Ongoing developments in the consolidation of CBC, AGTS & Evangel University
SPRINGFIELD, MO — At a special meeting in June 2019, the Board of Trustees of Evangel University approved a resolution to establish The CBC Center for Vocational Ministry.
“The purpose of the center, as a living legacy of Central Bible College, is to enhance the training of ministers and missionaries for the 21st century across all areas of pastoral, chaplaincy, and missionary service from undergraduate through doctoral level programs,” said Dr. Carol Taylor, president.
The three Springfield-based schools of the Assemblies of God — CBC, AG Theological Seminary and Evangel University — consolidated in 2013.
The CBC Center will be led by Dr. Timothy Hager, dean of the seminary and vice president of Evangel University. A formal dedication will be held at Homecoming this fall.
“The Center will seek the counsel of AG ministry leaders to ensure that all of our ministry degree programs remain relevant in meeting the needs of equipping today’s ministers and missionaries,” said Taylor.
“This will be done through advisory group meetings, inviting ministry leaders to engage with current students, expanding internship opportunities, and hosting various seminars that will be open to all ministry leaders and students.”
Today there are 674 vocational ministry-focused students currently enrolled in one of 10 undergraduate programs, six masters degrees, and four doctoral degrees at Evangel and AGTS. An additional 117 students are enrolled in ministry minors, of which biblical studies is the largest. This makes ministry education the single largest area of study at the University today.
Honoring the legacy of CBC
The University has completed several highly-visible projects to honor the legacy of Central Bible College and its almost 100 years of ministerial training.
• This started in 2013 with the creation of a video that recounts the history of CBC, Evangel, and AGTS. It is featured on a continuous loop in the Heritage Room of the Riggs Hall Administration Building, along with specific photos, yearbooks and artifacts displayed in the room.
• “Speaking of yearbooks, we have digitized the CBC yearbooks starting with the first one in 1938, and they are uploaded to a CBC legacy page on the Evangel University website,” said Doug Jenkins, director of CBC alumni relations at Evangel.
• “In addition, more than 240 recorded chapel sermons, ranging from 1970 to 2009, have been digitized and uploaded, with more in the works. They can be heard on iTunes or Google Play,” said Jenkins.
“Names such E.S. Williams, Melvin Hodges, Charles Crabtree, C.M. Ward, Opel Reddin, T.F. Zimmerman, G. Raymond Carlson, Spencer Jones, Mark Batterson, David Grant, David Wilkerson, J. Robert Ashcroft, William Menzies and Stanley Horton are represented.”
• Also in 2013, members of Evangel’s Athletics Department took the initiative to secure the trophies and sports memorabilia from the CBC field house. They created a prominent display in an Ashcroft Center trophy case, where they have been on display ever since.
• On campus, Evangel replicated the CBC Walk of Faith pavers and placed them, along with the CBC Bowie Hall cornerstone, at the entrance of Spence Chapel, facing Glenstone Avenue.
• With funding from donors, the University created a Prayer Garden in 2016 with the original CBC arch at its entrance. It is located near the north intersection of Spence Chapel and the Barnett Fine Arts Center. A dedication video was produced.
• Ongoing communication has been strengthened by the creation of the monthly e-newsletter, The Centralite.
• Other special CBC-centric endeavors include hosting the CBC alumni reception at each General Council and scheduling specific opportunities for enrichment and fellowship at the joint Homecoming each fall.
About Dr. Hager
Dr. Hager brings a unique blend of academic, ministry and executive-level experience to his position.
Prior to joining the Evangel–AGTS family, he served as the chief operating officer of the General Council of the Assemblies of God for two years and was administrator of field operations for U.S. Missions (AGUSM) for seven years prior to that.
“I am passionate about the development of excellence in relationships and excellence in performance,” said Hager. “My inspiration is found in the scripture that says in part, ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.’” (Hebrews 10:24, NIV)
Tim has pastoral and district leadership experience in Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia. Concurrently, he has taught college, master’s and doctoral courses for more than 20 years, in the classroom and online, in the U.S. and abroad.
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SIDEBAR
MINISTRY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS at EU/AGTS
Traditional Undergrad programs: *
- Biblical Studies (A.A.)
- Intercultural Studies (A.A.)
- Biblical Languages
- Biblical Studies
- Children’s Ministries
- Church Leadership
- Intercultural Studies (Missions)
- Philosophy
- Preaching
- Youth Ministries
Adult Studies programs (degree completion):
- Bachelor of Science in Church Ministries (online)
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Pastoral Leadership (hybrid)
- Master of Leadership and Ministry*
- Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (online and seated)
- Master of Theology
- Doctor of Ministry
- Doctor of Applied Intercultural Studies
- Ph.D. Intercultural Studies
- Ph.D. Biblical Interpretation and Theology
*Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree can do so in just five years (bachelor’s degree + one year for a master’s degree) through our fast track program.
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