Intercultural Studies Major

You sense God's leading to engage the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You are comfortable and very much at home among people of different cultures and ethnicities. You are stirred and burdened by human need around the world. For you, it is not enough just to advocate for relief and provision; you want to participate in being part of the solution. You tend to read the Scriptures, and to view current events, with an eye to the biblical message of missions. You are always the first to volunteer for mission projects and travel. When you think about your future, cross-cultural ministry is always your first thought.

If this describes you, then the intercultural studies degree at North Greenville University may be the best option for you. Here, NGU's Intercultural Studies Department faculty members are prepared and willing to help you begin a successful career as a missionary.

Major Description 

As an intercultural studies major at NGU, you will spend much of your time involved with volunteer mission projects, international field immersion experiences, mission research, NGU's annual Global Missions Conference, and guided local community outreach. You will learn about cross-cultural communication, mission strategies, biblical teaching and application, critical thinking and communication through writing, and cultural immersion and adaptation, as well as how to apply this knowledge in your own missionary work.

By your senior year, you will have developed categories for thinking about and engaging with the world both theologically and cross-culturally.

Ultimately, the intercultural studies degree will provide a strong education based on a biblical worldview that will prepare you for a variety of missions-related pursuits.

Curriculum

The curriculum within the Intercultural Studies Department at NGU will prepare you for excellence in global missionary service. You will begin with foundational courses in mission theology, history, strategy, and methodology. You will then progress to studies in cross-cultural communication, cultural anthropology, evangelism, and church planting. You will also put your training into practical field experience through a month-long, international mission practicum.

As you continue through the program, you will develop a clear understanding of the biblical mandate to go and encounter the nations with the gospel. Furthermore, you will gain the tools necessary to serve cross-culturally with greater understanding of the Bible and culture, along with personal and spiritual convention.

Faculty Strengths

Each of the Intercultural Studies Department faculty members trained at some of the finest educational institutions in America, where they earned one or more postgraduate degrees. Additionally, each faculty member brings several years of prior mission ministry field experience to the classroom. Together, excellent formal training and the wisdom born of field service combine to make the Intercultural Studies Department's faculty of the highest quality.

Tracks / Concentrations

There are no tracks or concentrations for this major available at this time.

Minors

At NGU, we offer minors to complement your major. Each minor requires a minimum of 18 semester hours, which in some cases may even be used to meet the elective requirements for your major. View the full list of minors.

Electives

• Arabic, as well as other foreign languages
• Biblical language courses
• Church-Planting
• English as a Second Language
• International Cross-Cultural Church-Planting
• Introduction to Language/Linguistics
• Jesus and the Missionary Task
• Paul the Missionary

Career Opportunities

• ESL Teacher
• Humanitarian Organization Worker
• Ministry Worker
• Missionary
• Missions Agency Worker
• Pastor

Postgraduate Studies

• North Greenville University
  
• Fuller Theological Seminary
• Golden Gate Theological Seminary
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
• Midwestern Theological Seminary
• New Orleans Theological Seminary
• Southeastern Theological Seminary
• Southwestern Theological Seminary
• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Potential Employers

• Avant Missions
• Baptist Convention of New England
• Black Forest International School in Germany
• Connecticut Church Planters Network
• Innovo Publishing LLC
• International Mission Board
• North American Mission Board
• SEND International
• Three Rivers Baptist Association
• U.S. Government
• Wycliffe Bible Translators

International Field Immersion Experience

Each student will complete a required, one-month-long service on an international field under supervision of university personnel and qualified field missionaries.

NGU L.I.G.H.T. Teams

Every year, NGU hosts several global, cross-cultural mission trips. Under the supervision of the Center for Cross-Cultural Engagement and Global Leadership, a variety of international mission trips are available during the break periods both between and during semesters.

Internships

The Intercultural Studies Department works closely with students to secure meaningful internships within churches, mission agencies, and field-based mission sites.
 

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Program Objectives

• Serve in cross-cultural ministry with an unsurpassed level of biblical integrity and cultural intelligence.

• Think critically about issues of mission strategy and contextual methodologies.

• Adapt more readily to a variety of geographic and cultural challenges inherent to the process of acculturation

• Offer reputable mission-sending agencies a highly informed and intelligent mission practitioner.