A 2003 Christian college graduate in business administration, Joel has already guided NetworkStreaming to 33 employees and a customer base of over 1,300 in 50 states and 32 countries around the globe. NetworkStreaming’s customer list includes such names as AIG, Nissan, UBS and Farm Bureau Insurance to name a few.

So what impact did attending a Christian college have on Joel Bomgaars, and what led to his tremendous success? NetworkStreaming states: “Our vision is to provide technical solutions while honoring God and developing our people.” This one sentence provides great insight into the priorities of Joel and his company.

A CEO’s perspective on hiring Christian college graduates

While it’s significant to talk about how greatly Joel values his Christian college education, it’s a different matter to see it demonstrated in a tangible way. Perhaps the most compelling example of Joel’s high regard for his education is revealed by considering those he has employed. Currently, over half of NetworkStreaming’s employees are individuals, who at one time or another, attended that same Christian college he attended. From the perspective of a CEO, Joel believes that recruiting Christian college grads is simply a wise business decision, as they often bring a solid work ethic, integrity, strong interpersonal skills and a well balanced view of life to the workplace. These characteristics can provide the building blocks for a strong foundation leading to success in their profession. Joel believes that Christian colleges provide a great starting point in business for these reasons.

Why did someone like Joel Bomgaars attend a Christian college?

Joel knew early in the process of choosing a college that a small Christian college was the right choice for him. His decision took him only a short drive of 10 or 15 minutes from his home. This arrangement allowed him to have a job near his home while attending college. His motivation for attending a Christian college was rooted in his desire to be in an environment that would encourage “wisdom and values” in addition to knowledge. Joel felt those values would not be promoted at a secular school, and it was important to him that his education come from a “Christian world and life view”. Joel believes the nature of a Christian college leads to academic strength because of the importance the Christian faith places on striving for excellence in all areas of life.

The professors Joel encountered had an approach to teaching that was based in Christian service. This service-oriented outlook translated to relationships that extended beyond classroom walls. Joel noticed professors who were actively engaged in the lives of their students.

How the Christian college experience impacts Joel’s decisions today

Joel believes one of the reasons for his success is the high value that Christian colleges place on relationships. This emphasis impacts his daily decisions at NetworkStreaming as he recognizes the importance of each person as an individual who has been created in the image of God. Even when Joel encounters a difficult employee situation, respect for the individual is essential. This perspective appears to contradict today’s business culture where decisions often seem to be based exclusively on financial considerations. The success of NetworkStreaming suggests that Joel’s approach has served him well.

Evaluating “Success”

One of the threads that is woven throughout my discussion with Joel is the importance that he places on people. Joel makes it clear that his staff are one of the most vital components to his success. And as important as it is to have good people around him, Joel’s quick to say that “blessings from God” are probably the primary reason for his achievements. On the wall inside Joel’s office you would see, “the horses prepare for the day of the battle but victory rests with the Lord.” In talking with Joel, there is a genuine humility that causes him to realize that while a company can have a great product or staff, ultimately “success” is a gift from God.

Getting real… and a little advice

When asked about how his college experience influences his personal life, Joel speaks of such concepts as balance and a Christian worldview. His Christian college background helps Joel harmonize his family, friends and work. Joel would “highly recommend attending a Christian college” because of the significant impact it can have on one’s personal and professional life. When asked if he had to do it over again, would he attend a Christian college, Joel responds, “absolutely”. Joel believes that his education was “worth every penny.” For Joel Bomgaars, attending a Christian college was a key step on the road to his success.

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Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Seagren

Below you will find a number of The Christian Connector (CC) questions and Sara’s responses (SG). Our hope is that Sara’s experience at the Christian college she attended will be an encouragement to you. Sara attended the same Christian college where her dad taught biblical studies.

CC: Did you plan to be in the Christian music industry while you were in college?

SG: Like any girl who grew up singing Amy Grant songs into her hairbrush, I had secret dreams, but no, I did not see myself doing this in any real way.

CC: What led you into Christian music?

