Hi!
I took a quick look at World Harvest Bible College. It is accredited by the International Christian Accrediting Association. I have worked in college admission for most of my professional life, specifically with Christian colleges for nearly 20 years. I have never heard of any of the colleges that are accredited by the ICAA.
There are obviously differences of opinion on these subjects, but I personally would have a very hard time encouraging any student to attend a college that did not have "regional accreditation" - there are different accrediting bodies throughout the US, such as Middle States, New England, Southern States, etc. By attending a college accredited by any of these bodies, you will easily be able to transfer your credits anywhere, go on to graduate schools, etc. If you are set on a Bible College, look for one that is accredited by the AABC - American Association of Bible Colleges. I think that is important becasue you will then be prepared to be used by God in a number of different ways.
I'm sure that many of these schools are fine places and are lead and taught by Godly people and you should check them out, but PLEASE, do not proceed and plan to attend unless you have also checked out Christian colleges that are regionally accredited.
World Harvest Bible College does indeed offer a very limited range of majors and an even more limited core curriculium: none! no English, history, world cultures, math, chemistry, political science.... Course work that most educated people consider as an important part of being a well educated human being in Western culture. They also do not teach Greek and Hebrew, which means that you are not being trained to look at scripture in it's original language.
By all means be well prepared for ministry! I would strongly encourage you to get an undergraduate degree (a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science) and then go on to a seminary program.
Please!!! I am not saying that these schools are not good schools. I am not qualified to do that, but as I look at their web sites, these are the important issues that jump to my attention. In my opinion (and that's all it is,) these schools would have to do some extrordinary things to overcome these limitations. As a Christian my heart is often broken by seeing undereducated and therefore unqualified Christian young people whose desire it is to help build the Kingdom.
Take a look at the list of member colleges in NACCAP - The National Association of Christian College Admissions Personell. They have colleges all over the country, both Bible and Christian liberal arts colleges
www.gospelcom.net/naccap
Sarah - your shopping lists narrows things down pretty fast:
"charismatic/christian/non-denominational/spirit-filled colleges"
Are all these features required? Can you live with a charismatic college that is in a denomination? How do *you* define charasmatic - I mean, you don't mean that you want the school buildings to speak in tongues, do you... so what is it you do want? Do all students have to have this gift? Do all faculty? Can you accept a college where all gifts are welcome but would not describe itself as charasmatic?
There are no right answers here - I'm trying ot get you to tihnk about what you really need.
Nessie: I hope you'll read this as well... I often present seminars on How To Choose YOur College and I teach a process that has proven helpful for many. many families.
Step #1 At the top of a blank page write:
"The college I attend should..." and then complete that sentence over and over and over again. Nothing is out of limits. Put any and everything down that you can think of. This will take some time. Here's the one rule:
everything you put down has to be measurable.
For example: many people will say "close to home". But what does that mean? Is within a day's drive "close"? "Within 5 hours"? "within 30 minutes"? You have to make "close" measurable.
"A pretty campus." is a common requirement - but again, how do you measure "pretty"? Break it down and think about what that means to you. Esthetics DO matter to many of us. Tall shade trees? Brick buildings? Open green space? Post Modern archiceture? Art work? Lots of landscaping?
You'll find that you probably need to define "Christian". Christians schools vary a geat deal - some admit only Christians, others admit non-Christain students, some require chapel, others offer it but it is not required, campus rules and dress codes vary, required Bible courses, Christian service requirements... What does it mean to you that a college is CHristian?
Following the rule can be hard, but it will help you a great deal. It will take some time - which is why it's so great you are both starting now!
The last step I'll give you is to decide which of the features on your list are
REQUIRED and which are
DESIRED. Sounds like you both are going to require that the college be CHristian... Perhaps one of you will require a private bathroom set up in the dorm, and the other might desire it. Make all of your features
R or
D.
There are other steps, but this is the most important one - coming up with your unique list. It takes time. As you visit schools and research them, the list will change, your R & D determinations will change, too. If you ar bold and brave, give this same assignment to your parents. They would write: "The college Sarah attends should..." and at some point, share your lists with one another! It can be a most interesting situation!!!
You can send me a personal message if you'd like to know the rest of the process...assuming that you are still reading this! LOL
