Samford’s Department of Christian Ministry offers an interdisciplinary approach to ministry or mission training. Engaging students from across the Samford campus, the new department is equipping individuals to serve the church and missions as part of their life-long dedication to disciplemaking. The department is also home to Samford’s long-time Ministry Training Institute which provides ministry training to churches and their leaders throughout the Southeast.
Introducing Samford University’s accelerated bachelor of arts (BA) to master of divinity (MDiv) program. This program allows a limited number of select students to complete requirements for both Samford degrees in a minimum of six years rather than the typical minimum of seven years. The unique professional pathway is available to highly qualified Howard College of Arts and Sciences students majoring in biblical studies, religion and religion with a concentration in ministry leadership, and to Samford School of the Arts students majoring in Christian ministry.
Major
Christian Ministry Major
We live in a unique time, one in which we’re seeing changes in our cultural landscape that are challenging the church to its core. Along with these shifts, however, come great opportunities to reach our world for Jesus Christ in new and innovative ways. Unlike any other time in Christian history, people from all walks of life are utilizing their gifts, skills, passions and creativity in the church and on the mission field to be salt and light in the world. The Christian Ministry program is designed to equip these committed people for the work of ministry and missions through a biblically grounded, missionally focused curriculum.
Learn More
Minors
Church and Culture Minor
Samford University’s Department of Christian Ministry now offers a 20-hour ministry-based minor called Church and Culture. This new minor—an abbreviated version of the Christian Ministry major—is designed for the student who desires to pursue a major in another area while also preparing for ministry or for graduate studies in ministry. The coursework for the Church and Culture minor helps prepare students to engage culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they seek to fulfill The Great Commission. Particularly helpful for students who may feel called to church-based ministry, church planting or parachurch ministries, the Church and Culture minor serves as a great complement to a number of majors.
Intercultural Engagement Minor
Samford University offers an 18-hour Intercultural Engagement minor designed to prepare students to be marketplace professionals and global disciple makers wherever they may be employed in our multicultural world. In this program of study, students are taught to connect their chosen majors, marketable skills, passions and interests with biblically grounded and missionally focused training for Kingdom service. Interested in learning how your major may be used in the marketplace as you make disciples of all nations—in Alabama, across the United States, or throughout the world? If so, then the Intercultural Engagement minor is for you!
Scholarships
Samford University offers a wide range of scholarships for incoming students. Once enrolled in the Christian Ministry program, upper classman have access to additional scholarship opportunities. To find out more about these scholarships, contact Scott Guffin at slguffin@samford.edu.
Faculty and Staff
Kevin Blackwell
Assistant to the President for Church Relations, Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute
126 Chapman Hall
Scott Guffin, PhD
Associate Professor and Executive Director of Christian Ministry
Department of Christian Ministry
122 Chapman Hall
Julia B. Higgins
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry
Department of Christian Ministry
128 Chapman Hall
J.D. Payne
Professor
Department of Christian Ministry
130 Chapman Hall
Dedra Phillips
Administrative Assistant
Department of Christian Ministry
124 Chapman Hall
