The Institute Blog
Thoughts on Jesus, Education, and Life from Faculty, Students & Grads
S2E26: College Conversations Podcast - “Will College Cure My Loneliness?” (Transcript)
Join Institute for God professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay and headmaster Gregg Garner as they explore the issue of loneliness among college students, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasize the importance of feeling seen and heard, integrating into community, and recognizing cultural values to combat isolation.
From the Field Uganda: WorkWell Program Begins in Uganda!
The launch of the program: WorkWell, in East Africa this summer has employed 6 teenage workers with one of the most important jobs there is - cooking! This team of Ugandan WorkWell employees has had the opportunity to cook meals for the team of summer interns as well as ministerial leaders from Kenya and Uganda who have been traveling and ministering with the summer interns.
From The Field Uganda: Students Living A Mission
This East Africa Immersion trip, Erin Gammill shares how she’s been blessed with the opportunity to help implement the first SLAM program in Uganda. She loved being behind the scenes and doing tasks to bring organization to the event, as well as getting to help with healthcare needs there.
S2E25: What Can a Small School Do that a Large School Can't?
This podcast focuses on the differences between small and large colleges, particularly in the context of Bible colleges and Christian higher education. President Gregg Garner, Laurie Kagay, and Jeff Sherrod, explore how school size impacts factors such as facilities, faculty, student-faculty relationships, and the overall college experience.
S2E24: Why You Can't Wait to Pursue a Biblical Education
Gregg Garner, Jeffrey Sherrod, and Institute Professor and historian Shaun Galford discuss the importance of prioritizing biblical education, emphasizing the need for understanding beyond symbols and procedures. They highlight the role of the community in educating the next generation and stress the significance of passing down faith and values, drawing on historical lessons.
From The Field India: Serving With Friends
Olivia Lasater shares her experiences being abroad on Immersion in India and how thankful she is for her education in the Bible. She testifies to the relationships she has and is building—she connects this to how important friends are to Jesus.
From the Field Uganda: Serving those in Need
Walt Reynolds, immersion participant, shares about a full week of ministry alongside the Summer Internship team.
From the Field Philippines: Reflecting On Challenges
Hear a testimony from Simon Liley from the 2024 summer South East Asia immersion team as he reflects on the challenging circumstances he’s witnessed. One of the most difficult things for him being to hold onto the stories he’s heard as well as the realities of poverty that he’s seen around the world with the critical lens that God gives us.
From the Field Philippines: Camp Skillz
South East Asia immersion team this summer gets the opportunity to to facilitate Camp Skillz (summer camp) for 28 kids. Hear from Simon Liley and his experience getting to be “Ninja Kuya” (Kuya means “brother” and is used to address older male figures) at camp.
From the Field Philippines: Malaya Means Free
South East Asia immersion team this summer gets the opportunity to host a weekend Leadership Bible Retreat for invited leaders from our campus & community in the Philippines, providing for them intensive times in worship, Bible study, and fellowshipping together. The hope of the time was to make known to them about God's building project, which is his children.
From the Field Philippines: Students Living A Mission
South East Asia immersion team this summer gets the opportunity to facilitate a SLAM week for the youth present. With the weeks theme being: ‘Reck’nize: Who you are & where you at’ pulled from Colossians 3:1-3, read Brittan Botzom’s testimony as to how God is using her team and moving in everyone there.
From the Field Uganda: SLAM Conference
Blake Botzum writes from Uganda about the facilitation of a SLAM week, on the other side of a program that changed his life.
Institute Students Making an Impact in Nashville!
Nick Sherrod reflects on the good work the Institute students have put in this year to serve the greater Nashville community.
From the Field Philippines: “What we do here is what we do there!”
South East Asia immersion team this summer gets the opportunity to to facilitate Camp Skillz (summer camp) for 28 kids. Hear from Tresa Botzom and her personal experiences getting to witness the replication of a program that started in Nashville get effectively duplicated within the Filipino context.
S2E23: College Conversations Podcast - “What Is ‘Summer Melt’ & How Do I… Not?” (Transcript)
Join Institute for God Professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay, and Gregg Garner as they explore the "summer melt" phenomenon where students accepted to college do not show up in the fall.
From the Field India: Walking through Old Delhi
Lily McDaniel reflects on her experience in Old Delhi, and the Bible that she’s learned, and how the two intersect.
From the Field Philippines: Lifting Up The Poor
Hear a testimony from Isaiah Aaseby from the 2024 summer South East Asia immersion team as he reflects on the lessons he’s learning from the Bible and experience in a third-world country. He writes; “It’s humbling to come in contact with the poor, and uncomfortable. The uncomfortability isn’t bad, in fact it can incite us to call on the Lord if we choose to.”
S2E22: College Conversations Podcast - “What I Learned On Mission Abroad & Why I Want To Go Again! - Part Two” (Transcript)
Join Institute for God professors Jeff Sherrod, Laurie Kagay and headmaster Gregg Garner as they discusses with Institute student; Jacob Oliveira his summer internship mission trip to Uganda, emphasizing intentional planning and transformative impact on one's relationship with God.
S2E21: College Conversations Podcast - “What I Learned From My Mission Abroad & Why I Want To Go Again!” (Transcript)
Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod and Laurie Kagay from College Conversations interview Institute students; Genesis Garner and Erin Gammill. They reflect on previous mission trips as well as share hopes for upcoming trips.
An Open Letter Regarding Cult Allegations
An open letter regarding an online campaign to discredit our college and ministry as a cult.