In an effort to serve as a transformational influence on the urban centers of Western Michigan, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University initiated the Urban Ministry Cohort Program in fall of 2007. The program, a cohort based educational model organized and delivered to four Western Michigan urban centers (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Muskegon) was designed to contribute to the transformation of these urban communities by providing innovative and disciplined theological education to urban ministry leaders. At GRTS we believe urban ministry leaders are community leaders and possess the position and potential to foster significant redemptive influence. Our vision for the program is to equip these leaders to facilitate necessary change, and to do so from a theologically informed perspective that is distinctly Christian.
The program is built around a six course core of foundational classes in Bible and Theology which is delivered in a one-night per week format to a cohort of anywhere from 12-18 students within the particular urban center. Students with an approved undergraduate degree will proceed to the next six classes and upon successful completion receive the Masters of Arts in Ministry Leadership degree. Students without an undergraduate degree may apply these six courses to one of several Bachelor’s degrees offered by the Professional and Graduate Studies division of Cornerstone University. Thus the program is designed to take the Ministry leader to the next level of credential in their educational journey.
For more information concerning the program we invite you to contact the Director, Reverend Royce Evans at Royce.evans@cornerstone.edu or the administrative assistant, Jo Anna Kelly at Joanna.kelly@cornerstone.edu