Christian Ministries and Leadership Major in Pennsylvania
The Christian Ministries and Leadership program is perfect for students passionate about faith and service. It prepares you for careers in pastoral work, youth ministry, missions or nonprofit leadership. This Christian, faith-based program equips you to lead and inspire in various ministry settings.
100%
of first-year
students receive financial aid
students receive financial aid
98%
of the class of 2025 were
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
12:1
student to faculty ratio
Study Christian Ministries and Leadership at a Christian University
In the Christian ministries and leadership major at Messiah University, a nationally ranked Christian university in Pennsylvania, you will take foundational Bible and theology courses, and take an in-depth look at various Bible texts, including Pentateuch, Historical Books, Poetical and Wisdom Literature, Gospels, Paul and His Letter, and Revelation. If you are interested in missions, there are also many courses available in missions training, world religions and world Christianity.
We offer two concentrations within the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Christian ministries and leadership program: community engagement and congregational leadership, as well as a wide range of specialized courses.
Students in the Christian Ministries and Leadership program at Messiah University can choose from the following concentrations:
As a Christian ministries and leadership major at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Dive into foundational Bible and theology courses.
- Take an in-depth look at the various Bible texts including Pentateuch, Historical Books, Poetical and Wisdom Literature, Gospels, Paul and His Letter, and Revelation.
- Sign-up for specialized courses in areas of particular interest to you.
- Study abroad and participate in a cross-cultural practicum outside the United States.
- Complete a 150-hour practicum/internship in a local church, nonprofit or ministry setting.
- Put your classroom knowledge to the test through an internship with one of our many partners, including Young Life and the Mennonite Central Committee.
- Immerse yourself in biblical Greek or biblical Hebrew.
- Learn about Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and world or non-western Christianity.
- Pick up a minor in youth ministries, music and worship, business administration, psychology or even Spanish.
- Study with professors who publish books and scholarly articles, conduct ongoing research and are nationally recognized as experts in their fields.
- Participate in Messiah’s unique “Fitness for Ministry” program that prepares you for a position in ministry right out of college. It includes mentorship, spiritual reflection, portfolio development and church involvement.
- Join Student Ministries, a leadership team dedicated to helping students in their understanding of identity, relationship, healing and calling.
As a graduate of the Christian ministries and leadership program, students are equipped to secure positions in areas such as:
- Youth ministry
- Children's ministry
- Worship ministry
- Missions
- Parachurch work
- Nonprofits
For more information on career planning for the Christian ministries and leadership program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of Christian ministries and leadership internships. A few examples include:
- Bethesda Mission
- Camp Hebron
- Camp Hill United Methodist Church
- Christian Life Assembly
- First Church of the Brethren
- Grantham Brethren in Christ Church
- Kenbrook Bible Camp
- Mennonite Central Committee
- New Hope Ministries
- Salt and Light Youth Ministries
- West Shore Evangelical Free Church
- Young Life
Programs related to Christian Ministries and Leadership
In the Christian Ministries and Leadership program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Christian Ministries and Leadership:
Christian Ministries and Leadership (B.A.) with Community Engagement Concentration
Christian Ministries and Leadership (B.A.) with Congregational Leadership Concentration
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Teen Mania Ministries
- Project SHINE
- New Hope Christian Fellowship
- Messiah Village
- Camp Hill UMC
- YWAM
- Holy Spirit Hospital/Christian Publications
- Manchester Board of Education
- Oobe Company
- First United Methodist Church
- Manor Church
- Visions Community Services
- Youth Advocate Programs
- Hoffman Homes for Youth
- The United Church of God
- Messiah College
- Lancaster Day Care Center
- Bancroft NeuroHealth
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Chambers Hill United Methodist Church
- COACH Program
- BIC & Messiah College Archives & Historical Library
- Cornell Abraxas/William Penn ACTS
- Glad Run Lutheran Services
- College of Southern Maryland
- Shepherdstown UMC
- Lighthouse Evangelical Church
- Zion United Methodist Church
- Lakeside Christian Camp
- Zion Lutheran Church
- Christian Peacemaker Teams
- Coventry Healthcare
- Grace United Methodist Church
- Chambersburg Memorial YMCA
- N Street Village
- Teach for America
- Mennonite Central Committee / St. Jude Junior School
- Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church
- South Central Pennsylvania Young Life
- Bethany Evangelical Church
- Private Language Center
- Bethany Evangelical Church
- New Hope Ministries
- Bethesda Mission
- Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
- Green Spring Church of God
- Newburg United Methodist
- Hope Community Church
- Maryhaven Center Of Hope
- Chapel Hill Church of God
- Chesapeake Church
- Reynolda Church
- Azuza Pacific University
- Yorkshire United Methodist Church
- Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church
- Salt 'n Light Youth Ministry
- First United Methodist Church
What they do
- AmeriCorps VISTA
- Associate Pastor
- Children's Volunteer
- Director of Student Ministries
- Discipleship Training School
- Special Education Aide - High School
- Youth Pastor
- Teacher
- Therapeutic Staff Support
- Mental Health Worker
- Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Life
- Director of Youth Ministries
- Intervention Specialist
- Mental Health Assistant
- Youth Pastor
- Director of Student and Young Adult Ministries
- Food Service Director
- Youth Coordinator
- Volunteer
- Management Development Program
- Family/Youth Program Aide
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- SALT - Primary Math & English Teacher
- Intergenerational Pastor
- Youth Center Worker
- Youth Pastor
- Coordinator of Youth and Worship
- Worship Minister
- Direct Care Counselor
- Director of Children's Ministry
- Director of Relational Connection and Social Media
- Director of Student Ministries
- Grad student
Graduate school
- Reformed Theological Seminary
- Asbury Theological Seminary
- Ashland Theological Seminary
- Myerstown Theological Seminary
- Duke Divinity School
- Wesley Theological Seminary
- SUNY Potsdam
- Shippensburg University
- Temple Medical School
- Bethel Seminary
- Western Governors University
- Southern Evangelical Seminary
- Messiah College
- Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
- Emmanuel School of Religion
- Liberty University
- Duke University
98% of the Class of 2025 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Meet Alumni from the Department of Biblical, Religious and Philosophical Studies
Practicing Christian ministry
As a Christian ministries and leadership major, you’ll be required to do field work and a practicum in a local church or ministry setting. You will also participate in Messiah’s “Fitness for Ministry” program, which includes mentorships, spiritual reflection, portfolio development and church involvement as a way to develop your portfolio and experiences.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
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