Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion’s Chancellor Dr. Rod Reed will serve on the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)’s commission focused on evangelism. This new initiative is dedicated to helping Christian Colleges build thriving evangelistic campuses.
According to research conducted by the CCCU, the importance Christian college students place on their faith remains high, yet Christian colleges face challenges when it comes to equipping students to share their faith. The CCCU website notes that, “Over the next several years, the commission will convene leading influencers, commission research, host events, and share best practices for preparing students for sharing their faith throughout their lives.”
“Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ has always been central to the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University,” said Reed. “I’m thrilled to be part of this work that will equip Christian university students, faculty and staff to share this message in a world that desperately needs it.”
Shirley Hoogstra, CCCU President noted that encouraging and equipping students to share their faith in the vocations to which God calls them is central to the identity of Christian colleges. “Evangelism is about belief in God and his salvation power as well as a skill to learn. The work of this commission will advance equipping students for the command in I Peter 3:15 to always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have doing so with gentleness and respect,” said Hoogstra.
In addition to Dr. Rod Reed, the inaugural commissioners include:
- Greg Anderson, Graduate Chaplain, Wheaton College (Chair)
- Allen Yeh, Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, Biola University
- Mark Mittelberg, Executive Director, The Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics, Colorado Christian University
- Dr. Mary S. Hulst, University Pastor, Calvin University
- Rev. Angulus Wilson, University Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries, Warner Pacific University
Advising the commission are:
- Jerry Root, Professor of Evangelism Emeritus, Wheaton College
- Pastor Laurel Bunker, Principal Consultant, The Boncoeur Collaborative, Former Vice President, Christian Formation, Bethel University
- Samuel Chiang, Executive Director, Global Evangelism Network, World Evangelical Alliance
- Mike Whipple, Director of Strategic Partnering, Cru
- Andrew Cook, Managing Director, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center
Indiana Wesleyan University is the largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.