FAQ for Current Students

Teach-Out Agreement Options by Degree Program

U.S. Department of Education and Illinois Board of Higher Education Information

FAQ for General Public

FROM LCU PRESIDENT SILAS MCCORMICK

In 1944, Lincoln Bible Institute was founded by Earl Hargrove, and the school quickly gained a sterling reputation for preparing men and women for ministry in the local church. Over the course of the next nearly 80 years, Lincoln Christian University—born out of Lincoln Bible Institute—continued that good work while also educating all students, undergraduate and graduate alike, to live out their faith consistently and considerately in the world, regardless of their profession. 

In 1942, two years before LBI’s founding, Ozark Christian College (then called Ozark Bible College) was founded with much the same mission and has, for over 80 years, been deeply faithful in their own kingdom work. As our slightly older sister school, we have enjoyed a long relationship, and the sibling bond between Ozark and Lincoln has never been more meaningful than it is now.      

The last several years have been challenging for higher education and particularly for Christian higher education. We have felt deeply our own share of challenges. Our mission to nurture and equip Christians with a biblical worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world has remained the same, but in February 2022, we announced a radical shift (here) in our programming and educational delivery. These changes have seen some marked success, particularly with our Lincoln Christian Institute initiative. However, we have continued to see a steep decline in enrollment, as well as a partial decline in giving. 

At the end of summer 2023, LCU’s leadership concluded (1) we were not likely to be able to proceed independently as an institution, and (2) we should pursue collaboration with a sister school. This inspired a conversation between the leadership teams of Lincoln Christian University and Ozark Christian College—and eventually, the boards of both schools. The two colleges reached a resolution, described below, and institutional conversations are ongoing with regard to further implications of the resolution.       

Pending approval by our respective accrediting bodies, at the end of the academic year, May 31, 2024: 

• Lincoln Christian Seminary will be acquired by Ozark Christian College.
• Ozark Christian College will retain the name “Lincoln Seminary” to celebrate the legacy of our institution’s contributions to the kingdom.  
• Ozark Christian College will adopt our HLC- and ATS-accredited Master of Divinity degree, as well as our Master of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies and Bible and Theology, and merge our MA in Ministry into their own MA in Christian Ministry. 
• Any current Lincoln Christian University seminary students in the above-named programs who continue at Ozark are guaranteed zero loss—no increase in tuition, no increase in degree requirements—and all degrees have a fully online option.   
• For current LCU students in other programs—our Bachelor of Arts degrees in Christian Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies and our Master of Arts degrees in Counseling, Theology, and Organizational Leadership, or any others: we will help each student find a “home” for your continued education that reflects sound stewardship of the work you’ve already done.  
• Lincoln Christian University will cease academic operations. That is, we will no longer be offering academic credit or degrees. However, some non-academic activities will likely be necessary while we resolve any outstanding debts and assets.   

There is no small amount of grief behind this news, but it is Christian grief of high order—not without hope. We are grateful for the continued ministry of Lincoln Christian Seminary in name and with excellence via a sibling who cares deeply about and for us and our mission. 

There is much to be shared in the days to come, and we are all hurting. We would very much appreciate your grace and patience. We will aim for timely and clear communication that will include, but not be limited to: FAQ documents for students, donors, and alumni; ongoing announcements concerning LCU’s regional presence and its campus; and information related to Ozark’s acquisition of the Seminary.
 
In the meantime, we do want to make a request of you: please help us finish this academic year well—from now through May 31, 2024. A good finish for us means a good start for our sister school who has come alongside us in a time of need and will carry on our work. To put it simply: please continue to give, and please continue to pray. 

At Convocation in August, we continued our long-held tradition of beginning the academic year with the doxological statement that closes out Jude (verses 24 and 25), and it seems fitting to conclude this announcement in the same way: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” 

And to that we, along with you—and all of us with Jude—say, “Amen.”

