December 2011

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Letter from the
President
Delivering Good News
December 2011 Dear friend of CIU, bout 2,000 years ago, an angel visited some shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night and proclaimed to them Good News.
Dr. Bill Jones
Undergraduate Graduate School Seminary & School of Ministry Ben Lippen School 89.7 WMHK New Life 91.9 7435 Monticello Road P.O. Box 3122 Columbia, SC 29230-3122 803.754.4100 800.777.2227 803.786.4209 Fax www.ciu.edu
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…” (Luke 2:10-11) Not long after finding the Savior in Bethlehem, these same shepherds themselves proclaimed the Good News. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:17-18) That day the shepherds likely delivered their message on foot. These days, the modes of communication for proclaiming the Good News increases exponentially year by year. For Columbia International University, the latest communication technologies also open up a vast array of ways to train others to take that same Good News to “all the people.” We have already been using these technologies for online courses and have the authorization to offer up to 49 percent of any degree online. So, you can understand our excitement when we recently received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to offer up to 100 percent of three master’s degrees and an undergraduate Bible certificate online. The master’s degrees are the M.A. (Muslim Studies) and the M.A. (Intercultural Studies) as well as the Master of Education degree.
over, please
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For Columbia International University, the latest communication technologies also open up a vast array of ways to train others to take that same Good News to “all the people.”
Imagine the possibilities. This means that people around the world can now heed God's call to further their education with a master’s degree from CIU while remaining in their current ministry or occupation. One of those people may be you. Through the Master of Arts (Muslim Studies) those taking the Good News to some of the most hard to reach places on earth prepare to research, analyze and then engage Muslims in culturally appropriate ways. Meanwhile, a Master of Arts (Intercultural Studies) contributes to the ministry of those engaged in work among a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. The online Master of Education degree offers two concentrations: Educational Administration or Curriculum and Instruction. Christian school educators both in the United States and around the world can now prepare for leadership roles in their field without leaving their schools or taking a leave of absence. At Columbia International University, we purpose to educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. We seize on every means of communication to fulfill that purpose, training those with the Good News message until everyone hears what the shepherds, “made known.” Please join me in prayer that these new online venues further the fame of Christ throughout the earth. As 2011 draws to a close, my personal thanks to each of you who support this ministry through your prayers and financial support. The partnership we share prepares those taking the Good News to others through ministry, missions and the marketplace. Or to put it another way — together we prepare professional ministers and ministering professionals. May you have a blessed Christmas focused on the One whom the shepherds proclaimed. Yours for His glory,
Bill Jones President
Undergraduate • Graduate School • Seminary & School of Ministry • Ben Lippen School • 89.7 WMHK • New Life 91.9 7435 Monticello Road • P.O. Box 3122 • Columbia, SC 29230-3122 • 803.754.4100 • 800.777.2227 • 803.786.4209 Fax • www.ciu.edu