Sometimes the idea of University can be daunting; pictures of highly academic students and those who didn’t struggle throughout school can come to mind. Maybe university makes you think of huge classrooms of people all taking notes from one person at the front. Or maybe lots of essays and exams come to mind. Are you left thinking – could a degree be for me?
Our BA (Hons) in Theology, Mission and Ministry, with a specialism in Youth Work can offer a different experience than this. We do have classes where students hear from talented facilitators, only these happen at 5 of our week conferences (one of which is online).
And whilst our students do have essays and assignments to complete, we also place a heavy emphasis on the practical work that our students do with their young people in their work based placements.
One of our alumni students, Abigail, describes herself as not being an ‘ideal university student’ after finishing high school early. However she has now graduated from the Reign Ministries degree and is thriving in her youth ministry work near Edinburgh.
We asked Abigail to describe herself and how she came to study with Reign Ministries when she didn’t think that university would be an option for her. Here’s her story…
“I was never one for academics; I wasn’t engaged with the school curriculum very much, so when I left High School early, I didn’t think I’d go into further education. Of course, God took me on a different path and now I’ve graduated from Reign Ministries with a degree. It’s been a crazy journey but I’ve honestly loved it.
Before starting the degree, I had only been a Christian for three years, and in fact, looking back I didn’t know much about the Bible. However, I loved Jesus, had a hunger to learn more about his word, and I was willing to be challenged about my views and values.
Studying Theology and Ministry has given me the confidence and tools to start exploring the Bible deeper. It has helped me to grasp the overarching story of the Bible. Reign Ministries have also equipped me with the confidence to speak to young people about the gospel and to do God’s mission effectively.
There’s a lot of room for honesty and support at Reign Ministries. As a relatively new Christian who hasn’t done much leadership, I mess up a lot. But, that’s okay because I know that I have the support of my classmates and my placement church. The team at Reign Ministries don’t expect you to be perfect. They cultivate a family culture which encourages us all to strive to be more like Jesus every day. And encourages us to disciple others in a relationship with the Living God.”
Perhaps you’re nervous about the idea of doing a degree. However, Abigail is witness to the fact that following God’s little nudges towards your calling is always worth doing. You may have thought that doing a degree was never an option for you. However, if you love Jesus and have a passion for young people then this degree could be for you!
Why don’t you come along to our next Open Day? Here you will be able to talk to students, meet some of the team and get an idea of what the degree is about. We’d love to have you!
Categories: Testimony, Youth Ministry Degree Course
Updated: 28 Mar 2024 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
Hi everyone! I am Jamie Gurling and I started studying at Reign this year. I am 19 and from Glasgow in Scotland. I left high school in 2022 and I thought the next step was obvious, to go straight into further education, just the same as everyone else. So, I followed the norm, moved city […]
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Updated: 18 May 2023 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
As a ministry we have been reviewing how we deliver the degree progamme in a way that fits both our vision and DNA, whilst still providing quality training for the next generation of disciple-making leaders. From September 2023 we implemented some changes and we are excited to see how God is going to lead us […]
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Updated: 26 Apr 2023 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out…” (Mark 3.13-14) Where do I start? I had just started my first real ministry role in […]
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Updated: 29 Mar 2023 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
Is Bigger Better? The bigger your youth group, the better, right? We get a special energy from the buzz of a crowd. We believe that when we’re connected to more people we’re able to have more impact. But is this really the case in youth ministry? Most of us have the feeling that this approach […]
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Updated: 22 Feb 2023 | Posted by: kmckinnon
If you were to attend one of our Expand Training Experiences you will hear our team talk about discipleship. That’s because it is the foundational to who Reign Ministries is. During our Expand: Online training you will learn the tools to help you be effective in your discipleship of young people. Watch the video below […]
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Updated: 8 Feb 2023 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
Where Is God Calling Me? I have a calling to youth ministry. But 30 years ago – I had no idea! I remember sitting in a marquee at a Christian music festival as a teenager, listening to a speaker talking about ‘Hearing God’s Call’. This was something I was wrestling with, so I figured that […]
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Updated: 8 Apr 2025 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
Exciting news! Reign Ministries is excited to announce we have a new college we are linking with for an undergraduate degree! Moorlands College will be the new home for our degree students from September. For over 20 years, Reign Ministries has played a key role in the development of a youth pathway for an undergraduate […]
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Updated: 24 Mar 2025 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
Learning from those that have gone before you. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” writes the wise King Solomon in Ecclesiastes. He saw that life can sometimes resemble a treadmill, where history simply repeats itself and continues in a loop. […]
Read moreUpdated: 16 Dec 2024 | Posted by: Charlie Morris
After a few years of considering this move, the trustees and leadership have decided the time is right to try and sell the building we affectionately know as “the moto” (in it’s former life it was a motorcycle sales and repair shop). This building has served the charity well over many years, as a base […]
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