By Russell Duke
The Worldwide Church of God, in its passion for a Christ-centered education for its youths, expects shortly to establish an Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University (APU), 25 minutes east of church headquarters.
We plan to finalize negotiations with APU in early July.
The WCG maintains an abiding dedication to the education of its youths to build the strength of its laity and ministry. The church encourages its youths to pursue higher education, and especially to attend institutions that value Christian ethics.
APU can meet our needs as a Christ-centered university, with its diverse ethnicity and interdenominational emphasis.
We wish to integrate some WCG youths and ministers into the greater Azusa student body, and at the same time provide the sense of cultural heritage necessary to provide vitality for the WCG.
Several Ambassador alumni have completed master's degrees at APU (including Dean Blackwell, page 11), and they have expressed joy in their spiritual experience in the process. We believe Azusa's spirit of place to be similar to the spirit of Ambassador.
Azusa provides a well-rounded, liberal arts curriculum, with a sound foundation of Christian values. A wide range of majors serve the undergraduate student. Azusa is accredited, and will provide a strong degree for any student who wishes to enter the world of work or to pursue graduate studies.
Financial help to attend APU is available from the church to youths who express a Christian commitment and who wish to develop talents to serve our worldwide congregations.
While our students will be fully involved as members of the APU student body, the Center will serve as the central point for WCG men and women for social contact, field trips and travel to WCG congregations.
In our initial stage, two large offices will house the center in the School of Theology in the Ronald Building.
I will teach various classes, including one course on the doctrines of the WCG. As director of the Center, I will coordinate activities and be available for counseling. We care for our students.
From our Ambassador Center at Azusa, graduate and undergraduate students will assist as counselors and leaders at Christian camps.
The Ambassador Center will also serve as a repository of the cultural heritage of 50 years of Ambassador University.
We hope WCG members will visit the Ambassador Center, see the records of our past, support our present endeavors in education and assist our vision for the future.
The mission statement of Ambassador Center is: Provide a central focus for WCG members who are committed to sound Christ-centered education in liberal arts and theology in order to establish a trained laity and ministry for Christian service and leadership in the WCG, while participating in the interdenominational vision at APU.
WCG members and youths are eligible to apply for a sizeable scholarship from the Ambassador Center. Cost of attendance at APU including room and board is about $18,500 a year. APU grants scholarships for academic, music and athletic excellence. APU provides scholarships for SAT scores above 950.
Federal Pell grants to eligible families can provide up to $2,700 next year. Under the Cal Grant, eligible California residents may receive up to $7,100 to defray expenses. The deadline for the Cal Grant was March 1. So for 1997-98 this grant will only be available to present college or university students who wish to transfer, or applicants who have already applied for this state aid.
For the top 10 accepted applicants to Azusa this summer, the Ambassador Center will grant a $5,000 scholarship for the 1997-98 academic year. We will work with the financial aid staff at APU to maximize government and private assistance. We intend to subsidize these same students throughout their program, but the amount may differ in the future.
All participants must commit to abide by the Christian code set forth by Azusa, maintain good standing in the Worldwide Church of God, maintain good academic standing, and be actively involved in the Ambassador Center and in service to the church.
Thank you for your support, both in financial contributions and in your prayers, as we move forward in faith in this exciting, fledgling program. We desire to further the Christian education of our youths and, in turn, strengthen the collective effort of the WCG as a part of the body of Christ.
1. Christian leadership training of the laity and ministry of the WCG for effective service in Christian ministry.
2. Integrate WCG youths into the intercultural and interdenominational Christian educational environment of APU.
3. Provide spiritual formation for the youths of the WCG through counseling, group meetings and activities of the Ambassador Center.
4. Develop individual spiritual gifts through experience in Christian outreach.
5. Provide scholarships to deserving WCG students who demonstrate a love for Jesus Christ and who seek to serve the church.
6. Provide a variety of practical ministry opportunities for WCG students, both undergraduate and graduate students.
7. Provide leadership for camps.
8. Maintain the cultural heritage of Ambassador University and the records of its 50 years.
1) Call 1-818-812-3016 or 1-800-825-5278 to request an application.
2) Complete an application for enrollment to APU.
3) Upon sending your completed application to APU, write Russell K. Duke at Ambassador Center, c/o Azusa Pacific University, P.O. Box 7000, Azusa, California, 91702-7000.
4) Dr. Duke will send you an application form to be completed for the Ambassador Center scholarship.
5) Once you are accepted at APU you will be notified of any AC grants.
Please act soon if you want to be a pioneer student of the Ambassador Center.
June 24, 1997, WN, page 1
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