Surprising 2009 enrollment growth in USA/Canada Nazarene schools

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Global Ministry Center

The late John A. Knight, who faithfully served the Church of the Nazarene as pastor, teacher, writer, editor of the Herald of Holiness (now Holiness Today), president of two Nazarene universities, and finally as general superintendent, often stated, "Holiness, mission, and education are the hallmarks of who we are." He was passionate in his conviction that "education and evangelism walk hand in hand. Without evangelism, education can become rationalistic and sterile. Put them together and they are a powerful force for changing people and society."

Multiple challenges continue to face Nazarene institutions as they seek to integrate academic scholarship and Christian service with biblical faith and holy living. In a year of severe economic downturn, E. LeBron Fairbanks, education commissioner and administrator of the International Board of Education (IBOE), expressed pleasant surprise that the USA/Canada colleges, universities, and seminary witnessed an increase over the previous year in the total of undergraduate (+226) and graduate (+430) degree seeking students. He continued, "The increases were strongest in part-time undergraduate students and full-time graduate students." 

Fairbanks concluded, "The presidents of the USA/Canada Nazarene colleges, universities, and seminary passionately lead their institutions with intense missional resolve and deep Christian humility. The students they serve are, indeed, increasingly becoming powerful forces globally for "changing people and society" with the love of Jesus and the message of holiness.

The Church of the Nazarene is blessed with a worldwide system of education. The denomination supports 54 schools in 35 countries offering academic programs at various levels. The resources of these schools, including the USA/Canada colleges and universities, are linked together in a great network of support and collaboration under the IBOE. The school with the largest enrollment this year is  Korea Nazarene University with approximately 6,000 students. 

The details of the 2009 enrollment on the USA/Canada schools have been made available and can be viewed by clicking here.

--International Board of Education

 

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