FROM OCC PRESIDENT MATT PROCTOR

Second Timothy 4 rings with both sadness and hope. After a long and fruitful ministry, Paul—now a death row prisoner—is saying goodbye, “The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” But before he leaves, Paul passes the leadership baton to Timothy, “I give you this charge: preach the Word!” As Joshua followed Moses, as Elisha followed Elijah, so Timothy will carry Paul’s ministry into the next generation. “God buries his workmen,” wrote Charles Wesley, “but carries on his work.” Timothy preached for the next 30 years, and in the midst of sadness, there was hope.

This feels like a 2 Timothy 4 moment. After a long and fruitful ministry, Lincoln Christian University is saying goodbye, and we at Ozark grieve her departure. We know well LCU’s great kingdom impact—the thousands of “Lincoln leaders” sent into the harvest fields—and we give thanks for how well our sister school “fought the good fight.” But before LCU leaves, a baton is passed to OCC. Lincoln began when Earl Hargrove’s famous sermon cast a vision to the Illinois churches, “The preachers are coming!” Since 1942, that same vision has guided Ozark, and as we now adopt Lincoln’s seminary, we carry on that work. The preachers are still coming, and in the midst of sadness, there is hope.

When President McCormick first approached us at OCC, the connections between the two schools were clear: similar missions, similar constituencies, shared HLC accreditation, shared Restoration Movement heritage. The OCC leadership team—President Matt Proctor and Executive Vice Presidents Chad Ragsdale, Damien Spikereit, and Jim Dalrymple—are all Lincoln seminary alumni and former Illinois preachers. At least eleven of our current professors are Lincoln alumni, as well as recently retired stalwarts like Dr. Mark Scott, Dr. Gary Zustiak, Dr. Terry Bowland, and Dr. Woody Wilkinson. These connections, along with OCC’s financial and enrollment health, suggested the conversation might be fruitful. 

When we spoke, President McCormick shared the story of Lincoln’s most recent chapter. In the fall of 2019, among other challenges, they faced an overwhelming $9 million debt. President McCormick and his team went to work, and in February 2022, they announced significant changes to focus the college tightly on ministry preparation and debt elimination. Since then—through the sale of campus property, hard-but-necessary budgeting decisions, and the generous support of their faithful donors—they have slashed the debt to $3.1 million. By the end of the 2023-24 academic year, it should be at $2.6 million. When they cease academic operations May 31, 2024, Lincoln Christian University will work to finish paying the remaining amount, but rather than face academic closure under a massive, all-assets-swallowing debt, the Lincoln leadership has instead preserved something of great value to pass on to future generations.   

Thus, as the conversation continued, both schools—including the respective boards—prayerfully decided to enter into a more formal kingdom partnership, a “passing of the baton.” As LCU President McCormick shared, on June 1, 2024, Lincoln Christian Seminary will transfer to Ozark Christian College, changing its name to Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian College, along with LCU’s $3.8 million student scholarship endowment. 

Such an announcement naturally raises several questions, which I will try to answer below. While the information overlaps with what LCU President McCormick shared, I often tell my students, “Repetition is the key to learning.” At the risk of repetition, I share the following in the hope of clear communication:

What exactly is involved with OCC embedding Lincoln Seminary as part of our college?

• Pending approval from the accrediting bodies—the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)—OCC will offer in fall 2024 some of the Lincoln curriculum: namely, the MA in Ministry, the MA in Biblical Studies, the MA in Bible and Theology, and the Master of Divinity degree. 
• Pending approval, all current LCU students in those programs will be able to continue at Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian College and are automatically accepted. For more information, email our Director of Graduate Studies Chrissy King at king.chrissy@occ.edu.
• For students in the graduate degrees NOT offered by Lincoln Seminary at OCC, LCU is making teach-out arrangements with other educational partners.
• For graduate students that continue with Lincoln Seminary at OCC, we are guaranteeing “no loss”: no raise in tuition and no additional time to complete their degree than at LCU. 
• While we cannot make that guarantee to current LCU undergraduate students, we are working on a transfer agreement for LCU undergrads that guarantees all their LCU credits will transfer to OCC. For more information, email our Admissions Department at admissions@occ.edu.

