Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. This episode originally aired FEB 2025 Stephen Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College, talks about how his journey from classroom professor to institutional leader shaped his educational philosophy. He discusses the intentional design of RBC’s curriculum, blending theology and the liberal arts, and how their unique house system fosters community and discipleship. Stephen offers insights into balancing growth with mission fidelity and the importance of being faithful in both education and leadership. This episode is packed with inspiration for leaders navigating the complexities of biblical higher education curriculums. Join us as we discuss: [8:35] The transition from classroom professor to college president [16:14] How a hyper-focused curriculum impacts student life [20:34] Why capping enrollment builds community and accountability Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Logos Bible Software Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing by Laura Mae Martin Ligonier Ministries To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. This episode originally aired Oct 2024 Michael Lindsay, President of Taylor University, joins the show to share how the principles of grace and truth guide his leadership, especially in the turbulent times facing Christian higher education. Michael tells us why he believes the pandemic elevated expectations for the value proposition of biblical higher ed and how Christian leaders can turn these challenges into opportunities. He also provides insights into a successful fundraising campaign for some of Taylor's exciting projects, including community outreach and campus expansions. Tune in to hear how Taylor University is helping to shape the next generation of Christian leaders through discipleship initiatives. Join us as we discuss: [5:17] Finding the motivation in a college president’s work [13:16] How Taylor University is giving back to their community  [18:59] Discipleship and seeking counsel from your predecessors Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ABHE 78th Annual Meeting Hinge Moments: Making the Most of Life’s Transitions by Michael Lindsay Presidential Fellows Program - Taylor University To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. This episode originally aired April 2024 Jeremiah 17:7 says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Today we are having a conversation with Roger Parrott, the President of Belhaven University. With over 20 years of presidential experience, Roger wasn’t afraid to kick long-range planning out the door and he wants to help others do the same. Planning is good, but only when we continue to leave room for God to speak. In this episode, we dive into the keys to a successful university presidency. Join us as we discuss: [4:32] The current state of higher ed turbulence [16:00] Why you should abandon long-range strategic planning [21:39] Taking the critic’s perspective Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The Longview by Roger Parrott Opportunity Leadership by Roger Parrott To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. This episode originally aired Jan 2024 What does courageous leadership in higher education look like? It’s about utilizing situational styles. It’s about relying on faith to drive out fear. It’s time to get real about what it means to be courageous in biblical higher education. That’s why I’m joined by Todd Williams, President and CEO at Cairn University, a courageous leader who didn’t always envision himself at the forefront of a higher ed institution. In this episode, we delve into what it means to be a courageous leader. Join us as we discuss:  - Different styles of courageous leadership, from positional to situational (5:39) - The “romance” of leadership and why it can quickly burn out (9:36) - A historical example of situational leadership in the face of fear (16:41) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. Originally aired Jan 2024 Bridging the gap between local churches and Bible Colleges is essential to see success for both sides. It’s time to invest in the community around our students and come together towards a common goal – serving God. That’s why we’re talking to Mark Jobe, President of Moody Bible Institute. As a bi-vocational pastor, Mark offers a unique perspective from both sides of the pulpit. In this episode, we talk about the importance of getting your students and staff involved in the local community. Join us as we discuss:  - Tension between the academy and the church (8:00) - How we can best serve the local church (13:54) - Ways to connect your institution to surrounding churches (20:49) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Leading With Purpose Summer Series Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series designed to strengthen your leadership and renew your sense of mission. Every other week, you’ll hear one of the most-listened-to conversations from past seasons. Each episode offering practical encouragement and a fresh reminder of why Christ-centered higher education matters. Originally aired Oct 2023 Be it blind arrogance or a lack of accountability, it can be easy for church and academic leaders to allow pride to consume them and to point fingers when they fall. That’s why Bill Blocker, President of the College of Biblical Studies - Houston, believes the leadership journey should start by understanding that it’s not about you. God doesn’t care how talented you are — only that you’re available to use your gifts to lead and inspire others.    