You don't just enroll in Christian Studies. You enroll in a path — a calling with a curriculum.
Arkansas Baptist College · School of Christian Studies · The James & Rosa McKissic Program
"Study the Word. Change the World."
All four tracks share a common general education and Christian Studies core, then diverge into specialization coursework in the junior and senior years.
This concentration focuses on educational philosophy, curriculum design, and teaching methodology for ministry contexts. It prepares graduates to lead Sunday school programs, youth education ministries, Christian school classrooms, and denominational education departments.
12-week curriculum design portfolio reviewed by external educators.
Why This Concentration?
A student searching for 'how to become a children's ministry director' or 'how to teach the Bible' needs a specific path. This concentration gives them that path — with the pedagogy, the theology, and the practical portfolio to back it up.
Organizational leadership, strategic planning, non-profit management, and resource stewardship in ministry contexts. Prepares graduates to manage the operational excellence of growing churches and faith-based organizations.
20-page organizational leadership case study with strategic recommendations, budget projections, and implementation timeline.
Why This Concentration?
Growing churches need equipped administrators as much as they need gifted preachers. This track builds the organizational wisdom and financial stewardship skills that sustain ministry long-term.
Worship theology, sacred music history, and liturgical leadership — bridging the best of tradition and innovation. Designed for the next generation of worship leaders, musicians, and music ministers who want to lead from a deep theological foundation.
Worship leadership portfolio including 3 video-documented worship leading instances + a 15-page worship theology paper, reviewed by an external worship leader.
Why This Concentration?
This is for musicians who want to lead worship from a deep theological foundation — not just skill, but calling. The HBCU worship tradition is one of the richest in American Christianity, and this program honors it.
The craft of biblical preaching and the theology of pastoral care — with intentional grounding in the African American preaching tradition. Designed for students with a clear calling to pastoral ministry who want to develop both homiletical artistry and pastoral wisdom.
Sermon portfolio — 3 full video-recorded sermons (expository, narrative, and prophetic/justice) with manuscripts, self-critiques, and external preacher review.
Why This Concentration?
This track honors the African American preaching tradition as one of the most powerful prophetic and pastoral voices in Christian history — and trains students to carry that tradition forward with excellence and integrity.
Every graduate completes a significant capstone project — reviewed by both faculty and external ministry practitioners. Choose the path that fits your calling.
40–50 pages of original theological research. Ideal for students pursuing graduate theological education at seminaries like Samford (Beeson), Memphis Theological, or Midwestern Baptist.
A comprehensive church plant or revitalization plan with theological foundations, strategic plan, full budget, and public presentation before an external panel of ministry practitioners.
Tailored to each of the four tracks — from sermon portfolio to curriculum design to worship theology paper — evaluated by both faculty and external ministry professionals.
Ready to find your path? Talk to an advisor about which concentration aligns with your calling.