Family of Faith College

About Family of Faith College

Family of Faith College represents one of America's most intimate higher education experiences, operating as a small private nonprofit institution in Shawnee, Oklahoma with approximately 19 students pursuing Christian ministry and biblical studies in an intensely personal educational environment. This rural institution embodies the concept of close-knit Christian community, where every student receives individual attention from faculty and develops deep relationships with peers who share their faith commitments and calling to Christian service. Founded on principles of biblical Christianity, the college exists to prepare students for ministry, missions, and Christian leadership through education that integrates academic study with spiritual formation and practical ministry experience. The college's acceptance rate of approximately 67% reflects its desire to welcome students who demonstrate genuine calling and commitment to Christian service rather than selecting based solely on academic credentials. Family of Faith's small scale, while unconventional in modern higher education, intentionally creates an apprenticeship-style learning environment where faculty serve as mentors walking alongside students throughout their educational journey. The rural Oklahoma setting provides a contemplative environment removed from urban distractions, allowing students to focus on spiritual development and academic preparation for lives of Christian ministry and service.

Family of Faith College admits students who demonstrate genuine Christian faith, calling to ministry, and readiness for intensive biblical education in an intimate community environment. The approximately 67% acceptance rate reflects the college's mission-driven approach to admissions, welcoming students whose goals align with preparing for Christian service rather than selecting primarily on academic metrics. Prospective students submit applications including personal testimonies of faith, descriptions of ministry calling and aspirations, and academic transcripts demonstrating preparation for college-level work. Pastoral references provide essential insight into applicants' character, spiritual maturity, and suitability for ministry preparation, as the college seeks students who will thrive in and contribute to its intentional Christian community. Campus visits are strongly encouraged given the distinctive nature of Family of Faith's educational model, allowing prospective students to experience the community and determine whether this intimate environment aligns with their educational needs. The admissions team engages personally with each applicant, reflecting the college's commitment to knowing and serving each student as an individual rather than processing applications as numbers. Adult learners and non-traditional students are welcome, as calling to ministry often comes later in life and the college values the maturity and life experience these students bring to their studies.

Family of Faith College offers academic programs focused on biblical studies, ministry preparation, and Christian leadership designed to equip students for effective service in churches, missions organizations, and other Christian ministry contexts. The curriculum centers on deep engagement with Scripture, providing students thorough grounding in Old and New Testament studies, biblical languages, theology, and hermeneutics that form the foundation for all Christian ministry. Practical ministry courses prepare students for the realities of pastoral work, missions service, Christian education, and church leadership through combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience in actual ministry settings. The extremely small student body enables tutorial-style instruction where faculty can tailor teaching to individual student needs, abilities, and calling, providing personalized education impossible at larger institutions. Faculty members combine academic credentials with actual ministry experience, bringing both scholarly knowledge and practical wisdom to their teaching and mentorship. Integration of faith and learning pervades all aspects of education, with spiritual formation considered as important as academic achievement in preparing students for fruitful Christian service. The college emphasizes practical application of biblical knowledge, ensuring graduates can translate theological understanding into effective ministry practice that serves churches and communities.

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Rural campus with natural surroundings and tight-knit community
• Strong focus on undergraduate education
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Family of Faith College reflects the intimate scale and intentional Christian community that defines this unique institution, with approximately 19 students forming bonds resembling extended family rather than typical college classmates. Chapel services, prayer meetings, and corporate worship create rhythms of spiritual practice that shape community life and reinforce the college's mission of forming students for Christian ministry. The small enrollment means students cannot hide in anonymity; everyone knows everyone else, creating accountability, support, and genuine community that larger institutions cannot replicate. Living arrangements foster community through shared experiences, meals, and informal conversations that continue learning beyond formal classroom settings. Ministry opportunities in local churches and community organizations provide practical experience while serving others, integrating service into the fabric of student life. The rural Shawnee setting offers quiet environment for study, reflection, and spiritual growth, though students may need to travel for entertainment and amenities common in more urban locations. Student governance provides leadership development opportunities as students take responsibility for aspects of community life that prepare them for future ministry leadership roles.

Location & Surroundings

Shawnee, Oklahoma provides Family of Faith College with a rural setting approximately 35 miles east of Oklahoma City, positioning students in a quiet community where they can focus on spiritual development and academic preparation without urban distractions. This small city of approximately 30,000 residents maintains Midwestern values, affordable living costs, and friendly atmosphere that welcomes college students into the broader community. The college's rural campus offers peaceful environment for the contemplative practices and intensive study that characterize preparation for Christian ministry. Students can access Oklahoma City for additional shopping, entertainment, cultural venues, and ministry opportunities that the metropolitan area provides when they need resources beyond what Shawnee offers. Oklahoma's central location makes the college accessible to students from across the region who feel called to ministry training in an intimate Christian community. The area's Native American heritage and diverse religious landscape provide ministry context that exposes students to cross-cultural engagement they may encounter in future ministry. Four seasons create changing backdrops to academic life, with warm summers, cold winters, and pleasant spring and fall periods that characterize the southern Great Plains climate.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Family of Faith College maintains modest tuition costs appropriate to its small nonprofit operation and mission of preparing students for Christian ministry, a field where financial resources are often limited but spiritual rewards are abundant. The college's minimal administrative overhead and focused mission allow it to keep educational costs lower than many private institutions while providing personalized education possible only at intimate scale. Financial aid assistance helps students with need access education, though prospective students should understand that ministry careers typically do not yield high financial returns despite their profound significance. Students should consider their calling to ministry carefully, recognizing that education at Family of Faith prepares them for lives of service rather than material prosperity. Career outcomes focus on ministry positions including pastoral roles in churches, missionary service through sending organizations, Christian education positions, and parachurch ministry opportunities. The college's emphasis on practical ministry experience during education prepares graduates to step immediately into ministry roles with confidence and competence. Alumni serve in churches and ministry organizations throughout Oklahoma and beyond, forming a network of Christian workers who maintain connections with each other and the college that supported their formation. Graduates find that the deep relationships formed during their intimate educational experience provide lifelong support and encouragement through the challenges and joys of Christian ministry.