Author: Andrea Estrada

Andrea Estrada

Harbor Genesis Christian College students will soon have other educational doors opened for them, allowing them to pursue careers outside of ministry and church leadership. They will have the ability to receive a bachelors or associates degree from a prestigious university for a discounted financial cost.

HGCC president Jeffry Caballero, Associate Dean of Faculty and Administrative Affairs Daveon Swan, and Director of Admissions Andrea Estrada recently met with officials of a regionally accredited university to finalize a transfer agreement. The agreement will allow current and future Harbor Genesis Students the option to transfer to the university for an associates or bachelors degree.

A quality education, for less

Harbor Genesis students already save a significant amount of money by attending the college. By taking a large portion of their courses at Harbor Genesis, students will not be as financially burdened as someone who decides to attend a four year degree outright.

“As always, students can continue their associates and bachelors studies with Harbor Genesis. This agreement allows students to consider careers outside of ministry, while obtaining a high quality Christian education,” said Estrada. “Students can transfer, graduate, and then move on to law school, become teachers, or create their own businesses. Each individual will know they have received the best education for their future.”

Harbor Genesis students studying at the online Christian College have the option to receive their masters degree from the university at a 25% discount, per the agreement. Harbor Genesis already has an agreement with Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary at a master’s level. This new agreement will provide even more choices for HGCC students.

“Once the agreement has been finalized, students can specify that they are interested in transferring, and will immediately be put on a transfer course,” said Estrada. “This special course is aligned with the university to allow for a smooth transition, and students will feel they are best prepared for the future.”

The transfer agreement is steps from being finalized. HGCC administration will reveal the name of the university as soon as possible. For more information, check back on this site regularly.

Andrea Estrada

While serving God as a pastor or in church leadership requires an individual to be completely committed, having a heart to serve others requires more than just a willing spirit. Pastors and ministers have found that more and more church leadership positions demand a degree in Christian Studies, Christian Counseling Certification, and Theological preparation.

As a matter of fact, missionaries and pastors have found that by offering Christian Counseling to communities, they are able to open doors to countries that were previously shut to them. A recent Mission Network News report announced that Slavic Gospel Association’s Eric Mock gave biblical counseling training for Russian pastors. These individuals minister in Far East Russia as part of the group’s Reach Russia Now initiative.

Biblical Counseling Russian Pastors
Photo Courtesy: Mission Network News

Accessing communities during crisis

Pastors were trained in how to respond to the area’s high drinking and suicide rates. They were also given tools to help the community deal with depression and addiction. That counseling opens the door to individuals who may have never heard of the hope Christ brings.

“It is helping Gospel missions. We’re helping groups from churches go out to unreached villages,” said Mock. He then explained that counseling was only a tool used to help in dire circumstances, but required tact to allow for the pastors to truly connect with community members.

This addresses a problem that many pastors, who have not received such training, can encounter when dealing with crises in local communities.

“Many times we may have the best of intentions when trying to help someone but are extremely limited because we have not invested in being better helpers, listeners, and tools that God can use,” said Melissa Quintanilla, Dean of Hispanic Studies at Harbor Genesis Christian College. “By taking a course in Christian counseling we invest our time to better understand ourselves, and learn how to understand the population we work with in our church and home.”

Biblical Counseling Certification Courses are crucial

Pastors and ministry leaders interested in developing their gifting in Christian Counseling can take online counseling courses through Harbor Genesis Christian College. Since the courses are offered online, students can take the courses at their leisure, instead of being bound to a traditional classroom schedule.

“God calls us to be the best administrators we can be with the time and resources He has given us,” said Quintanilla.