Where will Lincoln Seminary’s operations live? 

• Through May 31, 2024, Lincoln Christian Seminary will continue to operate in Lincoln, Illinois, and online as part of Lincoln Christian University. Students may still enroll for spring 2024 classes at lincolnchristian.edu. 
• Beginning June 1, 2024, pending accreditors’ approval, Lincoln Seminary will begin operating on OCC’s campus in Joplin, Missouri, as well as online. OCC will not be operating an Illinois campus and, with a few possible exceptions, will not be hiring LCU’s Illinois personnel. 

What are the reasons for Ozark adding a seminary? 

• Last academic year, Ozark added a graduate studies program, beginning with one degree—the MA in Christian Ministry. For those with a secular bachelor’s degree, we wanted to offer graduate level Bible and ministry education, and we had a strong response, as over 80 students enrolled the first year. Over the next six years, as the program grew and more degrees were added, Ozark’s goal was for the graduate studies program to become a full-fledged seminary. 
• “Seminary” is the label most commonly used for an institution offering multiple graduate level Bible and ministry degrees. Like a medical school or law school, a seminary is a specialized, graduate level school that focuses on preparing people for a particular vocation—in this case, ministry. 
• Ozark Christian College remains a single-focus institution, and while our primary business is still teaching undergraduates, a seminary allows us to do at a graduate level what we’ve been doing since 1942—training men and women for Christian service. 
• The addition of Lincoln’s seminary, then, is simply an opportunity to do more quickly what we were already planning to do.

What are the advantages to Ozark embedding Lincoln’s seminary instead of building its own?

• Trust. Since 1952, Lincoln’s seminary has been a trusted name in the Restoration Movement and beyond for graduate level ministry preparation. By adding Lincoln’s seminary, we are connecting with a broad pool of prospective students familiar with and warm toward the Lincoln name.   
• Accreditation. Lincoln’s seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the standard accrediting body for seminaries. OCC’s current graduate studies program—with one master’s degree—is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). As we added more degrees in the future, our plan was to enter the six-year process of pursuing ATS accreditation. By adding Lincoln’s seminary, we anticipate—pending approval—that Lincoln’s ATS accreditation will accompany it. This fast forwards our graduate program significantly, setting us up to serve more students more quickly and make a larger kingdom impact. 
• Endowment. Lincoln has also agreed to send their $3.8 million student scholarship endowment to accompany the seminary. This, of course, gives Ozark a greater opportunity to bless students financially as they prepare for ministry.  
• Students. By adding Lincoln’s seminary, we are also able to immediately serve more students as their current students (in the programs we’ll continue) continue their studies at OCC.

Why is Ozark keeping the Lincoln name on the seminary?

• Honor. We are grateful for Lincoln’s long legacy of kingdom service, and when a seminary becomes part of a larger institution, it is not uncommon to honor this legacy by retaining in some form the name. (When B.H. Carroll Theological Institute merged in February 2023 with East Texas Baptist University, its name was retained at the B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University.) 
• Gratitude. We recognize Lincoln’s significant financial contribution to Ozark’s ongoing graduate studies as they send their $3.8 million endowment to OCC, and it is not uncommon to express gratitude to a benefactor with a school’s name. (Liberty University’s seminary is named the Rawlings School of Divinity to recognize a $12 million gift by the Rawlings family.)
• Connection. Last year alone, almost 250 churches and over 1,000 individuals gave $1.9 million to support the work of Lincoln Christian University. As LCU closes their academic operations, we hope this name might open a door to those donors who want to continue supporting biblical higher education and the work of preparing men and women for ministry.  

What’s next?

• There are still many conversations to come and more decisions to make on the part of both colleges. We both have multiple constituencies—students, employees, alumni, individual donors, supporting churches, accrediting bodies—so the conversations and decisions ahead will take time.
• We both will share information in as clear and timely a manner as possible. Watch Ozark’s website and social media for updates in the coming months.

