |
| way spiritually for about a decade, Henderson asks | | | | and sleeping over helps students solidify if a school is |
| parents to consider whether they can afford not to | | | | a good fit by finding out what it’s like to live, as |
| send their child to a Christ-centered college. A college | | | | well as study, there. |
| education is a big-ticket item, no matter what type | | | | The college years are a unique time in life for the |
| of school is chosen. Henderson encourages families to | | | | formation of habits of the heart and mind and |
| look closely at and give due weight to the potentially | | | | relationships that will shape life for years to come. |
| life-long effect of whichever college community is | | | | Students (and their parents) should consider a college |
| chosen – Christian or secular. College years are a | | | | that offers serious academic and personal preparation |
| time of serious examination of personal faith. | | | | for life – along with a framework of people and |
| Students at colleges that aren’t supportive of | | | | programs that nurtures and strengthens Christian |
| Christian faith can become confused, at best, or | | | | understanding and commitment. |