The Institute Blog
Thoughts on Jesus, Education, and Life from Faculty, Students & Grads
S2E23: College Conversations Podcast - “What Is ‘Summer Melt’ & How Do I… Not?” (Transcript)
Join Institute for God Professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay, and Gregg Garner as they explore the "summer melt" phenomenon where students accepted to college do not show up in the fall.
S2E22: College Conversations Podcast - “What I Learned On Mission Abroad & Why I Want To Go Again! - Part Two” (Transcript)
Join Institute for God professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay and headmaster Gregg Garner as they discusses with Institute student; Jacob Oliveira his summer internship mission trip to Uganda, emphasizing intentional planning and transformative impact on one's relationship with God.
S2E21: College Conversations Podcast - “What I Learned From My Mission Abroad & Why I Want To Go Again!” (Transcript)
Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod and Laurie Kagay from College Conversations interview Institute students; Genesis Garner and Erin Gammill. They reflect on previous mission trips as well as share hopes for upcoming trips.
S2E20: College Conversations Podcast - “The State of Short Term Missions: Are They Worth It?” (Transcript)
Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay, and Benjamin Reese from College Conversations discuss the challenges and criticisms surrounding short-term missions in America, focusing on issues such as the lack of lasting impact and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. They emphasize the importance of expertise, financial integrity, and a holistic approach to measuring success in mission work.
The Institute for GOD launches Church Matching Scholarship
The Institute for GOD is pleased to announce the Church Matching Scholarship, launching in Fall 2024. This new program aims to support both incoming and current full-time students dedicated to their biblical studies and ministry preparation.
S2E14: College Conversations Podcast - “Why Being ‘A Light in the Darkness’ of a Secular College is a Bad Idea” (Transcript)
Laurie Kagay, Jeff Sherrod and Institute for Global Outreach Developments president, Gregg Garner discuss the challenges faced by Christian students in secular colleges, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation in biblical education. They highlight the need for proper discipleship, Biblical literacy, and integration of faith into all aspects of life to effectively spread the light of Christ.
S2E13: College Conversations Podcast - “What Bible Colleges Miss In Spiritual Formation” (Transcript)
Joined by the Presidents of Mid South Christian College, Larry Griffin and Nick Griffin, Jeff Sherrod and Institute for Global Outreach Developments president; Gregg Garner discuss spiritual formation in students featuring a discussion on spiritual formation at Mid South Christian College. Speakers focus on the challenges of assessing and prioritizing spiritual growth in students.
Student Accountability Groups: Building a Lifelong Value
This blog highlights our Accountability Group program, which is part of the Student Life department at the Institute for G.O.D. Undergraduate students are placed in an accountability group where they practice vulnerable, honest conversations.
S2E11: College Conversations Podcast - “Access & Equity: Reshaping Biblical Education Globally” (Transcript)
President Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay highlight the importance of biblical literacy and critical thinking in studying the Bible. They address the need for sustainable transformation and genuine education for leaders and congregations in the developing world.
S2E10: College Conversations Podcast - “Discussing Diversity: A Person, Not An Idea” (Transcript)
Institute President Gregg Garner leads a discussion with Professors Laurie Kagay and Benjamin Reese where they discuss being token representatives of diversity and emphasize the need for genuine diversity rooted in values. They discuss the challenges of navigating different cultural environments and stress the importance of self-awareness in promoting true diversity.
Institute Students Provide Tech Empowerment for Seniors at Fifty Forward
Students at the Institute for G.O.D. International volunteers at Fifty Forward in Nashville, providing tech assistance to seniors, enhancing their digital skills and protecting them from scams.
S2E7: College Conversations Podcast - “Distraction Overload: Gen Z Navigating College Life” (Transcript)
In this podcast episode, Jeff Sherrod and Gregg Garner interview Brent Holzklaw and Daniel Ryan Day from Reclaim Today. They discuss the mission of Reclaim Today to help people connect with God in the ordinary moments of everyday life, and how they use research and creative content to engage Gen Z and Millennials in their faith.
No dorms, just homes for Christian community
Read about the Institute for GOD's unique student housing in Nashville, TN, turning traditional dorm life into a community-centric experience. Students reside in furnished houses, building relationships and acquiring life skills in a faith-based environment. This setup promotes personal and spiritual growth. Check out our blog to understand how we're enhancing student living for better service and fellowship.
Ministry Project Reflections: Institute Students Visit the Elderly in Nashville
Students from the Institute for Global Outreach Developments Int’l regularly visit Radnor Tower, a residential community for the elderly, to provide practical assistance and companionship. Through these visits, they build meaningful relationships with residents, sharing experiences and the love of Jesus, while also gaining invaluable insights and wisdom from the seniors they serve.
Enhancing Professional Skills with Christian Values: A Recap of November DevTalks
Recap of November’s DevTalk on first impressions and hospitality.
DevTalks Take 1: Owning Your Mistakes and Your Time - Workplace Wisdom
The Institute’s Professional Development (ProDev) program hosts this year’s first “DevTalks” — a Ted Talks style seminar for students to learn practical skills to thrive in the workplace.
The Alumni Factor: What Faithful Alumni Says about a Bible College
It’s common for college graduates to feel a connection to their alma mater. While some may simply cheer for their sports teams on t.v. or passively promote the school to potential applicants, others go hardcore when it comes to showing their support for the college from which they graduated. When it comes to choosing a Bible college, consider looking at the school’s alumni…
Can I still serve God without being a Pastor or Missionary?
Lots of people want to serve God, but many don’t feel they necessarily fit with pastoring a congregation or advancing God’s kingdom overseas. Is there still a possibility they can serve God without being a pastor or missionary? Is God happier with them than he is with others who are just a part of the congregation and not in front leading?…
2023 Institute for G.O.D. Graduation
The 2023 Institute Commencement Ceremony was held this weekend and celebrated 20 undergraduates and six graduate students. The ceremony included students from multiple walks of life, but they all carried a similar story of God's nearness as they chose to submit to learning God's word and applying it to their lives…
College Conversations S1E12: Building Leaders - Is College the Secret? (Transcript)
Benjamin Reese and Jeffrey Sherrod join Institute President Gregg Garner for a vital discussion on cultivating leadership skills in college. This episode examines how traditional college approaches may fall short in nurturing leadership qualities, essential in today's world and job market. The trio delves into the necessary changes colleges must adopt to effectively foster leadership among young people. It's an insightful episode for students, educators, and anyone interested in the evolution of higher education to meet contemporary leadership challenges.