How can we pray?

• Pray for God’s comfort. Lincoln Christian University has dozens of employees, scores of students, thousands of alumni, and tens of thousands of supporters who will grieve the loss of a beloved and life-changing place. Please ask “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” to minister to them in the midst of their sorrow. (2 Cor 1:3)
• Pray for God’s provision. While OCC is acquiring Lincoln’s seminary, Lincoln Christian University as an organization remains, with a $3.1 million debt. They remain committed to aggressively eliminating this debt, so please pray that “God will richly supply” all their needs. (Phil 4:19)
• Pray for God’s wisdom. As President McCormick shared, conversations remain ongoing about other possibilities between the two schools. Please ask the Lord to give us his guidance and wisdom. (Jam 1:5)
• Pray for God’s strength. OCC’s new Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Michael DeFazio and his team have a big task ahead as they absorb Lincoln’s seminary and prepare to serve Lincoln’s students. Please ask for “Christ’s mighty power” to work within them. (Col 1:29) 

BJ and Mary Leonard both graduated from LCC in 2006 – BJ with a degree in Youth Ministry and Mary with a degree in Bi-Vocational Missions with an emphasis in Urban Ministry.  Mary went on to complete a certificate in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from LCU in 2009 and BJ completed a Master of Divinity from LCU in 2010. BJ also completed a certificate in Urban Youth Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011 and a Doctor of Ministry in Global Missions from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2022.

BJ and Mary have been married 16 years. They have four children: Hannah (11), twins Lydia and Mia (9), and Dominic (6).  BJ and Mary have fostered and/or provided respite for 12 children over the past six years and their youngest child was adopted from the foster care system.

While in college, BJ started QUEST, a ministry to unreached youth in Lincoln. BJ and Mary met at LCC while volunteering at QUEST and then led the ministry together for seven years.

In 2010, BJ and Mary moved to Decatur, IL where BJ has served for the last 13 years as the Missions Pastor at First Christian Church of Decatur. Along with being one of the church’s pastors, BJ leads FCC’s missions endeavors both globally and in the community of Decatur.  Facilitating FCC’s global missions partnerships has included leading 13 short-term mission teams to Kenya. FCC’s community missions include an after-school program for students from a local elementary school and other various community partnerships like the JumpStart back-to-school Clinic and the Night to Shine prom event for individuals with developmental delays. In 2013 FCC adopted an inner-city neighborhood in Decatur. Through the blessing and support of the church, the Leonard family has lived and ministered in that neighborhood since 2016, seeing God’s powerful work in reaching people and transforming lives.

Although BJ is still on staff at FCC, the Leonard family is transitioning and preparing to move to Kenya, where they will serve as missionaries with CMF International. They will be training Kenyan disciple-makers, church-planters and missionaries. The Leonards will be the third generation of missionaries from First Christian Church to serve in Kenya. They will be joining the Kenya Church Catalyst team, working country-wide with our teammates and national partners.

Their current ministry in the community of Decatur is uniquely challenging because it takes place both inside the established church and with people in the community who are not yet part of a church family. Their ministry is one of great investment and little fruit that is immediately visible. Seeing people from the community come to faith and be transformed is one of their greatest joys. BJ and Mary reflected, “In many ways, we have been blessed over the past 20 years to pursue and experience both pastoral ministry and urban outreach ministry concurrently. While there are moments of challenging paradox there are also moments of great harmony between both aspects of God’s dynamic Kingdom.”

They added, “It has been a pleasure to minister as a family. Living in our neighborhood allows our children to participate in mission as family life spills over into how we engage with our neighbors. As a family, we can welcome people into our home and share our faith. In the same way, doing foster care has been a family decision and commitment as we see the parallels between hospitality, doing life together, and all of us growing in our faith.”

