NEW BETHEL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY: WHERE FAITH, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY MEETS.

Education 

Education for persons called by God to grow in their Christian walk and to serve in ministry for the advancement of the gospel, whether personal, volunteer, part-time, or full-time.

Development 

The development of the student’s knowledge of the Bible and spiritual formation to enable building a worldview and way of life rooted in and centered around Jesus Christ.

Cultural Relevance

The expansion of students’ skills and understanding of their call and gifts for the advancement of effective ministry in diverse cultural contexts.

Leadership & Mentorship

Understand the meaning and explore the importance of relational ministry utilizing a local mentor who encourages and models holistic improvement for ministry.

Credentialed

Education to achieve the necessary credentials and recognition for ministry opportunities worldwide.

Resources 

Learning resources to support study and information literacy.

Professionals

Qualified and credentialed instructors who are trustworthy in teaching and guiding their students in their personal and professional ministry preparation.

At New Bethel Christian University (NBCU), we strive to provide quality education rooted in Christian values. Our mission is to empower students to achieve their academic and personal goals while fostering a supportive community.

New Bethel Christian University (NBCU) is committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the oneness of Christians, and the evangelization of the world. Since the unity of the church is created and maintained through a common faith in Jesus Christ, NBCU looks to the inspired biblical record for the foundation of its faith.

• We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• We believe the Bible to be the inspired and the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
• We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and atonement through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal and literal second coming in power and glory.
• We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he was tempted by Satan and fell, and that, because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary for salvation.
• We believe that salvation is through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life and by whom the Church is empowered to carry out Christ’s great commission.
• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the saved to the resurrection of life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

1. To develop a vital Christian experience and a mature,       wholesome personality.
2. To give each student a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and an understanding of the Christian faith.
3. To broaden the general education of the student as a Christian citizen and Christian worker.
4. To arouse a keen realization of his responsibility to present Christ to a lost world.
5. To prepare students to serve in some sphere of Christian service.
6. To develop the abilities of the student to express the message of God by word and life.
7. To foster Christian culture in terms of refinement and social attitudes and skills.

New Bethel Christian University does not discriminate based on biological sex, race, disability or national origin. As a religious institution, NBCU reserves the right to  make policies and decisions about employees and students on the basis of religious criteria. 

New Bethel Christian University was originally established in 2004 as Law of Grace Educational Research and later re-organized  in the State of Missouri as an online non-profit private religiously affiliated and controlled organization under the auspices of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of St. Louis, Missouri. Its foundation is set in several decades of local church and para-church discipleship ministry and leadership development, reaching back almost 40 years.

God planted a vision in the heart and mind of university founder, Eric Mason, for a university with global reach that would partner with the Church to equip and launch Christian leaders in their own unique location, culture, economy, and language. Servant Leaders Mark C. Benjamin, Baron Wilson, Sonja Vauters, Ivan Gaston and Robert Howard encouraged Eric Mason to act upon his vision. Beyond that, the vision was to use each of those dynamics, with the best of modern higher education tools and design, as catalysts, not challenges.

Since its launch, the university is seeking to develop strategic transfer agreements with several regionally accredited Christian university partners, continued to grow a network of frontline ministry partners, developed new undergraduate and graduate programs and began delivering all-Spanish language courses and programs throughout via our partnership with Servant Leaders.

www.newbethelstl.com

The New Bethel Christian University (NBCU) currently operate as an integral component of the parent church, the operations are inseparable.  We herein state clearly that the parent church and the Christian University are one cohesive entity.

NBCU is a online (directed-study)non-profit private religiously affiliated and controlled organization under the auspices of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of St. Louis, Missouri with the specific mission to train clergy for our organization in aspects of theology, divinity, biblical history, teachings of the church, search for faith, church formation, proper dress and sanctuary protocols, sermon/homily design and presentation, ethics, religious philosophy, morality, shepherding and outreach.

This organization does not claim, real or imagined, that the training is designed for any organization outside of the parent church or associated organizations. Within Independent churches, if one so desires to recognize our training precepts, it is their right to recognize this organization. NBCU does reserve the right to seek membership, accreditation and/or partnerships with religious accrediting and membership organizations.

NBCU is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation is “a review by your peers” that ensures that you are offering a quality program. The U.S. Department of Education is not a peer of NBCU.

