College of Theology

The second One Foundation Lunch and Learn of the fall semester finished the discussion on human value and dignity and featured some excellent examples by faculty from the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions. Faculty are urged to make sure the next session, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, is on their calendar.

Dr. Jeff Jibben, a member of the Online Full Time Faculty in the College of Theology, is an expert on the Gospel of Matthew and was a church pastor for 20 years. He is passionate about making complex material easier to understand, is a do-it-yourselfer and has a side career that feeds his love for making a house a home.

A $3.2 million grant from the Kern Family Foundation will help GCU develop an accelerated pastoral training program in which students will be able to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Divinity in five years. GCU is matching the Kern Family Foundation’s investment by providing the other half of the $6.5 million needed to launch and build out the program over the next five years.

The One Foundation Lunch and Learns, which began Friday, offer a perfect opportunity for faculty members to learn more about teaching from a Christian perspective. “It sustains a conversation that is necessary,” said Dr. Jason Hiles, Dean of the College of Theology. Five more one-hour sessions are scheduled during the academic year, and the first 100 people to sign up get a free lunch.

Andre Mooney, a member of the Online Full-Time Faculty in the College of Theology, plays a mean game of pickleball — he’s even an instructor in the sport. But when it comes to teaching, he’s anything but mean. He talks about “doing life with my students” and works hard to help his students to “see the world through a Christian lens,” as he puts it. But most and impressive of all is a responsibility he and his wife have taken on.

Beth Guckenberger said she was ill-prepared for her life in missional work and found herself in over her head many times. But she shows up, with her pink Bible, her heart and her mind and knows that God will show up for her, too. “Do you know how many times I’ve been in over my head? Every day,” she told students at Chapel. ” … But here’s what happens. When you get into God’s business, and you get in over your head and you cry out to him, he’ll say, ‘Hey, whatever it is you’re asking of me, I’m already in agreement of it.” Her talk came just before Monday night’s mission fair at GCU Arena and tonight’s The Gathering, where several mission groups will conduct break-out sessions. Her talk also came at a time when the Worship Team was celebrating something of their own — the release of the new Canyon Worship album.

To celebrate the release of Canyon Worship 2019, Amanda Riffe performed “Isaiah 55” at Chapel this morning. The story of how she conceptualized her song is remarkably similar to those of other student artists on the album. “It’s definitely a Holy Spirit thing,” she said.

The Canyon Worship albums quickly have gained a national reputation for their depth and quality, which makes the Monday release for the 2019 version a big day for old fans and new. And this year, the push is on to get it in the hands of even more people. “We want to get it as far-reaching as we can,” said Dr. Randall Downs, Coordinator of the Center for Worship Arts at GCU. Last in a nine-part series on GCU academics.

Photos by Elizabeth Tinajero and Enrique Lucha GCU News Bureau Thursday’s Welcome Week activities included socials for the Academic and Career Excellence (ACE) centers and transfer students, ROTC orientation and a welcome-back party for Worship Arts students.  

Move-In gets the year started off right for incoming GCU students, but it has the same effect on the volunteers who help them. Whether they’re helping for the first time or are seniors and have done it every year, they treasure the excitement. “It’s my third year, and it’s always the same energy,” said one.