In preparation for their transition to Kenya BJ and Mary said, “We are excited to move to Kenya. God is raising up a new generation of workers for His harvest throughout East Africa and we feel called to be a part of encouraging and training those workers. We are sad to leave our friends and church family in Decatur, but trust that God has called us for a purpose in Kenya and is equipping those who will remain in Decatur and carry on the work there.”

Mission work in Kenya may seem disconnected or completely different from what the Leonards have done up to this point, but in many ways everything goes back to QUEST and their time in Lincoln.

Their classes at LCC/LCU revealed to them God’s heart for missions and QUEST was a tangible way to join that mission. Through the interweaving of education and practical ministry in college and seminary, they developed a burden for the unreached, confidence in Scripture’s ability to speak into life’s toughest circumstances, skills in contextualizing the Gospel across cultural lines and they also witnessed the power of training the next generation of disciples. There are core principles of God’s redemptive work in every place they have had the opportunity to minister in, from the busy city streets to the daunting expansion of the African bush.  

There has been beauty as a reflection of God’s image in each person and culture and there has also been brokenness because of sin and death. The Holy Spirit leveraged their education and experience to minister as kingdom workers in whatever context He has called them to. They are looking forward to the opportunity to serve in Kenya in the coming years.

To learn more about BJ and Mary’s ministry in Kenya and to partner with them, visit: www.cmfi.org/bmleonard

He was one of the first to teach counseling at Ozark Christian College, and as an independent practitioner, helped to create the credentialing requirements for marriage and family therapy in the State of Missouri. With that credential established, he then became one of the first to hold such a license – number 0006 to be precise. Throughout his lengthy career in counseling – which has continued right up to the time of his award – Marion has given lifelong service to the church, as a counselor, youth minister, a choir member and director, and as a volunteer. Seeing a need to better resource ministers dealing with family life issues, Marion also regularly provided his education and expertise to churches and ministers through direct assistance and workshops.

“It was a great honor to present this award to Marion. His lengthy career not just caring for others, but also empowering people to care for others themselves has had tremendous impact from his student days as a youth minister at Northwest Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois, right up to the present. I will also say that he is one of the only people I’ve ever met who managed to play basketball for Marion Henderson, be a part of the music program with David Hargrove, and still complete a degree. He is an utter delight, and it was an absolute pleasure to formally recognize his tremendous Kingdom contributions.” – President Silas McCormick

The Restoration Award recognizes Lincoln Christian alumni for their contributions to Kingdom work. The nominee must be a graduate of Lincoln Bible Institute, Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln Christian Seminary, or Lincoln Christian University, having graduated at least five years ago. The Christian service by the individual must be in complete harmony with the purpose and policy of Lincoln Christian University.

We asked Kyle a few questions about his ministry and his LCU experience. Check out his responses below:  

You’re a pastor at a fairly large church in southern Indiana. What’s particularly challenging about your current ministry setting? What’s particularly rewarding?

Any ministry setting is challenging no matter the size of your church. So let’s start there. It’s challenging here at Northside because it’s ministry. In my particular setting, I work closely within our first-time guest process. Since the pandemic we are seeing a lot of first-time guests and a lot of people still coming back for the first time. This is a very good thing, but definitely challenging. Turning first-time guests into fully engaged disciples is probably our biggest challenge right now. However, this is the rewarding part as well. It’s really cool to see God bring someone to your church for the first time and then 4-6 weeks later seeing that person connect to a group or a serving opportunity. 

Everyone in church ministry wants their church to grow. How does a church balance aggressive growth tactics in seeking new people with meaningful discipleship for those who are already committed? Are these two goals in tension, or can they be complimentary?

This is a really good question. I think they can be complimentary if you are doing it the right way. That’s not to say we get it right all the time. We are seeking new people with growth tactics every single weekend. We call this going after “The One.” However, we do this through teaching and training “The 99”. So yes, we have aggressive growth tactics. These “tactics” are for the one, but we do them through the 99. Our mission is to reach the lost, but we do this through those who have already been found.  