Government-recognized accreditation is not necessary for the religious vocations we are training people in, which include Biblical Studies, Christian Arts, Christian Counseling, Christian Entrepreneurship, Christian Leadership, Divine Healing, Divinity, Intercessory Prayer, Ministry, Missions and Evangelism, Pastoral Ministry, Prophetic Ministry, Theology, Worship Ministry, and Youth Ministry. People can function and hold jobs in all of these professions without government-recognized accreditation.

Individuals seeking employment in government-licensed positions such as public-school teachers, state-licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, and non-church-related counselors definitely need government-recognized accredited degrees. Generally, people working in ministry positions do not need a government-accredited degree. In fact, a number of churches take a stand against the Church voluntarily placing itself under government regulations.

Under the laws of the United States of America and the State of Missouri the NBCU offers degrees of ‘Theological Nature Only’. Under legal precedence in the United States this practice is beyond refute.

Our curriculum is designed for online and directed-study so that a student can progress through the materials and hands on training at a pace conducive to their secular life and general learning capacity. 

It is herein declared that NBCU is tuition free but do require administrative fees. It is integral to the church and operates as part of the parent church. The operations are based on a Free Will Tithe. The tithe is made to the parent church, of free will, and is not to be construed as payment for a service, real or imagined. Therefore, there is no implied contract or agreement, real or imagined.

One-Time Administrative Fee: $350.00

Accreditations:

International Association of Bible Schools and Seminaries (IABCS).

The International Accreditation Board for Marketplace Ministry (IABMM).

Officers

Eric Mason

Founder, President & CEO

Chairman of Trustees

Ex-Officio

Mark C. Benjamin

Vice Chairman of Trustees

Ex-Officio

Sonja M. Vauters

Executive Vice President

Secretary of Trustees

Ex-Officio

Ivan A. Gaston

Senior Vice President, Provost & Academic Dean

Ex-Officio

Jonas N. Strickland

Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management 

Registrar & Librarian

Ex-Officio

Robert D. Howard

Vice President & Dean of Students

Ex-Officio

John E. Beckwith Jr.

Special Ambassador & Senior Advisor to the President

Ex-Officio

Niecy Davis

Senior Advisor to the President

Ex-Officio

Shawn Williams

Senior Advisor to the President

Ex-Officio

Members

Darryl S. Baker

Eddie L. Chandler Sr.

Jamie C. Dennis

Darne A. Guest

Matthew Jamison

Lawrence R. Johnson

Ronald B. Jones Jr.

Velma J. Mason

Rachel D. Robinson

Jahmai Stokes

John H. Whitney 

Baron I. Wilson

Terry L. Wilson

We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate online directed-study programs in various areas of Christian studies. Our studies are designed to assist students as they pursue success in Christian ministry and service.

This organization does not claim, real or imagined, that the training is designed for any organization outside of the parent church or associated organizations. Within the Independent Churches, if one so desires to recognize our training precepts, it is their right to recognize this organization. NBCU does reserve the right to seek membership, accreditation and/or partnerships with religious accrediting and membership organizations.

Congratulations to our graduates. Commencement is the culminating event of a journey and academic career. Graduation candidates should follow the procedures below. Requirements for Graduation:

1. Satisfactory completion of required semester credit hours and the hours properly.
2. The prescribed Departmental and major requirements must be fulfilled, including approved electives, with an average of not less than “C” in the total program of studies, or a grade point
3. The student must show evidence of high Christian character and soundness in the faith and satisfactorily meet the practical Christian work requirements.
4. The student must show evidence of sincere devotion and zeal for Christian service, and 
5. All administrative fee obligations to the college must be met before graduation.

The satisfactory completion of prescribed courses with the proper number of credit hours and grade points does not guarantee graduation. The student must exemplify worthiness of graduation from New Bethel Christian University in all of his traits as well as prove his merit in his chosen academic field. The Faculty, Administration, or Trustee Board reserves the right to deny graduation to any student whose traits, attitude, character, testimony and/or academic achievement are contrary to the regulations and standards of New Bethel Christian University.

NBCU reserves the right to expel a student for the following  reasons: evidence of violation of the terms and conditions,  violation of academic integrity and honesty, violation of the  cheating, plagiarism, or course failure policy, or violation of the  code of conduct and student expectations policies. The  administration will investigate the allegations first and then notify the student. If the accusations are proven to be true, the student may be expelled from NBCU. The student will be notified  of his/her disciplinary action or expulsion by an email from the Registrar’s Office.  Registrar@nbcustl.org.

