About Us Proposal for an Accredited Undergraduate Christian College
St. Louis, MO, August 12, 2011 – As Gateway College of Evangelism begins its forty-fourth year of preparing the next generation of Apostolic leaders, we are excited to announce an historic opportunity to expand our role of educating Apostolic men and women.
What is being proposed?
Gateway College of Evangelism has submitted a proposal to Urshan Graduate School of Theology to be acquired and transition into a new undergraduate college that will seek accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In essence Gateway College would transition into a new institution that is best described as a Christian College in that it will have (a) a core curriculum that includes general education with a Christian foundation and (b) a variety of majors that prepare students for life, vocation, and ministry.
Why this proposal?
The landscape of Christian education has changed in the Oneness Pentecostal movement. Many in our fellowship are now seeking other venues instead of the traditional Bible college model in an effort to earn accredited undergraduate degrees. There is no accredited undergraduate institution to serve either students training for ministry or students seeking general education and vocational skills in an Apostolic environment.
With this reality in mind, a task force has been assembled to study the feasibility of UGST acquiring Gateway and transitioning it into an accredited undergraduate college owned and operated by the UPCI on the current Gateway campus. The new entity would continue Gateway's legacy of providing a quality education to prepare men and women for Christian life and service, as well as increasing degree options for students.
What is the time frame for the decision, and how will the acquisition be implemented if approved?
Currently the task force is preparing a presentation for the UPCI General Board at the General Conference in October. If the acquisition is approved by the General Board as proposed, Gateway will continue to operate in its current form through June 30, 2012. On July 1, 2012, Gateway will transition into a Christian college owned and operated by the UPCI on our current campus as the undergraduate college of the Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
How will I continue my education at Gateway if the acquisition is approved?
Gateway College’s transition into the new institution will be immediate. The new entity will have a Christian Ministry degree track allowing current and prospective students to continue their education plans. There will be seamless continuity for the student, and his or her education will continue uninterrupted.
If the acquisition is not approved, how will Gateway as a College and the accreditation process be affected?
Gateway will continue to operate as a Bible college, offering excellence in education in an Apostolic environment and will continue the pursuit of accreditation that has already begun. No time has been lost while the acquisition has been considered.
Where can people go for more information?
For more information, please visit the following website: http://www.upcicollege.org. Additional information is available on the “Frequently Asked Questions” page, and your feedback is requested on the “Your Input” page.
As we move forward…
The Gateway College of Evangelism faculty, staff, and administration continue preparations for the current academic year with excitement as we proceed prayerfully. Please contact us with any questions at (314) 838-8858.
Gateway's Forty-Third Annual Commencement
On Friday, May 6, 2011, Gateway College of Evangelism celebrated its forty-third annual commencement exercises. The College honored one Life Focus certificate candidate, four associate degree candidates, nine bachelor degree candidates, and five co-op graduates from St. Louis Christian College.
Rev. Steve Willeford, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, opened the service with prayer, and President Darrell Johns welcomed family, friends, and distinguished guests. Several scholarship recipients and special award winners were recognized by Rev. Jarrid Younkin, Academic Dean.
Following the Gateway custom, Senior Class President Natalie Donnell passed a torch symbolizing evangelism to Senior Class President-Elect Wendy Coombs. Also in keeping with tradition, the Gateway College Choir sang “In Jesus’ Name We Pray” acapella, as well as a song from the 2011 recording project.
Rev. Brent Coltharp, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, was the commencement speaker and challenged graduates to a life of sacrifice in pursuit of the high calling of ministry.
Dustin Williams received the Spirit of St. Louis award and was the valedictorian of the class.
The service concluded with the benediction by Rev. Mitchell Bland as the congregation joined in asking God’s favor, anointing, and protection upon the graduates as they embark upon a new chapter of ministry.
We congratulate the following certificate and degree candidates and welcome them to the Alumni Association:
Life Focus Certificate
Associate of Biblical and General Studies
Associate of Church Music
Associate of Youth Ministries
Chelsea Radford
Bachelor of Christian Ministry: Biblical Studies
Bachelor of Christian Ministry: Christian Education
Jill Marion
Arica Theonnes
Bachelor of Christian Ministry: Church Music
Nikki Lay
Mandy McGraw
Bachelor of Christian Ministry: Pastoral Studies
Dustin Williams
SLCC Co-op Graduate Candidates - Bachelor of Science in Bible and Christian Ministry:
Kelly McGuire
Alex Protzman
April Pruett
Greg Pruett
Gateway Classic Golf Tournament
Gateway College of Evangelism hosted its first-annual golf tournament on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Over 30 alumni, staff, students, and friends of the College converged upon the Spencer T. Olin course in Alton, IL, for a day of golfing fun. Four-person teams competed over eighteen holes of golf and in numerous special contests.
