FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Institute for GOD (Global Outreach Developments, International) Achieves Accredited Status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), The Oldest and Largest Accreditor of Bible Colleges in the US.

February 14, 2024

The Institute for GOD Achieves Accreditation: A Milestone in Biblical Higher Education

On February 14th, a significant milestone was reached for The Institute for GOD in Nashville, TN, as key leaders including President Gregg Garner, Academic Dean Jeffrey Sherrod, VP of Enrollment and Marketing Laurie Kagay, and Chairman of the Board of Directors Adam Loeffler, stood before the ABHE’s Commission on Accreditation. This marked the culmination of a five-year effort toward achieving accredited status.

Gaining accreditation is a rigorous process, typically spanning 5-10 years and unfolding in three phases: applicant status, candidate status, and initial accreditation. The Institute for GOD applied for and was approved to expedite this process twice, demonstrating its commitment to excellence in fulfilling the standards of Christian higher education.

Accreditation is a comprehensive evaluation by a group of experienced peers from the higher education sector. Achieving accreditation signals a college's commitment to continual self-assessment and improvement under the oversight of the ABHE, based on 150 essential criteria. The accreditation process involved submitting approximately 10,000 pages of documentation, including a self-study, extensive campus evaluations by visiting teams, interviews with the college's leadership, faculty, and students, and a thorough review of all institutional documents and facilities.

This exhaustive process scrutinizes every aspect of an institution, from faculty credentials and campus infrastructure to student services, financial stability, enrollment trends, and governance structures. For students, accreditation simplifies credit transfers to other colleges, facilitates the pursuit of advanced degrees, assists in obtaining student visas, and qualifies the institution for a .edu domain, enhancing its digital presence and credibility.

About this accomplishment, President Gregg Garner notes the historical milestone this achievement is, and is incredibly proud of his team who worked very hard for this outcome. He notes, “I’m so proud of our team of administrators and faculty who have endured the rigor and responsibility of achieving accreditation. While being acknowledged this way doesn’t make us who we are, it is indeed a historical milestone for our institution that will be noted far into the future.” 

This accreditation marks The Institute for GOD as a leader in biblical higher education, setting a benchmark for academic and operational excellence in Nashville, TN, and beyond. It underscores The Institute's commitment to providing a robust, faith-based education that meets the highest academic quality and integrity standards.

President Gregg Garner’s Speech to ABHE’s Commission on Accreditation

Ladies and Gentlemen of the ABHE Commission,

My name is Gregg Garner, and I have been so blessed to serve as President for the Institute for Global Outreach Developments for twenty years now. Today, I stand here alongside the chairman of our board, Adam Loeffler, our chief academic officer, Jeffrey Sherrod, and our VP of Enrollment and Marketing, Laurie Kagay. We not only represent ourselves today, but I speak on behalf of our administration, faculty, and students, whose lives have become a testimony to the transformative power of Bible based education.

From the outset, we wanted to develop spiritually mature, competent professionals for global impact. Yet, as with any endeavor rooted in youthful idealism, we faced our fair share of challenges. It was in seeking accreditation from the ABHE that we found not just an evaluative body, but a partner in refining our purpose, processes, and pedagogy.

The journey through accreditation has been a catalyst, igniting introspection and innovation within our institution. It has demanded rigor in academic excellence, integrity in administrative practices, and, most importantly, fidelity to our foundational biblical principles. I stand here today, humbly submitting to you that we believe we are substantially compliant with the standards. 

On a personal level, since we began the accreditation process in 2017, we have undergone major challenges as an institution. That same year my mother, who was a key member of our team, died of stage IV cancer at the young age of 62. The following year another key faculty member died of cancer, and in the same month I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. In 2019 our campus was raided and subject to investigation by several government agencies. In 2021, I was indicted by a grand jury and arrested for allegations related to the raid. This prevented our college from obtaining several governmental assistance programs, including monies from the CARES act, and we had to withdraw our application for Title IV. A month after my arrest, I had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a fist sized tumor from my throat. Two months later, a founding member of our ministry and my best friend for 25 years died in a tragic accident while on mission in El Salvador. 

And while all that was happening, by the grace of God, we created an independent board for the college; we saw every faculty member obtain a higher degree in their respective fields; we built a 2 million dollar educational building; we extensively renovated our campus; we implemented an innovative meal program with a 5 star chef; we reformatted our academic programs to accommodate hybrid learning and recorded over 700 hours of video assets; we expanded our programming to incorporate international students where English is a second language; and were twice approved to expedite the accreditation process. Just to name a few of the wonderful things the Lord did during that challenging time period.

And in July of 2022 all charges were dropped and the case was dismissed and all records were expunged. Praise the Lord!

The accreditation process has been a mirror reflecting our institutional identity, strengths, and areas ripe for growth. It has fostered a culture of continuous improvement, where faculty, staff, and students alike are engaged in an ongoing dialogue about quality, relevance, and impact. This culture has permeated every facet of our institution.

Perhaps most importantly, accreditation has underscored the importance of assessment and accountability. We have been able to implement comprehensive systems to measure educational outcomes. This commitment to excellence is now a hallmark of our institution, recognized by peers, students, and the communities we serve.

In closing, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the ABHE Commission for guiding us through this enriching journey. The accreditation process has not merely been about meeting standards; it has been about exceeding our own expectations, challenging us to dream bigger, reach higher, and impact deeper. As we look to the future, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose, fortified by the knowledge that we are part of a community that values integrity, accountability, and the transformative power of faith-based education.

Thank you.

Gregg Garner, President and Founder of The Institute for GOD
Read aloud to the ABHE Commission on Accreditation on February 14, 2024.