SG: Well, it’s a long story, but in a nutshell, my husband believed in me, and felt that the music I was writing in my piano room would be well received by others, and put his time and energy to that end.

CC: What do you most, and least, enjoy about being in Christian music?

SG: I love communicating and meeting with people, and I love the work of writing music. My least favorite part of Christian music is that label. I don’t think music can be Christian or non-Christian. I think Christ calls us to a fully integrated life of faith, and as an artist, I want to write honestly from my worldview.

CC: How would you describe the professors at the school you attended?

SG: When someone has a genuine relationship experience with God it is like a diamond ring that comes in a velvet box. When it comes time to hand that experience down I think sometimes it is human nature and the nature of institutions to hand down, not the ring, but the velvet box thinking, “This is how the ring came to me, it must be how it will come to you too.” It takes a very special place, and very incredible people to pass down the ring instead of the box.

CC: Did you consider schools other than your final choice?

SG: …I never really considered going anywhere else. I practically grew up on the campus, going to games, talking about worldview and “All Truth is God’s Truth”… I don’t remember thinking about any other college.

CC: What did you most enjoy about your college experience?

SG: Having my dad for a class called Essential Christianity. The texts were Mere Christianity and Celebration of Discipline, and the point of the class was to get students to think about their own worldview outside of the way they were raised. I got to see what my dad did every day when he took his briefcase and left the house – I got to see what he was really passionate about. All of our conversations around the table made more sense after that class.

CC: What do you think were some of the advantages in attending a Christian college versus a secular school?

SG: Well, I made every major decision of my life at that time. I met Troy (her husband), I picked a career, and the seeds that many of my professors planted are still with me today. I know many people who made it through secular schools just fine, but I really enjoyed learning about Literature and History through a Christian worldview.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your personal life?

SG: My marriage and friendship with Troy is the most personal and meaningful thing… Our parents both went to (the school we attended), so we had a lot in common. I might not have found that at another school.

CC: How has your Christian college experience affected your professional life?

SG: The professors … really encouraged me to think about my worldview, to take it apart, and to ask good questions. They believed that God was big enough to handle my questions, and that questions and conversation are a part of intimacy with God. Also, as a Liberal Arts college, we were encouraged to see the purpose of every career path, not just that of a pastor or missionary. These ideas still influence my music a great deal.

CC: What was your major in college?

SG: English and Social Science Education

CC: Can you share any longer term goals you may have, say over the next ten years?

SG: Well, my goals for the next ten years are the same for my life in general: to know Christ more, to continue to build a strong marriage, to be a good mom to these boys.

CC: If you had to do things over again, would you attend a Christian college?

SG: Yes. I feel like that was a formative time, and I was so impressionable. I’m grateful there were so many people who cared about, not just attaining knowledge, but about my becoming a whole person.

CC: What advice would you give to those who will read this in regards to attending a Christian college?

SG: I don’t feel like there is one way to do anything – God is creative in the way he teaches us, but for me, my Christian college experiences, and the friends I made were and still are priceless.

The Christian Connector, Inc. would like to provide a special thanks to Sara Groves.

You can learn more about Sara and her music by visiting her web site: www.saragroves.com

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Seagren

The intention of this article is to offer what I hope will provide a fresh perspective regarding the choice between a Christian college and a secular college.

I’m confident that important characteristics such as academic excellence, internships, school size, location, career opportunities, quality of faculty, variety of programs, extra-curricular activities, etc. can be found at both secular and Christian schools across the country. With that being said, why then should one consider enrolling at a Christian college?

According to the US Department of Education, one group of Christian colleges, CCCU schools, grew over 70% from 1990 to 2004. During that same period of time, all independent four year schools grew 28%, while public four year institutions grew only about 13%. These statistics reveal that there must be something “different” about Christian colleges. I believe this difference can be primarily attributed to the environment, and it is this difference that provides the most compelling reason to enroll at a Christian college.

If you’ve been following higher education in the media over the past couple of years, you’ve likely heard some alarming news from both state and private secular institutions. I believe most people would agree that institutions of higher education in the US have promoted themselves as places of respect, tolerance and diversity. The irony is that there seems to be an ever growing intolerance for diversity in regards to issues of faith, values and even politics in higher education.

