A Profound Challenge to Christian Identity
A Profound Challenge to Christian Identity
In today's higher education landscape, Christian students face a spiritual crisis that extends far beyond the campus quad. It's a reality observed by leaders both inside and outside the university.
From their roles at secular universities, both Quinton Englebright and Dr. Barry Sproles from the Florida Baptist Convention note that students are ill-prepared for a "cultural onslaught" and often lack a foundational understanding of their faith. As a result, they may "prioritize finances or fun over their faith" and find that the culture "is not supporting Christian identity."
The academic environment itself compounds this external pressure. Some of BUF’s very own faculty weighed in on this topic. Dr. Shawn Buice, Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry, cites an education that's more "indoctrination than education." Additionally, Dr. Tonya Gardner, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, points to "liberal agendas and ideologies" that cause students to "question Christianity and explore other religions." Assistant Professor Hannah Strickland adds that in a climate where "your truth" and "my truth" are equally valid, students feel a "pressure to conform" and may ultimately "disengage from Christianity." This crisis is not an abstraction; it is a reality for students who feel isolated and lack the community they once had.
The BUF Solution: An Education Rooted in Truth
Baptist University of Florida stands as a steadfast beacon against this spiritual erosion. We believe the solution is a Christ-centered university where education is about shaping the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit—created in God’s image.
This transformative experience is built on three pillars:
Biblically Integrated Curriculum: As Dr. Barry Sproles notes, our curriculum "breaks down the unbiblical divide between the sacred and secular," providing a constant perspective on how faith is integral to every area of life.
Intentional Mentorship: Our students have the unique benefit of praying, eating, studying, and worshipping with faculty and staff daily. Dr. Gardner shares a powerful story of a student who arrived "struggling with his identity in Christ" but, through one-on-one academic coaching and intentional mentoring, "blossomed" and found a sense of belonging and hope.
Godly Community: Students here find a community that cultivates spiritual resilience and conviction. They don’t go it alone. They are surrounded by a fellowship of believers who, in the words of Professor Strickland, provide the constant encouragement to grow in faith.
Our Outcome: A Lasting Legacy of Leadership
A BUF education equips students with the confidence and conviction to live out their calling with purpose, leading with humility and resilience even in the face of challenges.
The evidence of this transformative work is seen in the lives of our graduates. Dr. Gardner shares the story of two former students who returned to BUF to train the next generation of Christian counselors. This is the legacy of discipleship in action. Dr. Sproles offers a powerful example of a BUF graduate who is now a US Navy Chaplain, demonstrating that our students are prepared to advance God’s Kingdom in even the most challenging of contexts.
Your partnership is what makes this transformative work possible. By investing in BUF, you are helping to fund an education that equips Christian leaders to live out their calling with purpose, boldly advancing God’s Kingdom in a world that desperately needs their light.