How did your educational experience at LCU help prepare you for ministry in your current context and in general?

The thing I loved most about LCU was that it forced me to get OUT of the classroom. The classes were great. I loved my professors. However, when I was there, they were very intentional in getting me out of the classroom and into the local church setting. The thing that prepared me the most for ministry was doing projects, independent studies, and serving within the local church. Having the opportunity to experience hands-on ministry better prepares people for their future ministry. And LCU was great at making sure I experienced this. 

What does the church most need to be effective, and how does Christian education help meet that need?

Like I said, hands-on ministry experience is so important. The church needs more of this. And this doesn’t always mean we need more people in vocational ministry, although we probably do. At Northside we have a group of about 20 volunteers that we call ambassadors. These people work about 6-8 hours a week in a volunteer setting and are given real, hands-on ministry experience. They are more than just a weekend volunteer. I know that our church needs more people like that and I’m sure other churches are the same. 

Nearly one year ago – February 22, 2022 – Lincoln Christian University launched the LCU to You initiative. Due to the resultant academic changes and the start of Lincoln Christian Institute, which delivers theological education and ministry preparation in local church settings, the University has pursued ways to right-size the current campus to the new model. In June 2022, LCU began leasing a portion of its campus to Open Arms Christian Fellowship with an option to purchase, and after months of discussions, the University has completed the sale. Open Arms has purchased the Chapel, Laughlin Center, athletic fields, Ruth Hall, Titus Hall, and Alumni Hall for $3,975,000. LCU retains ownership of Restoration Hall, the Administration Building, the Warehouse, Timothy Hall, Harmony Hall, Henderson Hall, and 16 acres of green-space along Route 10 between Chapel View Drive and the former student apartments.

“I’m happy to see facilities that we cannot use be put to good Kingdom use with people who have been, and continue to be, good neighbors to us,” says President Silas McCormick. “Like moving to a new house or a new town, I’ll miss what once was. But with the realization that change is a part of life and of ministry, overall, I am deeply grateful that less than one year after our announcement of our LCU to You restructure, we have a campus that better fits our new model and have reduced our debt by more than half, to approximately $3.3 million.”

He graduated with a BA in Preaching Ministry from LCU in 2007, and will celebrate 15 years of marriage with Jessalyn in March of this year. Before joining Sojourn, Chris helped plant several Christian churches in the Rhode Island area, and serves as an elder at BridgePointe Christian Church in East Providence, RI, until just this past December when his term concluded. He and Jessalyn have three children, Nailah (10), Billie (7), and Canon (4).

We asked Chris a few questions about his ministry. You can read the interview below:

Provide a summary of what you do. What are the best part of your job?

“I serve as part of a team of a regional campus ministry in New England. My role as the Director of Advancement is to help our ministry to be fully funded and inviting new ministers to our team.

The best part of my job is the people I work with. We have a saying around here, “Safety Third!” That’s because we love Jesus, love people, and safety comes third.

Our team is addicted to fun and inviting others into that fun. After all… fun is spiritual.”

What are the unique challenges of ministering to this generation of students on secular college campuses like URI?

“Options.

One of the most frustrating endeavors is choosing a restaurant with a group of people. Too many options leads to inaction. It is my experience that this is one of the most paralyzing trends in our culture which started in the late 90’s.

Students are looking for direction, for wisdom, for something that works. If they experience the power of the Gospel then they’ll take steps toward believing the Gospel as well.

This all begins with simple, yet powerful, experiences.”

Collegiate ministry is often and ideally closely connected to the local church. What role do/should churches play in participating in this ministry field? How important is it for the future of the church?

“Our posture of ministry at Sojourn is to be a bridge from the campus to the local church. In this posture we are an extension of the local church.

I had a great opportunity to serve in a local church for ten years before joining a campus ministry team. I share with local church leaders often: “Partner with ministries that go where you cannot go.” If there is a local college campus, find ways to invest in a team that cares about being that bridge. Ultimately, they are your best shot at reaching students.

