![\"Trinity](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/doetd2kiw\/images\/w_662,h_441,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1702071907\/trinity_newsroom\/IMG_0491\/IMG_0491.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Written by Rebekah Badal\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAs we continue to help students feel that they belong, I want them to start recognizing who they are becoming: we become more like Christ every single day,\u201d says VP of Student Life Mark Muha.<\/p>\n For the past 125 years, Trinity International University has fulfilled its mission to prepare students to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, who engage in a Christian culture, lead others, learn, and work in the marketplace and ministry as Christ-followers by providing a gospel-centered education.<\/p>\n God\u2019s faithfulness toward this school is shown through the energy, care, challenges, and endeavors that the staff and professors have poured out to teach students the process of becoming like Christ and the value of Christ-honoring education through a posture of worship.<\/p>\n MORE THAN A DEGREE<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cChristian education is the process of becoming,\u201d said David Nonnemacher, an adjunct professor at TIU who mainly teaches One Mission Many Stories (IDS 180).<\/p>\n When he was a Ph.D. student, Nonnemacher found himself constantly sitting at a desk. After years of repetition, he began to feel his studies draining him of the passion once felt at the start. Then, he realized his desk was his altar. At that moment in his life, it was where he was supposed to be. Academia opened the door for worship\u2014work done for the glorification of God.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong><\/span>We answer the question of what education means in light of who God is and who we are.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n At Trinity, each degree and subject helps students grow spiritually. Education can be a part of students\u2019 sanctification. At non-Christian universities, students are taught how much income is needed or how far they should go to succeed. As a Christian institution, on the other hand, Nonnemacher says that Trinity \u201clargely views students as stewards with which to bless others, not just a resource we store for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n As a professor, Nonnemacher learned that students often fall into the mindset of thinking, \u201cI just want a degree, so I don\u2019t have to romanticize this class.\u201d In his class, Nonnemacher emphasizes that students don\u2019t need a degree to be valuable. Their true value can be found in Christ.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this class sets the stage for all the other classes at Trinity. In the IDS 180 class, One Mission Many Stories, all knowledge is God\u2019s knowledge. What does that mean? We answer the question of what education means in light of who God is and who we are.\u201d Whether it\u2019s IDS 180, a math class, or a science lab, this question applies to all Trinity students.<\/p>\n BECOMING BIBLICALLY\u00a0<\/strong>GROUNDED<\/b><\/p>\n Adjunct Professor of Music Charles King explains that his IDS 180 course is an introduction to Christian beliefs, and makes a case for the students. \u201cMy approach challenges the experience level of the class,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s clear when students are telling their story where they are at with their relationship with the Lord. I respect and honor where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor King presents students with an introduction to the Bible and asks them where they have issues with it. He compiles all their questions and discusses them. Whether the discussion topic is if Mary was a virgin or if the Bible supports slavery, King always guides his students to think for themselves on challenging topics.<\/p>\n \u201cI try to tailor it so it\u2019s personal and helps students become more engaged, not static,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n One Mission Many Stories is not solely academic; it is a personal course that helps students become biblically grounded and learn from others.The stories they hear, whether they themselves are grounded in their faith, struggling with it, or still exploring what it means, will impact them.<\/p>\n PRAYING FOR STUDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Art Appreciation instructor Jonghoon Park echoes the sentiments of his fellow professors. He says TIU\u2019s beautiful Christian community makes the college unique. This, in turn, develops leaders while keeping prayer in its rightful place as a major priority in Christian discipleship. Park also explains that as part of his Art Appreciation class, he emphasizes the importance of the big picture as well as the significance of the church\u2019s influence on art.<\/p>\n Education as worship applies not only to courses in Trinity\u2019s Bible and Ministry department, but to all degrees. Whether education, business, biology, or mathematics, Professors must invest time and intention in demonstrating their faith so students can witness how a Christian worldview fits into the marketplace.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span><\/strong>I pray the Lord would give myself and my students wisdom.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Education Department Director Professor Corapi puts it succinctly, saying: \u201cI am taking the everyday happenings in my classroom and I am bringing them to God. I am praying for my students. I am working off a theology that they are imago dei, so my treatment intentionally places value on them, their thoughts, and their actions.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Corapi takes time during ordinary, everyday moments to show her students how valuable they are to God\u2019s mission. Her hope is that when they enter the educational system, they will show that same love and care to their students, carrying out an act of worship.<\/p>\n Professor Bialek, a mathematics professor, says, \u201cI can explain math in class, but unless the Lord enables students to understand, my speaking is in vain. To be honest, I don’t always recognize this. As teachers, we are utterly dependent on the Lord. That\u2019s why in my opening prayer for each class, I pray the Lord would give myself and my students\u2019 wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n Students, too, cannot solve a math problem, finish a lab, or write the English paper that was due yesterday without depending on the Lord. They must posture themselves in worship as they continue their educational walk.<\/p>\n FAITH IN ATHLETICS<\/strong><\/p>\n These are just a few of the professors who spend their time and energy implementing faith and worship into their classrooms at Trinity International University. Students spend a great deal of time sitting in the classroom listening, learning, and growing in skill and, as we saw with Nonnemacher, the journey can take its toll. Acknowledgment and reassurance from professors that students are valuable is a great comfort and a reminder that higher education glorifies God\u2019s faithfulness.<\/p>\n Another area of worship is the athletic department’s work. Trinity coaches prioritize their athletes’ value and identity in Christ. Along with other TIU coaches, Coach Courtney Peay, MDiv, focuses on church development and leads weekly Bible studies and team devotionals. She has been here for three seasons and is the head coach for the TIU Women’s Basketball team.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span><\/strong>when we learn from a vertical, God-oriented mindset, it changes our perspective.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI read Scripture and the Holy Spirit leads me,\u201d she said. She reminds the women on the team that they are valuable despite the fact that \u201csociety does a great job showing we are not. I also have a lot of women of color who are already in the minority as a woman. And as 17-20-year-olds, they don\u2019t know who they are yet,\u201d she said. Coach Peay pressed on showing these valuable women how to trust God and that it will be the best decision they will ever make. SEEING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS<\/strong><\/p>\n Personally, I have attended Trinity International University for two semesters now, and I have continually seen God\u2019s unrelenting faithfulness. Whether I am drinking too much caffeine as I study Spanish at my desk, writing a paper, or working on a group project, I am aspiring my education towards Christ as worship. Giving up your desk as an altar can relieve your frustrations toward both God and yourself. Education is a posture of worship as you believe God is faithful to you.<\/p>\n Professors here continually invest in students, hold them accountable, and treat them as more valuable than just a degree. Trinity International University helps students in their walk with the Lord and has been doing so for the past 125 years, incredibly showing that education is worship.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u201cWe learn from horizontal love \u2013those around us\u2013 but when we learn from a vertical, God-oriented mindset, it changes our perspective,\u201d she said. She teaches her athletes how to open their hearts and how, although they can be frustrated with Jesus, his love does not go anywhere. As a coach, she is laying down a faith-based foundation, offering encouragement, and being mindful of where these various women have come from.<\/p>\n