Ministry Studies
Biblical Equipping for Excellence in Life and Service

Are you “prepared” for ministry?
Calvary’s mission is to “prepare Christians to live and serve in the church and the world according to the biblical worldview.” The Ministry Studies Department is at the heart of this mission. Preparation for ministry requires more than knowledge of the Bible and theology. It also requires strong character and ministry skills. Knowledge is critical! But so are character and skills if you want to effectively minister to people.
Description
The Ministry Studies Department program and concentrations are designed to equip students with the essential academic, interpersonal, and practical skills to serve in local churches and parachurch organizations. Each concentration combines extensive classroom instruction by ministry-seasoned professors and supervised ministry experiences (i.e., internships) with experienced ministry leaders in order to give students the necessary biblical and practical understanding of ministry in today’s world. The program has multiple concentrations.
Ministry Studies Program and Concentrations
Bachelor’s Degrees
-
- Ministry Studies
- Children’s Ministry
- Intercultural Studies
- Pastoral Ministry (Bachelor of Arts)
- Pastoral Ministry (Bachelor of Science)
- Youth Ministry
- Youth Ministry – Worship Arts
Associate’s Degree
-
- Children’s Ministry
- Ministry Studies
Program Objectives
The Ministry Studies student will:
-
- Demonstrate the Christian Character qualities essential for Christian ministry.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theology, theories, methodologies, and skills essential for effective Christian ministry leadership.
- Develop effective communication skills essential for Christian ministry.
- Develop basic interpersonal skills necessary for addressing the spiritual needs of people.
- Acquire basic ministry skills under the guidance of a mature, seasoned professional supervisor in the kind of ministry setting anticipated after graduation.
Special Requirements
-
- A supervised internship in a ministry setting appropriate to the enrolled emphasis is required for Pastoral Ministry, Intercultural Studies, and Youth Ministry students.
- A Senior Seminar oral examination is required for Pastoral Ministry, Intercultural Studies, and Youth Ministry students.
- A grade of C or higher is required in BL232, Greek II, and in each succeeding Greek course before taking the next level Greek course for Pastoral Ministry students.
- A GPA of 2.5 or higher must be maintained in all Ministry Studies courses for Pastoral Ministry students.
Employment Possibilities
Ministry Studies
- Local Church Staff
- Associate Pastor
- Family Ministry
- Campus Ministry
- Christian Education
- Evangelism
- Ministry Coordination
- Para-Church Leadership
- Fund Raising for Faith-Based Organization
- Chaplaincy (with additional training)
Pastoral Ministry
- Senior Pastor
- Associate Pastor
- Campus Ministry
- Christian Education
- Evangelism
- Ministry Coordination
- Para-Church Leadership
- Fund Raising for Faith-Based Organization
- Chaplaincy (with additional training)
Youth Ministry
- Youth Pastor
- Youth Leader
- Student Development at a College or University
- Ministry Coordination
- Para-Church Leadership
- Fund Raising for Faith-Based Organization
- Christian Education
- Campus Ministry Coordinator
- Youth Care Specialist
Children’s Ministry
- Children’s Program Leader
- Christian Education
- Campus Ministry Coordinator
- Para-Church Leadership
- Residential Specialist for Victims of Abuse or Human Trafficking
- Shelter Case Manager
- Children’s Care Specialist
- Family Support Worker
- Refugee Services Case Manager
- Teacher Assistant
Children’s Ministry
The Children’s Ministry major is a partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Children’s Ministry majors require one semester attendance at the Children’s Ministries Institute, Child Evangelism Fellowship, in Warrenton, MO.
Students who have graduated from the CEF Children’s Ministries Institute will be able to transfer virtually all of their credits from the Institute to Calvary and use them toward meeting the requirements of this major.
Children’s Ministry Resources from CEF
Child Evangelism Fellowship is now offering a 30-minute weekly online Good News Club posted on U-NITE YouTube channel for kids! It features a Bible lesson, song, memory verse, and cliff-hanger missionary story inviting children back next week.
Click here to watch U-NITE
See a Gospel presentation using the Wordless Book. The young boy featured in the video believed on Jesus through the filming!
Click here to watch “Wordless Book”
See an 8-minute video or view a digital copy of the special crisis booklet, “Do You Wonder Why?“
Click here to watch
“Do You Wonder Why?”
Ministry Studies Faculty

Shaun LePage
Th.M.
Department Chair of Ministry Studies, Assistant Professor of Ministry Studies

Dr. Mike Dodds
Th.M.,D.Min.
Director of the CU Press, Professor of Minsitry Studies

Dr. Joshua Paxton
M.Div., Ed.D.
Director of the Burnham Center for Global Engagement; Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
Ministry Studies Degrees
Ministry Studies (Major)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Ministry Studies (Associate Degree, 2-year)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Children’s Ministry (Major/Minor)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Children’s Ministry (Associate Degree, 2-year)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Youth Ministry (Major/Minor)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Pastoral Ministry (B.A. Major/Minor)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Pastoral Ministry (B.S. Major)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Intercultural Studies (Major/Minor)
Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
Tuition On Campus Courses | $407.00 per credit |
Tuition Online Courses | $443.00 per credit |
Student Services fee | $247 per 8-week cycle |
Dorm Room - Double | $1,610 per semester |
Dorm Room - Single | $1,946 per semester |
Full Meal Plan* | $1,542 per semester |
224 Meal Plan | $1,388 per semester |
112 Meal Plan | $994 per semester |
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options. |
---|
Ministry Studies Blog/Vlog

How should Christians react to cultural changes?
How should Christians react to cultural changes? Since the 1960’s, Americans have seen numerous social norms change or disappear. What is the impact of this? Does it mean freedom from outdated ideas or does it create new problems? Surely some norms need to change, but...

What are the pitfalls of gaming?
What are the pitfalls of gaming? Throughout history, people have played games. But today’s “gaming” options are more abundant than any other time in history. This raises questions for many: Are there pitfalls to some games, but not others? Are there “fake” pitfalls to...