Welcome Week at the Institute for GOD is one of the most exciting times of the year—a chance for new students to discover campus life, build friendships, and step into a season of growth. To give you an inside look, three of our current students share their own experiences, memories, and highlights from this special week. Their stories capture the energy, community, and heart that make Welcome Week unforgettable.

90% of Gen Z feels anxious about making phone calls. Learn practical tips for booking doctor, dentist, and other appointments with confidence in college.

In this episode of College Conversations host Jeff Sherrod sits with Laurie Kagay, VP of Marketing and Enrollment, and students Olivia Beaverson and Mark Olivera. Together, they tackle the anxieties surrounding mandatory international mission trips for students and their parents. They discuss the challenges and rewards of international trips.  The conversation highlights the initial apprehension from both students and parents, focusing on safety concerns and the unknown.  The episode differentiates between highly facilitated trips and more independent immersion experiences, emphasizing the valuable learning and personal growth fostered by the latter, despite the increased challenges and anxieties.  Practical advice is offered for addressing parental concerns, focusing on the biblical basis for missions and the supportive team environment provided.  The episode concludes with encouragement for prospective students to embrace the challenges, learn from mistakes, and participate in God's global work.

This podcast episode features a Q&A session with prospective students and families visiting the Institute for GOD. President Garner and Academic Dean Jeff Sherrod sit with current students Anthem Bloyer and Julian Carrion to address questions about campus life, academics, internships, and the Institute's unique approach to faith-based education. Key topics include: student life outside of campus, the importance of pre-college internships for ministry experience, the structure and workload of freshman classes (including a focus on Exodus), the Institute's integrated professional development (ProDev) program, the school's founding vision emphasizing strong biblical literacy, and how to discern God's calling regarding college choice. The episode highlights the Institute's commitment to providing a supportive community, practical skills training, and debt-free graduation with immediate job placement opportunities.

In this episode of College Conversations, host Jeff Sherrod, along with president Gregg Garner, engages with students Melanie Flores and Justice Garner to discuss the importance of fostering strong relationships between faculty and students. They share personal experiences highlighting how these connections have positively impacted their academic and personal growth. The conversation emphasizes the role of faculty in providing support, accountability, and mentorship, which are crucial for student success. Listeners will gain insights into how intentional relationships can enhance the college experience and contribute to a supportive learning environment.

In this testimony, Olivia reflects on her transformative immersion experience in India, where she witnessed how God's Word brings hope and change to lives. Through teaching, fellowship, and encountering profound challenges, she shares stories of faith, growth, and the tangible impact of God's love and provision.

In a life of ministry, teachers, pastors, and facilitators make choices every day on what type of behavior is permissible and what is not. What should guide our efforts? How do you implement the grace of God, while not losing control of the program you’re a part of? What does discipline teach to a student or individual within your group?

Jeff Sherrod, Gregg Garner, and Laurie Kagay discuss the role of questions in a Christian community. As in, where do academic freedom, intellectual honesty, and how do they work in a Christian setting? Some people view questions as a negative thing regarding faith, but as professors, these guests highly favor asking questions. Think through what kinds of questions you answer, and how to get better at it.

Gabriella shares about her experience as a participant in the Summer Internship program this year and how this experience changed her experience in school.

Welcome Week 2024 was a special and noteworthy occurrence as it introduced us to and allowed us to become familiar with those who have chosen to attend The Institute for GOD and pursue a Biblical education! Welcome weeks are important to returning students as they allow us to come alongside and get to know those who are new, as well as show our support. These weeks are packed with fun activities, challenges, special times of fellowship, worship, prayer, and so much more! Welcome Week is important to both the foundation of friendships, and the introduction to college life at The Institute.

This podcast features two Institute alum, Matthew Parker and Stephen Carver, who are both employed in the construction industry while also working as pastors and development workers. Joined by hosts Gregg Garner and Jeff Sherrod, the four discuss changing job opportunities for graduates of Christian colleges, focusing on non-traditional ministry roles.

Sara Giguere, a student at The Institute for GOD, is on her six-week immersion trip in El Salvador. She shares insights from her journey, highlighting the community's shift from dependency to empowerment and detailing the mission's significant impact on local residents and volunteers.

Lauren Garrison gives a week one update from her Immersion to El Salvador concerning her time so far, and what their plans are for the month. Look forward to more updates like this throughout the month.

Students from the Institute for GOD will engage in a six-week cultural immersion in El Salvador, participating in community service projects like youth programming and gardening. The experience fosters cultural exchange and personal growth while supporting GOD Latin America. This post details their preparation, activities, and the educational impact of their trip.

Every human being needs friends. Sometimes it can feel like it’s impossible to genuinely connect with others, whether it’s because of personal insecurities or seemingly impenetrable cliques. But the truth is, God wants people to be close to one another, to be honest with each other and let love be genuine

Jeff Sherrod hosts a candid conversation with three Institute students, each at a unique stage in their college experience. Debbie Castellanos, a freshman, Jacob Olivera, a transfer student with a degree already under his belt, and Lauren Garrison, a senior, share their personal reflections on transitioning into and out of college. This episode offers a diverse perspective on the challenges and triumphs of college life, providing valuable insights for anyone navigating or about to embark on their own academic journey at The Institute.