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BA in Intercultural Studies

LCU’s bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies will prepare you to serve God throughout the world.

When you follow a calling for vocational ministry, it will take you to people who need your compassion and courage—and expertise—whether right down the road or across the globe.

There is a strong spirit of mission at LCU. Our faculty and staff travel and teach around the world, from China to Austria to India. Many of them also work as short-term missionaries in places such a Papua New Guinea, Turkey, Laos, Czech Republic, Columbia, and Thailand. LCU’s professors are ready to share their experience and wisdom with you.

All Intercultural Studies students complete a cross-cultural internship in locations like the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Canada. In addition, students travel each spring to places at home and abroad during the campus-wide Restoration Week. Trips can involve a myriad of ministry opportunities from physical labor to teaching and preaching.

Does God want you to pursue missions at home or abroad? If so, the BA in Intercultural Studies may be the perfect way to prepare for your calling. This degree will enable you to learn any language through a community-based and self-directed strategy, enact effective evangelism for the unreached areas of the world, and engage churches and the culture around you as you live out your mission for Christ.

Potential Careers

Entry-level Intercultural Ministry, both domestic and foreign
Nonprofit work with refugees
Entry-level Church Ministry such as Intercultural Minister, Mobilization Minister, etc.

Course List

CM 201
Foundations of Christian Ministry
A survey of the Biblical, theological, and historical foundations for ministry in the contemporary church for students to identify their calling and philosophy of ministry.
CM 315
Evangelism, Discipleship, and Faith Development
An exploration of how to develop Christlikeness through evangelism, discipleship, and faith development.
CM 411
Christian Leadership
A study of the biblical principles, historical roots, theoretical development and practical expression of the leadership concept in both secular institutions and religious organizations.
CM 417
Church Administration
A study of the principles of church administration, including teamwork, budget, and strategic planning in the local congregation.
CM 420
Pastoral Care
A course on ministry skills and practical expressions of pastoral services such as basic counseling, marriage, funerals, and other ceremonies.
IC 335
Global Cultural Intelligence
A course designed to improve the cultural awareness and intelligence of those ministering in cross-cultural settings. The United States and other nations are increasingly becoming more multicultural. Empathic and skilled “World Christians” are needed to engage this new world.
PR 308 OR CE 306
Homiletics OR Teaching Ministry of the Church
A course providing the theological basis for preaching and the basic techniques necessary for sermon construction and delivery. Prerequisite: LA 113.
OR
This course is an overview of educational ministries for Christian formation, which surveys the various aspects of educational ministry, including its Biblical, theological, psychological, sociological, and philosophical foundations of Christian formation. It also examines the roles of teacher and students, aim of lesson, curriculum development, teaching methods, learning environment, and evaluation of teaching and learning processes.
SF 260 OR WM 383
Christian Spirituality OR Biblical Theology of Worship
An analysis and practice of authentic relationship with God and God’s creation, resulting in greater love for God and neighbor, as well as deeper life-integration.
OR
A systematic study of Biblical worship principles, themes, vocabulary, and events designed to develop a working theology of worship.
IC 251
Biblical and Historical Foundations for Mission
An exploration of God’s working among humankind to bring all nations to salvation, focusing on the Old and New Testaments and the history of the expansion of Christianity. Special attention is given to creating cross-cultural ministry strategies based on Biblical principles and insights from both contemporary and historical missions.
IC 368
Missions in the 21st Century
The 21st century will necessitate greater creativity on the part of God’s people in gaining access to much of the world in order to proclaim the Gospel. Creative missions strategies will more and more be the major workable approaches, especially in unreached areas of the world. This course examines the practical and strategic aspects of modern missions strategies such as “bi-vocational missions” (tentmaking), relief and development, teaching English, marketplace ministries, etc. This course will survey creative, holistic approaches to evangelism, discipleship, and church planting
IC 371
Language and Communication
A course that equips the student with the skill and knowledge to learn another language in the context of relationships and ministry. Based on the assumption that learning to speak languages is more a social than an academic activity, this course provides on-site practice in actual language learning through interaction with a foreign language and mentor. The course will also deal with principles of communication in cross-cultural contexts.
IC 372
Culture and Contextualization
A course that takes the study of cultures and their contexts and applies that to the goal of equipping students with skills to contextualize the good news of Jesus Christ in any culture. Based on the assumption that all cultures are valid vehicles for the Gospel, and yet all cultures need to be redeemed, this course trains future intercultural workers in the practice of critical contextualization.
IC 460
Preparation for Cross-Cultural Ministry
A capstone course designed to deal with practical issues related to the entire life cycle of the missionary. Areas of focus include partnership development, culture shock, team dynamics, overcoming stress, family concerns, personal spiritual life, and re-entry issues. Prerequisites: IC 251, IC 368, IC 371, and IC 372.

Student Testimonials

Hear from students who’ve earned a BA in Intercultural Studies:
  • “LCU strengthened and refined the faith and passion I was raised with and prepared me to walk boldly and obediently anywhere that God calls.”
    — Samantha Holley Doss
  • “Abiding in Christ has strengthened our community of students. We have seen the reality of Jesus’ promise to produce good fruit through those who abide in him.”
    — Austin Gohn
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