Paul asked the church to “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). One way we can do good is to do all things for God, with a heart and intention to serve God’s higher purposes through our everyday lives.

Almost 40 years ago, Christian Heritage College (CHC) was started as a good and godly alternative to university that provided young people a place to be educated and encouraged their faith and Christian values rather than challenged and demeaned them. Today, the disparity between CHC and secular universities seems wider than ever.

Can the Christian tertiary experience really be that good? CHC offers nationally accredited degrees in Teaching, Counselling, Human Services, Business and Ministry all with a biblical worldview. This isn’t a new concept. Harvard and Yale were started as ministries of the church but departed from their original mission. CHC is determined to remain unashamedly Christian.

CHC is asking ‘how good’ could your experience at CHC be in 2024? They want to emphasise the importance of good and godly decisions in higher education. We need our Christian schools to remain Christian with godly teachers. We need counsellors who can help with good and godly counsel. Human services workers need to reach the hurting with good and godly help. We need business people to make wealth in good and godly ways. And we need to raise the next generation of Christian ministers who know the goodness of God.

This is why CHC’s educational pillars include:

1.     Academic rigour: Christian higher education adheres to the same quality and content standards as many public universities. It challenges students to think critically and analytically about various disciplines and topics. It also helps students to develop skills and knowledge that are relevant and useful for their future careers.

2.     Faith-based learning: Christian higher education situates students’ learning in a faith-based context. It enables students to explore their faith in a safe and respectful environment where they can learn from Christian traditions and Scriptures. It also encourages students to engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers and faculty, who share a common vision and purpose.

3.     Values and ethics: Christian higher education fosters a sense of morality and responsibility in students. It teaches them to align their actions with their beliefs and to respect the dignity and worth of every human being. It also prepares them to deal with ethical dilemmas and challenges in their personal and professional lives with integrity and compassion.

4.     Community outreach: Christian higher education provides opportunities for students to serve others and to make a positive difference in the world. It develops students’ social justice awareness and their practice of the Biblical principle of giving to receive. It also enriches students’ lives by exposing them to diverse cultures and perspectives and by building relationships with people from different backgrounds and walks of life.

5.     Spiritual growth: Christian higher education nurtures students’ spiritual development and well-being. It helps students to deepen their relationship with God and to discover their purpose and calling in life. It also supports students’ emotional and mental health by providing them with pastoral care, counselling services, and prayer and worship opportunities.

Christian higher education is not merely an education. It is a transformational journey that shapes students’ minds, hearts and souls. It equips students to impact their world for good and for God while also growing in their own faith and character. Christian higher education is a valuable investment that can benefit students for life and the lives of those around them.

How good could your 2024 be at CHC?