Church leaders, be on guard of this pitfall — campus work will and should look different than local church work. College ministry is primarily about sowing seed rather than reaping a harvest. People that walk through the doors of a church are at least curious about Jesus, seeds have been sown for days, weeks, or years. Most students on campus have no interest in Jesus — but they are looking for living water. Give freedom to the ministries you support to sow seed — it is hard, worthwhile work and if we do it right we can celebrate our uniqueness together (John 4:36).”

In what ways did your LCU education help prepare you for collegiate and pastoral ministry?

“LCU gave me three things that changed the trajectory of my life.

First, it gave me relationships. I am blessed to have mentors that generously share their wisdom to help me avoid the landmines of servant leadership. It also gave me relationships with peers who courageously help to set the pace for my relationship with Jesus, family, and ministry.

Second, LCU gave me the opportunity to serve in a local church during my studies. This is one of the reasons I love the recent academic changes at LCU. Each week I would lead a youth group, a Bible study, or I would preach — LCU was an oasis filled with processing and wisdom from my mentors and peers.

Third, LCU gave me tools and not a playbook. The late Ben Merold quoted a common mantra to begin Methods of Evangelism, “Methods often change. Principles never do.” I can list over a dozen professors that equipped me with tools, they inspired me with stories, and they generously shared their authentic faith journey.

My junior year my friend and mentor J.K. Jones finished a semester class with tears. He pulled down his glasses, put his elbow on the desk, and proceeded to pull back the curtains of his inner life — the pain, mourning, and very few moments of joy of the past season. He read from his journal and it was as if you could wring it out with the grace of Jesus. In that moment we learned a long obedience in the same direction. LCU, as Eugene Peterson wrote, put a burning in my bones.”

Bruce Thacker (LCS ’93) and Sherry Thacker (LCC ’92) retire from 50 years of full-time ministry Jan 22,2023. They will work with Hippo Valley Christian Mission and a couple of others serving God in missions a few months of the year.

The presentation was made by LCU President Silas McCormick, fittingly, at the International Conference on Missions in Columbus, OH on November 4th. 

Tom has served with North Burma Christian Mission for many years, training up pastors and teachers for local Bible schools. He primarily teaches at Bethany Bible Training Center, and makes periodic trips to the remote tribal villages to encourage and train the many indigenous Lisu pastors who have been assigned to minister in the northern Thailand area.

“Tom is an exemplary servant of Christ whose faithfulness in ministry is as impressive as it is humbling,” President McCormick said. “We’re proud to count him as one of our alumni, and grateful for his lifelong commitment to the mission field.”  Congratulations, Tom! 

The Restoration Award recognizes Lincoln Christian alumni for their contributions to Kingdom work. The nominee must be a graduate of Lincoln Bible Institute, Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln Christian Seminary, or Lincoln Christian University, having graduated at least five years ago. The Christian service by the individual must be in complete harmony with the purpose and policy of Lincoln Christian University.

Bret has pastored Kansas Christian Church in Kansas, IL for 20 years, and is a several time graduate of LCU, with a bachelor’s degree in Preaching Ministry (1989), a master’s in Bible & Theology (2019), and he’s a current student in our Doctorate of Ministry program. 

LCU’s Vice President of Advancement and Alumni, Brady Cremeens, was on hand to present Bret with the award, and said “Bret has been a great friend to LCU and a faithful servant of Christ and leader of Kansas Christian Church. It’s an honor to celebrate 20 years in Kansas with you, and we’re proud of what you’ve accomplished for God’s glory.” Congratulations, Bret! 

The Restoration Award recognizes Lincoln Christian alumni for their contributions to Kingdom work. The nominee must be a graduate of Lincoln Bible Institute, Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln Christian Seminary, or Lincoln Christian University, having graduated at least five years ago. The Christian service by the individual must be in complete harmony with the purpose and policy of Lincoln Christian University.