Bill shares how Christ called him from the legal industry to help equip others and what leading from the front with humility means to him.     Join us as we discuss: Measuring personal success in how you inspire others (6:11) What God cares about more than your abilities (11:43) Stumbling blocks that Christian leaders need to avoid (18:40)  To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How does theological education continue its mission amid war? Evan Hunter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-hunter-1172192/), Executive VP at ScholarLeaders International (https://www.scholarleaders.org/), joins us to share his experiences walking alongside seminaries and churches in Ukraine throughout the ongoing conflict. Drawing from more than eight visits to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, Evan reflects on what theological education looks like in a crisis, how seminaries have stepped up to serve as humanitarian hubs, and how the church in Ukraine is enduring deep losses while still growing in unexpected ways. From pastoral shortages to profound spiritual renewal, this episode explores what it means to teach, lead, and lament faithfully during wartime. Join us as we discuss: [2:09] Juxtaposing daily life with a constant wartime threat [8:36] The toll the war has taken on Ukrainian pastors and the church [17:49] How theological education has adjusted to the conflict [23:53] Why the church needs to temper fixing the world’s problems to listen Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Tavriski Christian Institute (https://tci.org.ua/campusfund/) (Kherson, Ukraine) Mesa Global (https://www.mesaglobal.co/) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=465ee623cf424281), or our website (https://www.abhe.org/), or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Old student recruitment methods are quickly becoming obsolete as we approach the demographic enrollment cliff. In this episode, Bart Caylor (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartcaylor/), President and Founder of Caylor Solutions (https://www.caylor-solutions.com/), makes a case for refining and expanding recruitment efforts in higher education.  Bart has advice on targeting older demographics, increasing focus on student retention, and raising efficiency through the use of AI, as well as mistakes he sees smaller schools make when trying to compete for prospective students’ attention. Join us as we discuss:  [3:17] The enrollment cliff and more serious issues for student recruitment [7:54] Why schools need a more disciplined approach to enrollment [11:52] Why it’s important to market towards students who are already enrolled [18:31] How AI is being used and misused on campuses Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The Higher Ed Marketer (https://thehigheredmarketer.com/podcast/) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=465ee623cf424281), or our website (https://www.abhe.org/), or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Accrediting and supporting Christian education in Africa comes with its own set of values and challenges unique to the continent.   Our guest, David Tarus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tarus-4978199b/?originalSubdomain=ke), Executive Director at The Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (https://acteaweb.org/) (ACTEA), shares the need to center African scholars and voices in their curriculum and why it's essential, not only for African institutions, but for the global theological community. David talks about how African schools face logistical hurdles in distributing homegrown texts and resources in sometimes hostile political environments, and why much can be gained from examining their resilience, community, and scholarship. Join us as we discuss: [1:54] How ACTEA accredits and supports schools in Africa [5:52] The importance of non-Western texts in international Christian schools [14:42] The challenge in distributing local African theological resources [28:45] How North American organizations can help African ministries Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (https://circle.org.za/) ACTEA video (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LHKJrx89dOWnd8MI-MoB4SQVs3wHOwql/view?usp=drive_link) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=465ee623cf424281), or our website (https://www.abhe.org/), or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Christian educational institutions all serve one Lord, but the way in which they serve their students varies from school to school.  Our guest and President of Free Lutheran Bible College. (https://flbc.edu/) Wade Mobley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-mobley-663ab7238/), suggests that there isn’t one correct model for Christian colleges to follow. However, it is important to consider your school’s individual identity and purpose when making decisions for its future.  Upholding a school’s identity, following new innovations in Biblical higher ed, and trying to manage the business side of education creates a lot of tension for presidents and school boards. Wade has suggestions and words of encouragement for new leaders struggling to find their path in our field. Join us as we discuss:  [7:19] How to establish your school’s identity on campus [16:42] Staying open to innovation while not chasing trends [23:26] Encouragement for new leaders struggling with their identity To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=465ee623cf424281), or our website (https://www.abhe.org/), or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.