What is cheating?   Cheating is finding out the content of quizzes before taking the quiz. Cheating is prohibited at NBCU. DO NOT discuss quiz questions and answers with other students. DO NOT use a different NBCU account to see quiz questions or answers in advance. That is cheating.  May family members or study groups learn together?  Yes, students may discuss videos and articles together, but a student should not take quizzes together or share any information about quizzes with one another. Each student must earn his or her own grade on a quiz, not get quiz help from someone else.  How is cheating detected?   NBCU computer servers track student activity. This  information is analyzed for evidence of cheating. Any  suspicious patterns are reported to the Registrar and the necessary action(s) are taken.  What is the penalty for cheating on quizzes? Any student found guilty of cheating will fail the class and will be expelled from NBCU. All diplomas will be revoked.  Someone who cheats is not honest or trustworthy enough to be a leader in the church of Jesus Christ. Can I appeal a decision to expel me?  If a student believes the charges of cheating are not accurate, they may appeal to the Registrar. After  consideration of the case and any further information the student provides, the Registrar will make a final decision on whether he/she will remain a student at NBCU  or be expelled.   

Plagiarism Policy: What is plagiarism?  Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas without identifying the source, leaving the impression that the words or ideas are your own.  What are some examples of plagiarism?  1. Submitting a paper written by someone else, but identifying yourself as the author.  2. Copying and pasting material from the Internet into your paper, presenting it as your own wording and not  saying where the material came from.  3. Copying sentences or paragraphs from a book or article without quotation marks and without giving credit to the author.  4. Summarizing or paraphrasing blocks of material from a source but not crediting the source in your paper.  What's wrong with plagiarism?  Plagiarism is a form of stealing and lying. It violates Christian moral standards, is contrary to accepted academic guidelines, and is illegal under government law.  How does NBCU respond to plagiarism?  1. Any assignment found to involve plagiarism will automatically receive a failing grade.   2. If the student wishes to appeal the failed grade, the  student may contact the Registrar. If the Registrar determines that the plagiarism is unintentional and on a small scale, the student may be allowed to redo the assignment for a grade.  3. However, if the Registrar determines that the plagiarism is intentional and involves a substantial amount of material, the student will fail the course as well as the particular assignment that involved plagiarism. At the Registrar's discretion, the student's scholarship may be revoked.  4. If a student commits a second offense of serious plagiarism, the usual penalty will be loss of all scholarships and removal from NBCU. In exceptional circumstances, the Registrar may lessen this penalty. However, plagiarism is such a serious breach of Christian conduct and academic integrity that those found guilty of it repeatedly are not mature, trustworthy Christians who qualify to be trained for leadership in God's church.  5. If a student completes a class or earns a diploma, and/or degree from NBCU  but is later found to have committed plagiarism, course  credit may be withdrawn and the credentials may be revoked.  

It is herein declared that NBCU is tuition free, but we do require a one-time administrative fee.  Additionally, there are charges for diploma replacement and multiple transcript requests.  Our tuition free education is integral to the church and operates as part of the parent church. Our operations are based on a Free Will Tithe. The tithe is made to the parent church (New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church), of free will, and is not to be construed as payment for a service, real or imagined. Therefore, there is no implied contract or agreement, real or imagined.

One-Time Non-refundable Administrative Fee: $350.00 includes diploma, transcript and alumni reunion gift.

NBCU does not  participate in the Federal Title IV financial aid program (PELL Grants, Federal Student Loans).  This also means students will not receive a 1098-T form from New Bethel Christian University to file with their taxes. Please consult your tax advisor about whether NBCU tuition may be applied to relevant tax deductions and/or credits.

More importantly, there are current and future risks to the opportunity to deliver biblical education that come with the dynamics of regulatory oversight of that program.  Our commitment is to keep top-line costs accessible and to protect our ability to amplify the disciple-making mandate of the local church globally.

www.newbethelstl.com

Although NBCU has a Board of Trustees and is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Missouri. NBCU ultimately operates under the authority and direction of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of St. Louis, Missouri. New Bethel is a  non-profit 501 c3 exempt corporation in good standing in the State of Missouri.

www.newbethelstl.com

While NBCU strives to build articulation agreements and strategic partnerships with other post-secondary degree-granting institutions, there is no guarantee academic credit will transfer to degree programs elsewhere, outside of existing agreements.

We believe that collaboration is key to solving complex problems and advancing knowledge. That’s why we partner with industry leaders, other universities, and government agencies to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world today.