It is an exciting time to be a part of Mid-America Christian University!
Our hallways are yet again bustling with new and returning students who are eager for the incredible year of learning and life change ahead. Several new professors have joined us as full-time faculty members, bringing with them a great deal of professional and personal experience to pass along to our eager students. We have also completed some exciting renovation projects on campus — if you happen to be in the neighborhood, I urge you to come by for a visit! I think you will like what you see.
In addition to these inspiring changes inside and outside of the classroom, we have a significant date to celebrate: this year, MACU turns 65 years old!
That is more than six decades of serving as a cornerstone for Christian education! Over these 65 incredible years, MACU has trained thousands of men and women to go out into the world as faithful and well-equipped servants of Christ. Our walls have birthed countless pastors, teachers, authors, athletes, business professionals, industry leaders, missionaries, musicians and more.
Although our course catalog has expanded quite a bit since our birth as South Texas Bible Institute in 1953, we remain committed to our early mission of preparing future ministers to serve the Church. That mission continues today through students like Brendan Napoli, a MACU senior majoring in Ministry Leadership with an emphasis in Pastoral Care.
Brendan didn’t grow up in the church — in fact, he had never heard of the Church of God before he stepped through our doors. But from the moment he came to our campus on a 2013 mission trip to assist with tornado cleanup in Moore, Oklahoma, he knew he belonged here.
“My plan wasn’t to go to college at all. I felt called to ministry, but I didn’t know what that meant or what I needed to do. All I knew was that MACU felt like home to me. I’ve seen other Christian universities where ‘Christian’ is in their name, but it isn’t really a value of the university. MACU is intentional about Christ. The MACU family is full of avid Christians who are doing everything they can to better their lives and use themselves for God.”
As he enters his final year of schooling, Brendan has left an indelible mark on the heart of this campus. He serves as a resident assistant, an environment he thrives in because of the opportunity to minister to and pray with the students he interacts with on a daily basis. Brendan was awarded the Odessa, Texas First Church of God Scholarship for $5,000 — a blessing he recalls came just in time.
“I don’t think I would have been able to have paid off my school bill without it. Right when I thought it was all going to crumble down, God provided for me right when I needed Him the most. Because I was able to continue my
collegiate career at MACU, I was given the opportunity to intern as an associate pastor at a blended church in Dallas last summer. Half of the congregation spoke English and the other half was Spanish-speaking; the church held services for both languages at the same time. That internship taught me a lot of things that defined my ministerial career. I thought I wanted to be a pastor at a megachurch, but I learned that God is actually calling me towards a smaller community. God used MACU and that internship to open my heart and lead me where He wants me to go.”
This year, Brendan will split his time between Oklahoma and Texas as he finishes up his studies to graduate in May. On the weekends, he plans to travel to Cedar Hill, Texas. There, he and his fiancée, Gina Grace, will fulfill their duties with Church on the Hill. Brendan and Gina will be married next year, after which they will continue to serve at the Church on the Hill by serving as full-time ministry leaders at the Church on the Hill campus in Rendon, Texas.
Without this institution, Brendan and countless students like him might have never had the opportunity to enter the ministry and lead lives to Christ. It is at once humbling and awe-inspiring to ponder the scope of our impact these past 65 years — and it is exciting to consider what the next 65 years have in store for our students, faculty and staff!
However, we cannot reach that milestone without your support. The cost of a college education is a high one, and many students rely on financial assistance to attend MACU. Would you stand with us today and make a commitment to supporting this school as we look to the future?
Even if you have never given before, we would ask that you consider giving MACU a birthday present of $65 to celebrate this landmark.
If you have supported MACU with your financial contributions in the past, I thank you. Your commitment to this institution through your prayers and financial gifts help make the difference in the lives of our students every day. I humbly ask that you continue your gracious giving by continuing to support our students this fall.
If you are able to give a gift of $100 or more, we would like to send you a copy of Views from the Mountain by the late Dr. James Earl Massey. As you may know, Dr. Massey was a Church of God visionary, accomplished author and a dear friend of our university. Our Massey Leadership Center was named in his honor.
We truly could not do this without you — and we look forward to spending another 65 years with you!
The Evangel Fund ensures...
Students First
Since our first concern is the student, we want to make education as affordable as possible. Without the Evangel Fund, each student's tuition would increase significantly.
Quality Education
We seek to provide facilities, faculty and equipment of the highest quality for our students.
The Evangel Fund makes possible advancement in such areas as:
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General Student Scholarships
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Academic Improvements
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Student Development Programs
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Service Opportunities
How can I give to MACU's Evangel Fund?
Online
This is the simplest and fastest way to donate to the Evangel Fund. Click our Give Now button to be directed to a form for an online donation.
Mailed Check or Cash
Drop a check in the mail, or bring it by our main office. We would love to speak with you in person and hear about why you are donating to the Evangel Fund.
ACH Transfer
You can now set up a direct transfer program with us online with scheduled payments so that each month your bank automatically transfers your gift to the Evangel Fund. This convenience eliminates the need for envelopes, stamps or checks.
Matching Gifts
You might work for a company that matches its employee's gifts. Companies that offer a matching-gift program will have a form available to employees that is returnable by the employee with the enclosed gift.
Annual Phone-A-Thon
Sept. 24 - Oct. 4 • 6 to 8 p.m. CST
When our students call each year and ask you to participate, please make a pledge. Many corporations and foundations look at the percentage of Alumni supporting the school as they consider their gift to you, so it's not the amount you give that matters, but your participation.
Non-Cash Charitable Donations
If you are considering some other kind of gift (appreciated stock, estate, gift-in-kind, etc.) just call us! We can help you with setting up those options as well. Checks should be made payable to the MACU Evangel Fund. MACU also accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover and AMEX.
Contact us to find out how you can support the Evangels of this world today:
Mid-America Christian University
University of Advancement
3500 SW 119th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73170
(405) 692-3191