Congratulations to the following winners.
First-place team:
Dick Bland
Kevin Fierge
Brock Fierge
Drake Fierge
Marshmallow drive winner:
Kevin Fierge
Closest to the pin winner:
Jonathan McClintock
Longest drive winner:
Laura Gohdes
Thank you to Lighthouse Church (O’Fallon, MO), Atlanta West Pentecostal Church (Lithia Springs, GA), The Sanctuary (Hazelwood, MO), Winds of Pentecost (St. Charles, MO), and Ryan and Lisa Vanderford (www.thevanderfords.com) for sponsorships. We also would like to thank the golfers and all who came out and supported the event.
Above: Golfers prepare to take the course for the shotgun start.
Above: Alumnus Brandon Buford drives from the tee while golfers look on.
Above: Alumnus Jared Carter puts on the green as team members look on.
Above: Alumnus Laura Gohdes putts from 60’ out for a chance to win $2500… oh, so close.
2011 Missions Conference Report
By Brooke Rosser
February 28, 2011
On February 15-17, Gateway College of Evangelism held its 2011 Missions Conference. Many students consecrated their lives and answered the call to home and foreign missions during this special week.
The conference theme was “Follow You,” which was developed by a student committee based on the theme of God’s love and calling. God’s love was perfect and unconditional. He laid down His life to save a world plagued by sin: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His love was not fueled by conditions; there were no stipulations. His sacrifice was not made for a select few; it was made to cover the sins of every sinner for all of eternity. Christ’s love for humanity was so vast that He laid down His life to make a way for us to experience salvation. He freely suffered and died out of love for us. Through His love we have power.
Through His power we are equipped to follow God’s call. In Mark chapter eight Jesus instructed, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34-35, NKJV). Just as God directed Gideon, today we must “go in the strength that we have” and take this gospel to the world, for He is sending us.
The “Follow You” theme was emphasized through each of the morning and evening services Tuesday through Thursday, and the presence of God ministered to students. One student commented, “The atmosphere of worship was inspiring, and a spirit of liberty swept through the building.”
The first night of the conference began with a focused prayer service led by Rev. Scotty Slaydon, General Secretary of UPCI Foreign Missions. Attendees concentrated on the conflict in Egypt and prayed that closed doors be opened. At the request of Brother Slaydon, students also took the time to concentrate on the “changing world of missions”—that God would inspire ideas to reach this world through unconventional ways.
On Wednesday evening, Gateway conducted a service in honor of the work Compassion Services International is doing around the world. Special prayer was held for nations in need, and students are raising an offering for Compassion Services International.
On the final night of the conference, the student body prayed over flags representing nations all over the world and covered literally millions of people in prayer. The Missions Club is confident that the effects of this prayer will be felt around the world!
Throughout the conference Rev. Errin Bryant, Rev. Scotty Slaydon, Rev. Daniel Scott, and Rev. Mark Hattabaugh addressed the student body with passion and conviction, and students were stirred to follow the will of God, wherever it might lead. This conference will be the catalyst to even greater things. Get ready for a generation of World Changers!
Gateway Aids Local Home Missions
Sunday, February 6, 2011 – Fourteen Gateway students joined Home Missionary Marty Bryant in Puxico, Missouri, this weekend to assist in outreach and to conduct the Saturday night and Sunday morning services.
The weekend was a milestone in outreach efforts. Based on the relationship the church has developed with a nearby Jobs Corps site, Gateway students helped connect many young adults to the church for the first time.
As a result of the preparation work done by the local church and the Gateway team, there were nearly fifty guests at the Saturday night and Sunday morning services. A young man was baptized, and many heard the Gospel message for the first time!
The Gateway faculty and staff are excited to see students putting their classroom knowledge to work in the field—all part of the vision of the Active Ministerial Participation program the College has designed as part of the total curriculum.
Dustin Williams, Gateway senior and president of the Gateway Ministerial Alliance, adds, “It is exciting to see men and women answering the call of God and working together to see God's kingdom come in cities and towns around the Midwest!”
