Graduate Religion

—Tony Beckham, Lead Pastor, Bethesda Church, Los Angeles

"The MA with Vanguard University awakened in me a desire to continue growing and learning as well as gave me the confidence to attempt a PhD program. As I was allowed the opportunities to become personally acquainted with several of my instructors, their knowledge and experience encouraged me to strive to do my very best.  But even more importantly, they were all truly people of great faith, integrity, and spiritual maturity.  So many doors have opened over the years because of the MA experiences with Vanguard University.  One of my favorite current roles is with Christian Surfers International as an advisor and participant in creating the leadership training program for the national leaders.  The training VU provided me is being multiplied exponentially as we share with the Latin Christian surfers who are impacting their own local communities."

—Reggie Colbert, Short term missionary, adjunct faculty at several Christian colleges, and building contractor

"The cohort experience changed my life and elevated me into a new arena of thinking and practice. I am a different leader today because of the substantive foundation the leadership cohort provided for me at Vanguard University."

—George Cope, Senior Pastor, Calvary Assembly of God, Winter Park, FL.

"The Graduate Religion program at Vanguard University offers the unique combination of academic excellence and a distinctly Pentecostal perspective. The professors in the religion department are of the highest caliber academically and spiritually, and they take the time to invest in their students both inside and outside of the classroom. Not only have I been challenged academically, but I have also been encouraged and mentored by the faculty members on a personal level. I am extremely thankful for the blessing of studying at Vanguard, knowing that God has used this program to prepare me for further academic study and a lifetime of ministry."

—Alicia Jackson, East Asia Field Information Coordinator, The JESUS Film Project^®

"My experience at Vanguard University is foundational to my work with leaders. In every consulting engagement I continue to draw from my learnings in the MA program. My preparation addressed both the “how” and “why” of organizational leadership and the importance of the spiritually integrated self. I was exposed to gifted academic practitioners who I still consider mentors to this day. I did not know it at the time but my idea of ministry was transformed. After serving as an Executive Pastor in the local church for several years, I was compelled to think of my ministry in a different way. Today I work seamlessly between the for-profit and non-profit worlds serving leaders who want to build organizations worthy of the people who work in them. While my professional life has grown, my academic pursuits have continued. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change. I do not believe I could have been better prepared for the journey. I am always delighted to respond when my colleagues or clients ask, “Where did you learn that?”

—Chip Espinoza, Executive Vice-President, LeadershipTraq

"After nearly 20 years in ministry, I decided to head back to school to pursue my graduate degree and I'm so glad I chose Vanguard! Each class has sharpened me as a leader and challenged me as a learner. I couldn't recommend Vanguard more highly."

—Kurt Johnston, Student Pastor, Saddleback Church

"A biblical and holistic approach to the world's contemporary moral issues, the ‘Vanguard (graduate) experience' taught me to think globally while acting locally. The emphasis on the 'being' that informs 'doing,' 'activity' that flows from 'identity,' placed my contribution to society at the very epicenter of faith and reasoning. As a full time missionary, I cannot overemphasize the need for adequate training which I was privileged to benefit from the graduate program in Leadership at Vanguard."

—Camille B. Ntoto, Field Coordinator, Light of Africa: Network

"Every single person in my family has gone to Vanguard, including my wife and I. For me, the graduate religion program was life-changing. I loved the classes, professors, and interaction with peers. I loved the Leadership cohort program, with its essential idea of bringing together a small group with a spiritually-minded scholar. It was one of the most impacting experiences of my entire ministry."

—Ray Rachels, District Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Southern California District

“The Graduate Religion program really forces students to grow. The professors encourage and support the students, while at the same time challenging them to go beyond the text and classroom discussions. As someone moving on to seminary after graduation, I feel extremely prepared for the course work and look forward to using my experiences at Vanguard in a different academic environment."

—Anna Roope, Postulant, Episcopal church, Diocese of Los Angeles