Arizona Christian University

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Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University triangle logo.png
Former names
Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College
Southwestern College
MottoTransforming Culture with Truth
Motto in English
Roll Storm
TypePrivate
Established1960 (1960)
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational Christian
PresidentLen Munsil
Academic staff
90
Administrative staff
125
Students820
Location
Glendale
,
Arizona
,
United States
CampusSuburban, 68 acres (28 ha)
ColorsACU Red and Firestorm Yellow
  
AthleticsNAIA, NCCAA —
GSAC
NicknameFirestorm
AffiliationsCouncil for Christian Colleges and Universities, Association for Biblical Higher Education
MascotPhoenix (Stormin' Normin)
Websitewww.arizonachristian.edu

Arizona Christian University is a private Christian university in Glendale, Arizona.[1]

History[]

In 1917, Ida Clouse, a Christian missionary and registered nurse, left her home in the Midwest and moved to Arizona. Taking advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862, she acquired 160 acres (65 ha) of land north of Phoenix and opened the Clouse Ranch,[2] which quickly became a popular Christian retreat destination. Clouse died in 1959, leaving 35 acres (14 ha) of the ranch to an association of Baptist churches, which was subsequently used to establish a new Christian bible college.

Founded in 1960 as Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College, Arizona Christian University's original campus was located at 2625 E. Cactus Road,[3] in north-central Phoenix. Since its founding, the university has undergone a number of name changes, including Southwestern College, until its name was finally changed to Arizona Christian University in January 2011 in recognition of its growth from a small Bible college to a Christian liberal arts university.

ACU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. During the HLC's 2012 accreditation visit, ACU received its best report in the institution's history, including re-accreditation for the maximum ten years as well as approval to offer three new majors.

The university was initially founded to prepare students for careers in vocational ministry and missions, offering degrees in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries. In 1972 the college first received accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and added regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in 1992.

ACU’s desire to serve the broader evangelical community was reflected in the decision in 2007 to become a non-denominational Christian college.In 2012, under the leadership of ACU President Len Munsil, the university received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer degrees in Biology, Communication, and Political Science. Additional undergraduate degree programs are being planned, along with an expansion into graduate degrees and growth for ACU's accelerated Degree Completion Program for working adults. In March 2017, ACU received HLC approval to offer online degrees.

Len Munsil assumed the presidency of Arizona Christian University in 2010. Munsil is a constitutional attorney and leader in Christian non-profit and public policy work, and was the 2006 Republican nominee for governor of Arizona.

During Munsil’s tenure, ACU enrollment has grown from around 400 to more than 1,000 total students, and in 2021 achieved its seventh straight year of record enrollment.[4]

In 2012, it's commencement ceremony was broadcast nationally on C-SPAN and featured United States Senator Jon Kyl.

In November 2018, President Munsil announced a miracle – that ACU was trading its 20-acre campus in north Phoenix to Arizona State University in exchange for the historic 68-acre campus that was formerly the home of ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. The new campus offers three times the classroom space, dorm rooms, parking, an enhanced student life experience with a historic Tower student union, Commons dining hall, a state-of-the-art library, an events center, and space for athletic facilities to be built so future Firestorm athletes can practice and compete on-campus.

The move to the new campus – which occurred during the summer of 2019 in time for classes in the fall of 2019 — enables ACU to continue to serve a growing student population while steadfastly maintaining its Christian identity, mission and purpose.

Notable graduates of Arizona Christian University include Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary, who also began his teaching and academic administration career at then-Southwestern College.[5] Former NBA All-Star and NBA Coach Paul Westphal began his coaching career at then-Southwestern College, leading the school to a Christian college championship.[6]

Daniel Award[]

During the 2010–2011 academic year, the university celebrated its 50th anniversary and established the Daniel Award for Courageous Public Faith. The honor is given annually to an individual who has courageously stood for his or her Christian faith and biblical truth in the public square.

The award is named for Daniel, the Old Testament prophet.

The first Daniel Award for Courageous Public Faith was presented to President George W. Bush on March 16, 2011 at a dinner celebrating ACU’s 50th anniversary at the Phoenix Convention Center. 1,260 guests were in attendance, and $1.5 million in scholarships was raised for ACU students.[7] On February 9, 2012, the second Daniel Award was presented to the Rev. Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as well as the international aid organization Samaritan’s Purse.[8] The third annual Daniel Award was presented to Christian recording artist and three-time Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith, who performed for ACU students, faculty and supporters in a concert at the Phoenix Convention Center on April 5, 2013. Subsequent Daniel Awards have been presented to Hobby Lobby founders David and Barbara Green and Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson.

Other speakers on ACU's campus have included author Eric Metaxas and politicians Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), and Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ08).

Athletics[]

Arizona Christian athletic teams, nicknamed the Firestorm, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). The Firestorm also compete as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and Sooner Athletic Conference for football. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, swimming, lacrosse, and football; while women's sports include acrotumbling, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and sand volleyball.

Following the hiring of baseball coach Doyle Wilson—a top assistant at the University of Southern California who has recruited and coached dozens of former or current Major Leaguers—in 2012 the university completed construction of a new baseball field on campus. That same season, the Firestorm baseball team won the Association of Independent Institutions Conference Championship, Coach Wilson was named A.I.I. Coach of the Year, five team members received All-A.I.I. Honors, and two players were drafted in the Major League Baseball draft.[9] In 2012 Firestorm Baseball won the Association of Independent Institutions Conference Championship and former baseball coach Doyle Wilson was named A.I.I. Coach of the Year, and five team members received All-A.I.I. Honors.

