Let’s hear from Austin, a Biblical studies major with an occupational focus in IT from Indiana. Recognizing a need to shift traditional learning paradigms in the classroom, The Institute for G.O.D. makes it so students learn their content at their own pace, anywhere they wish, whenever they want, then show up to class to workshop what was learned. Show us what that looks like, Austin.
– Thanks, Alex. I did not think I was cut out for college. I struggled academically in high school, but after going on a mission trip to Costa Rica, I saw how much need was in the world and I realized that I wanted to help the poor, but I just didn’t know how. After I visited The Institute, I instantly felt at home. Students and faculty passionate about living out God’s Word in community, strategizing service to the poor and caring for one another, it was beautiful. Classes are super challenging but unbelievably rewarding. Over 90% of the Bible is taught in the undergrad, and scripture is the foundation for even our professional development courses. When I decided on IT as my occupational focus, it’s God’s Word that now gives my work meaning. President Garner is a visionary guy who saw the academic needs of Gen Z and then flipped the classroom. He and faculty turned classes into episodic videos and podcasts so students like myself could learn content at their own pace. I mean, I can rewind at any time and hear that new vocab again and then come to class ready to engage in an interactive workshop processing what I’ve learned. Professors host study parties, give one-on-one tutor sessions, pray with us, dream with us. They’re kindhearted, caring people who’ve helped me overcome my academic hurdles even to serve in Africa and the Philippines. From struggling academically in high school and not knowing what to do about the world’s needs, I’m a completely different person now. I now learn for others and I now know what to do to contribute to making the world a better place. Oh, and by the way, that feeling of being at home, it’s never left me. What’d you think, Alex?
– I think that’s a great feeling to have, Austin. Learning the Bible seems to have really given you confidence and direction. What a joy for your work to take on meaning and make a difference for a world in need. Thank you.
Okay, let’s meet Brooke and Mark, both in their first year at The Institute for G.O.D. and from Tennessee. Here community life is not just a department on campus, it’s the curriculum within the curriculum. From housing to meals, chapel and events, community life is intentionally organized with the goal of developing lifelong friendships for all students. Tell us more, guys.
– Yeah, thanks Alex. After high school, all I knew was that I wanted to learn the Bible and more of what God had planned for my life.
– I already had a college degree and no intentions of going back to school, but after experiencing the Bible teaching and community life at The Institute, I knew I had to apply.
– [Brooke] When I showed up at school, we didn’t start classes right away. Instead, we spent an entire week getting to know each other at a pool party on the lake, at the Nashville Sounds baseball game. It’s times like these that help me feel more at ease so I could enjoy being a student.
– [Mark] Being a student is unique here because student life is weaved into the fabric of community life. Faculty, staff, alumni, and even their families all live in our neighborhood. It’s like a village. Our dorms are actual homes and there’s a K through 12 school, churches, recreational activities, and a lot of opportunities to love your neighbor, all within walking distance.
– Weekly chapel services with worship and speakers, worship nights, late night events, we get consistent quality times together, working together, learning together.
– [Mark] Eating together, praying together.
– [Brooke] Living together.
– [Mark] Serving together.
– [Brooke] All of it creates solid relationships because we are in each other’s lives, seeing the ups and downs, genuinely making lasting friendships.
– An on campus coffee shop, garden, meals created by the team from Califarmia, one of Nashville’s most popular food trucks, we eat well too. They even put on special events like the Hot One’s wings competition and master chef.
– [Brooke] Healing friendships, personal and spiritual growth have all come as a result of my experience of the community at The Institute.
– Friendships I’ve made here are gonna last a lifetime because they’re built on God’s Word.
– [Brooke] Hey guys, how are you?
– It is so good.
– [Brooke] Is it good?
– Yeah, so good.
– , Mark. You and Brooke have some really special friendships here. It’s amazing how this school started with some best friends in California wanting to serve God and serve the poor and is now a movement of friends in five regions of the world doing that very thing, cheers.
I’d like to introduce you to Gerron, a community development major who actually grew up in this neighborhood where The Institute for G.O.D. relocated in 2008 called Hopewell. This institution believes you have to have a strong local presence to make a lasting global impact, and that kind of ministry starts right where you live. Tell us more, Gerron.
– All right, Alex. I grew up in Hopewell. Before The Institute came into the neighborhood, the place was ugly and hostile. Homes were run down and the streets were run by pit bulls, drug dealers, fights and fear. I wasn’t even allowed to play in my own front yard and not a single food delivery service would enter into my neighborhood. But after The Institute came, faculty and staff started knocking on doors, sharing how they wanted to see my neighborhood change. They made friends with the families in the neighborhood bringing dinner, doing landscaping, improvements and repairs to homes, inviting kids outdoors for activities. That was the first time I was given permission to go play outdoors. The college runs a summer camp called Camp Skills, and when I was 11, I participated in it and it changed my life. Not only did I get outta my home, but I started learning valuable life skills. My counselors, college students took a genuine interest in me and my development. One of the first things I learned about God was that He was in the business of ordering chaos. Hopewell was a dull, low spirited place. You never saw kids outside and people even called it derogatory names like Dopewell, it was chaotic. But now people are welcomed by such a lively spirit from the Lord, and it’s one of the most sought after places to live in this part of Nashville. The Institute produces people who live on God’s Word in any context with any people. They meet needs and they build community. Hopewell is a wonderful place to live now. My professors live here, my friends, and even some of the alumni, and now as a college student, I’m a counselor to kids like me in my own neighborhood. Essentially chaos ordered. Let’s go, Alex.
– Gerron, my man, you are a living testimony of the work The Institute for G.O.D. has been able to do in developing communities. I’m sure witnessing such a transformation of the place you grew up in was one thing, but now getting to be part of that change is totally another. Thank you for sharing your story.