A Year of Growth and Blessing

By DAVID ERICKSON, PH.D.
President, Jacksonville College

​As I look back over the past 12 months, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the extraordinary ways God has moved at Jacksonville College.
 
From Empty Seats to Overflowing Tables
Just one year ago, we faced a sobering reality: our cafeteria was half-empty, and we wondered if we’d have enough students to justify keeping it open. Today, we face a dramatically different challenge: finding enough space for everyone to eat! Our enrollment has surged by more than one-third, setting a record in our school’s history. More students now call our campus home than at any point in our past. The growth has been almost dizzying at times, but every new face represents an answered prayer.
 
A Historic Milestone: Our First Bachelor’s Degree in Over a Century
This year marks a turning point in our institution’s long history. For the first time in more than 100 years, we’ve launched a bachelor’s degree program with a ministry degree designed for the realities of modern church work. We’re preparing a new generation of bi-vocational ministers: those who can support themselves financially while faithfully serving their congregations. This program also opens the door for future bachelor’s degrees that can help every young person in our association of churches.
 
Building Spaces That Build Community
Students don’t just learn from textbooks and teachers—they grow through the relationships they forge and the conversations they have between classes. The spaces where they study, worship, and live together, shape the experiences that define them. That’s why we’ve poured $2 million into our campus over the past 15 months: restoring our beautiful chapel, remodeling our classrooms, and renovating residence halls. More than cosmetic upgrades, these are investments in an environment where Christian community can flourish. We’re deeply grateful to the generous churches and individuals whose gifts made these improvements possible.
 
Staying True to Our Mission
In a changing educational landscape, we’ve remained anchored to our calling: equipping the next generation of Christians to serve in our churches and communities. This clarity of purpose means expanding our bachelor’s degree offerings to meet emerging needs. It also means the difficult work of letting go of programs that don’t advance our core mission or prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. Our students need us to be relentlessly on mission to keep a Christian education accessible to them.
 
Lives Transformed by the Gospel
Here’s what matters most: we’re witnessing God change lives. A missionary kid is exploring his calling as a worship leader. A track athlete is preparing for a career in business while growing deeper in his faith. A pastor’s daughter is finding her voice through the JC Singers. A young resident assistant is developing leadership skills he’ll carry throughout his life. Each story is unique, but they all share something important—our students are learning to place Jesus at the center of everything they do. That’s the heartbeat of Jacksonville College.
 
Looking Ahead with Expectation
God has done immeasurably more this past year than we could have asked or imagined. As we step into 2026, our hearts are full of anticipation. If this is what God accomplished in the last twelve months, what will He do in the year ahead?

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