In 2013, ACU announced the hiring of former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher Bill Swift. Since its inception in 2012, Firestorm Baseball has seen nine students taken in the Major League draft.

In 2013, Arizona Christian University Firestorm football announced that it would be adding football in fall 2014, becoming one of four four-year universities in Arizona offering the sport.[10] During the 2014 season, Firestorm Football had five games televised on Cox7.[11] In 2015, ACU began competition in Central States Football League (CSFL). The Firestorm went undefeated in CSFL play en route to winning the conference championship. They finished the season 6-3 and ranked #22 in the NAIA. During the off-season, Head Coach Donnie Yantis took a job with Arizona State Sun Devils football. Assistant Head Coach Jeff Bowen was then promoted to head coach of the program. The 2016 season showed similar results with the team finishing undefeated in conference play and 7-3 overall, winning their second consecutive CSFL Championship. The team again finished the season ranked #22 in the nation.[12] In 2018, the entire membership of the CSFL was transferred to the Sooner Athletic Conference for football.

Patson Siame, who joined the basketball team in 2016, was part of the world select team at the 2012 Nike Hoop Summit.

Spiritual formation[]

ACU is a non-denominational, evangelical Christian institution where applicants are required to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and agree to take part in ACU's spiritual formation activities, which include attending twice-weekly chapel services and taking 18 credit-hours of Bible. Upon application, students also acknowledge their agreement with the University's Statement of Faith:[13]

The University shall be positively conservative in its stand regarding the Scriptures, in their 66 canonical books, as being the only trustworthy and authoritative written revelation of God. Its fellowship and discipline shall be predicated upon the following Declaration of Faith:

1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as being verbally inspired by God and therefore inerrant in their original writings and the only authority on all issues of faith, life, and practice. Psalm 19:7; Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

2. We believe in one Triune God, creator of all things, infinite and unchangeable in His being, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21-22; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:18-19; I Corinthians 8:6

3. We believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, is fully God and fully man in one person, and is the only Mediator between God and man. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-7; John 1:1-14; 1 Timothy 2:5-6

4. We believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is from all eternity, is sent by the Father and the Son, as promised, to convict the world of sin, to glorify Jesus Christ and to transform the lives of believers into the likeness of Christ. Psalm 139:7; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; John 16:8; I Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30

5. We believe that God created man and woman in His image and likeness, so they are thus endowed with immeasurable dignity and worth, but they sinned and therefore all human beings are born separated from God with a sinful nature. Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 3:1-24; Genesis 9:6; James 3:9; Romans 5:12

6. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and that all who trust in Him alone are justified on the grounds of his shed blood. 2 Corinthians 5:15, 21; Romans 3:23-26, 5:1; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Acts 16:30-31

7. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone are born again of the Holy Spirit and are called to walk in a manner worthy of this salvation. John 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 14:16-17; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:1; 4:20-24; Colossians 1:18, 24

8. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that He ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father to rule and intercede for us. Romans 1:4; 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:31-34

9. We believe in “that Blessed Hope” of Christ’s second coming, which is the personal return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 110:1; Acts 1:11; Acts 2:34-35; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28; 50-55; Titus 2:13; Revelation 7:10

10. We believe the Church is made up of believers in Christ; which manifests itself in local assemblies, gifted by the Holy Spirit for the building up of one another in love and for engagement, service and influence in the world. Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:4-13; Ephesians 4:4-13; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:8

11. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost along with Satan and other fallen angels. Matthew 25:34, 41, 46; Revelation 20:10-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:9

12. We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person, and is sinful and offensive to God. Gen. 1:26-27

13. We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. Gen. 2:18-25; 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4; Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10

14. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Arizona Christian University and to provide a biblical role model to students and the community, all persons employed by ACU in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, affrm, agree to and abide by all elements of this Statement of Faith, including those relating to gender identity, marriage and sexuality. Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22

References[]

  1. ^ "Contact ACU". Arizona Christian University.
  2. ^ "Ida Clouse, Serial Land Patent in Maricopa County, Arizona" (JPG). The Land Patents. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office. 29 September 1917. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Contact ACU". Arizona Christian University. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  4. ^ Hake, Cale (20 August 2021). "ACU Welcomes Largest Freshman Class in History to Campus - Arizona Christian University". Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  5. ^ "President's Committee - Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)". Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Paul Westphal, the former head coach of the Phoenix Suns and the Seattle SuperSonics, will be introduced tomorrow afternoon as the new head basketball coach at Pepperdine". Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Arizona Christian University reaches for higher profile".
  8. ^ Janet Chismar. "Arizona Christian University Honors Franklin Graham". Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
  9. ^ "Doyle Wilson hire at Arizona Christian a boost for baseball". PHXFan.com.
  10. ^ "Arizona Christian University starting football program that will begin play in 2014". azcentral.com.
  11. ^ "Arizona Christian University". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.
  12. ^ http://www.centralstatesfootball.com/article/131.php
  13. ^ "Statement of Faith" (PDF).

External links[]

Coordinates: 33°35′45″N 112°01′34″W / 33.595894°N 112.026026°W / 33.595894; -112.026026

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