Consider the following statement:

At secular schools across the country, people of faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. You may be surprised to learn that I generally don’t believe this statement to be true, nor do I believe this attitude would be allowed at secular schools in this country. However, adding a single word to this statement dramatically changes both the meaning and the accuracy of the statement:

At secular schools across the country, people of Christian faith are often not respected and even ridiculed for their beliefs. If you disagree with this statement, I challenge you to ask a few committed Christians attending secular schools how their professors and classmates view their faith.

While there likely are exceptions to this rule, if you’re considering the difference between a secular and Christian school, the intolerance toward Christian values on secular campuses is an essential issue to consider.

Most fair minded people would agree that the environment where one lives has an affect on that individual. In 1994 a study was conducted that showed that approximately 52% of students who attended public institutions either no longer called themselves “born again” or had not attended a religious service of any kind in over a year. This study was done over ten years ago. One wonders what this figure would look like today.

A traditional college age student begins their collegiate career at about 18 years old. For a student from a Christian home, there are two sets of beliefs that the student likely takes with them that are particularly pertinent:

The student’s Christian faith/values Respect for those in authority While it may be argued that secular schools challenge these beliefs overtly, the greater challenge for the Christian student may be the unexpected collision of these two principles.

For 18 years, most students in this group have a basic and appropriate trust of those in authority over them. Their experience has demonstrated that the vast majority of people in authority positions have their best interest at heart – parents, pastors and even teachers. So what happens when authority figures suddenly have a very different set of values than the students, or even a completely different agenda? While the student has learned the importance of respecting those in authority, that authority figure may be the very person ridiculing the student’s faith, values and worldview. Perhaps this represents one reason why the above study discovered such a large number of students “walking away” from their faith.

Does this mean that if you’re a Christian who attends a secular college, you will turn your back on your faith? Of course not. However, the issue is more personal than statistics and generalities. The real issue is whether or not a Christian college is the best choice for you. While it’s important to consider Christian colleges for what they offer, it’s also crucial to make an honest comparison to the alternative – a secular campus environment.

Some may think that Christian colleges merely offer a “safe haven”, a place that is separated from the “challenges” in the world. I believe this view is unrealistic and flawed. It is disingenuous to think that there are not challenges to overcome at a Christian college in terms of faith, lifestyle, and ethical choices. However, generally speaking, the faculty, staff and students within a Christian college environment are concerned with seeing the student develop in all areas of life.

A Christian college offers more than just the “addition” of Christian beliefs to the educational experience. Christian faith is not merely an “extra” at Christian colleges, it is a critical element woven into the fabric of the college experience. The Christian dynamic is evident not just in chapel or a Sunday service, but also during pizza in the dorm at midnight, during an honest debate over moral and theological principles in the dining hall, and during a discussion of ethics in regards to career and family. The Christian component is noticeable in the classroom, but it is not limited by those walls. I believe this is the real difference of a Christian college environment, as well as a key reason why there has been such tremendous growth at Christian colleges. It is Christian colleges that must encourage true tolerance, respect and diversity, as these are essential principles within Christianity.

Christian colleges offer much more than a “safe haven”, they offer life preparation. Christian campuses should not be viewed as an opportunity to avoid the world, but rather as an opportunity to influence the world. The years spent within a Christian college environment can aid the student’s ability to serve, thrive, and become a modern day follower of Jesus Christ – regardless of their profession. Christian colleges are in a unique position to honestly address the spiritual and moral issues that people of every age face every day. People can spend years in training for their chosen profession, sport, and hobbies. Christian colleges can offer all of those opportunities, but within a Christian context where the student becomes more prepared to impact and live within our world.

Attending a Christian college means you don’t have to settle for only part of the educational experience.

Thom Seagren is president of The Christian Connector a Christian college information resource. The Christian Connector lets you select from over 100 Christian colleges that will send you free information, and awards a $2,500 Christian college scholarship each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Seagren