Evangel University's mission is to provide opportunities for Assemblies of God individuals to develop academically and intellectually in an accredited Christian liberal arts educational program and to inspire them within a Pentecostal environment to develop spiritually, emotionally, and culturally in order to use their chosen careers to serve both God and humankind.
For Christians, Jesus Christ is the most important fact in history--not only in world history, but in the personal history of each individual. Christians seek to be Christ-like in obedience, purpose, motivation, word, and deed. Instead of serving their own self-interests, they willingly seek to do God's will as servants. As a reminder to the entire University community, the theme "Christ is Lord" is prominent as our common purpose and goal.
The following assumptions are basic to the Evangel University program:
Objectives and goals fall into two categories: some can be measured through the collection of statistical data; others cannot be empirically measured, but they still encourage the community to work toward ideals. This latter type is often found within institutions like ours that emphasize ideas, values, awareness, and appreciation. Evangel University has the following objectives for all of its students:
To fulfill the above objectives, Evangel University provides a living and learning experience within the Judeo-Christian tradition that challenges and fosters the development of the whole person. We emphasize the following areas of development:
Evangel University is committed to help its students find their places in the plan of God. In concrete terms, students should acquire an awareness of the relationship of education to a personal conversion based on faith in Jesus Christ. Students should recognize and experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They are also challenged to acquire an understanding of the Scriptures, theology, and missions and to live Spirit-filled lives. They will then be able to take places of leadership and effectively witness in the church, in the home, and throughout the world.
Through chapel services, Biblical Studies courses, Christian service activities, and residence hall spiritual life programs, students are given opportunities to re-examine their values, internalize their beliefs, establish spiritual habits, and make new commitments of faith that will continue to grow throughout their lives.
Evangel University encourages each student to be intellectually curious, to think creatively, to achieve mastery of essential facts, and to use these facts in reaching logical conclusions and making choices that are compatible with a theistic worldview. Ideally, students will discover their abilities and develop them to the maximum. Each student should make a commitment to a lifetime pursuit of truth and new knowledge.
Planned opportunities for intellectual challenge exist outside the formal classroom. Nationally-known lecturers are often brought to campus for departmental lectureships. In addition, departmental honorary societies and clubs contribute to and encourage academic and professional learning, while residence hall programs also participate in academically related activities.
Students who need to improve their study skills, reading speed, and comprehension can find help in the Academic and Career Development Center. To augment students' intellectual and academic development, the University also provides special opportunities for growth. As part of EU's emphasis on international and multicultural studies, we provide both a short-term and a full-semester Washington Studies Program, faculty-exchange programs that bring other faculty to the campus and permit Evangel faculty to teach abroad, opportunities for various majors to complete overseas internships (including a portion of the student teaching experience), and opportunities for students to earn credit toward an Evangel degree by studying abroad.
In a Christ-centered environment, one's social life should function at its highest and best level. This area of development is assisted by ESGA (Student Government), the Activities Board, class officers, residence hall boards, and campus clubs and organizations. The Office of Student Development coordinates these events. Planned activities help students develop social skills to prepare them for situations they will face in their business or professional lives. Dating and courtship are important at a Christian university. Many events and activities on campus, both informal and formal, encourage the development of friendships and personal relationships. Engaged couples are offered a seminar to help them prepare for marriage.
We want our students to live joyfully and effectively as they apply biblical principles to their daily lives. We encourage them to develop healthy self-awareness and self-esteem, to be realistic in their self-appraisals, and to understand that they are children of God. We also want them to mature emotionally, make sound choices, be fulfilled in their personal relationships, and enjoy serving others.
Evangel is also concerned about the physical well-being of each student. Because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, a student needs to realize how important it is that the body be given proper care through nutrition, rest, sleep, exercise, and recreation. Although we reject drug and chemical abuse of the body, it is also un-biblical to abuse or neglect the body in other ways. EU encourages physical well-being and physical activities through varsity sports, intramural athletic activities, and regular exercise programs. A continuous intramural program throughout the year exists for both men and women and for both on-campus and off-campus students. In addition, the campus nurse practictioner provides both health care and educational services through the Wellness Center. The prevention of physical problems is an important part of our ongoing commitment to wellness.
Evangel University tries to enrich students' lives by providing them with many vital skills. While students are developing in the areas listed above, they also are establishing the paths they will take in their career choices. The selection of vocation and the development of appropriate skills are critical in fulfilling God’s call on our lives and using the gifts God has given to each of us.
A theistic worldview provides an integration of the arts with the Christian life. We believe that art, music, theatre, and literature are an important part of God’s world, and we learn more about Him as we expand our understanding and appreciation of the fine arts. Through the direction of the University Artists and Lectureships Committee, performing artists come to the campus for concerts, dramatic performances, art exhibits, and lectureships. During the year, the Department of Music presents a variety of concerts and faculty and student recitals. The Theatre area also presents faculty- and student-directed dramatic works.