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 to see not only what they have to say, but how they interact with their old college. Faithful alumni are a good sign and can be indicative of a number of positive things at a school - here’s some examples…
Faithful Alumni at a Bible College can be Telling of these 5 Things...
1. Faithful Alumni are Reflective of an Effective Biblical Education
“A Bad Tree Cannot Bear Good Fruit” Matthew 7:18
Want to be absolutely positive you’ve found a great school? Then watch their alumni. As Jesus said, “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit.” If a Bible college is effectively teaching God’s Word, then those who graduate from the program should be filled with the life of his Spirit. This means they are able to apply God’s Word to their lives in such a way where they are a reflection of Jesus and can be a light in any situation.
At the Institute, the alumni treasure the Biblical education they’ve received, and they continue to study and implement it in their lives. They love discussing biblical topics with current students, as well as sharing testimonies of how passages of scripture have impacted their lives.
2. Faithful Alumni are a sign of a college with a healthy social environment.
“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thess. 5:11
People don’t feel connected to a college because they love the architecture of the buildings or because it has a great meal program (though good food is always a big plus). People feel connected to colleges through the relationships they build there. It could be the teachers who empowered them through interactive lessons, counselors who ensured students felt seen and heard, or the friendships built with other students through the programs and events facilitated by the school. When there are alumni who continue to feel connected to a college even after graduation, it speaks positively towards the social environment the school cultivates.
In the case of Bible schools, God’s word gives a standard as to what these relationships should look like. The depth friendships can reach when they share the mind of Christ is unparalleled, creating a tight knit community who is genuinely concerned about each other’s well being.
3. Faithful Alumni Reveal the Spiritual Impact a College has.
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call…” Eph. 4:4
In the same way a football fan may cheer for his alma mater at a normal college, at a Bible college, the alumni root for the maturation of Christ followers. But rather than mindless yelling, they show their devotion through supporting students’ spiritual development. They care and participate because their own lives have been completely changed by the education and implementation of God’s word - not just in the classroom, but in their everyday lives.
At the Institute for G.O.D., the alumni are highly involved in student activities, from intramurals to speaking at their chapels. The community life is greatly enhanced due to the investment of past graduates who understand that God’s Word was meant to be lived out with others. This also allows for greater accountability to the biblical lessons students are learning.
4. Faithful Alumni is indicative of how it prepares people for the workplace.
“[They] must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Eph. 4:28
The main role of higher education is to prepare people for the workplace by equipping them with the mind of Christ and skillsets necessary to succeed. It’s doubtful a graduate who is ill-equipped for the professional world would feel grateful for an education which failed to do its job. Also, it’s difficult to be able to invest yourself into your alma mater if you are struggling economically. This isn’t to say you should pick a college that has the most potential for making you wealthy - as those who are seeking first the kingdom of God have a different criteria for what it means to be wealthy- but the school should prepare you in such a way where you become a valuable asset to the economic sector of your community so as not to be a burden on others.
The Institute actually partners with many of their alumni in the Christian Jobs Initiative which offers 100% of Institute graduates a job upon graduation.
5. Faithful Alumni show they have been filled with purpose.
“You are the Light of the World.” Matthew 5:14
Through learning God’s word, people are not only instilled with the vocation of being a light to the nations, but they are also equipped with the knowledge of how to fulfill it. By their willingness to continue to invest into what the school is doing, it shows their own purpose aligns with that of the college. Colleges that effectively teach God’s word end up being more than just institutions to get a degree at, as they should be concerned about the holistic health of the students God has entrusted them with; this means they are actively seeking ways to develop them not only academically, but spiritually, socially, mentally, etc.
Did you know that at the Institute for G.O.D., 96% of alumni are still active in ministry or missions ten years after graduation! We are proud of how so many have remained faithful to the calling God gave them, even a decade after they have graduated.
If you’re interested in joining ranks with these awesome Institute alumni, you gotta become a student first.
