In making a decision that may affect one for the rest of one’s life, one has to get beyond this though. Anytime there is a major event on a college or university campus, any institution will want to impress the public, and many recognize that these events can become potential recruiting tools whether or not there is an attempt to personally confront a visitor about future enrollment. They want the person to visit once, then again, and keep coming back. This doesn’t necessarily even have to be academic. It may be a sports tournament, competition, exhibition, guest speaker, conference, too. It’s anything that gets the public onto the campus. The goal is to have visitors want to return as often as possible for as many events as possible and hopefully someday part-time or full-time enrollment or perhaps even employment and participation in a ministry. Many institutions will attract guest speakers by offering a vareity of gifts, recognitions, and honorary doctorate degrees. I’m not saying that a person may not deserve regootion from an accomplishment gained through experience. I like to know when I’m dealing with an honorary degree as opposed to a doctorate earned by traditional postgraduate education though. Whoever this person is, especially if attendance at an event is mandatory, this person is important to the administration and faculty and student body. After the excitment is over and life returns to its daily routine, just take time and go search the library or internet for biographies and news event privaetly. Try to learn as much as possible about guest speakers. I don’t mean just the wonderful information.

At many colleges and universities, attendance for guest speakers is not always required and in some cases might even be restricted or require purchase of tickets or some type of background security check. At most colleges and universities, the administration and faculty do not elevate themselves to deity. The focus must be God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, not a particular name. Of course, a person can elevate oneself to deityat any public or private campus also. Does the school allow for questioning among its faculty and administration and student body and patrons and visitors? If the answer is no, this is a clue that a problem might exist. The biggest mistake I made is that I didn’t stop and do further research and wait. I resent the pressure that was placed on me to make a decision in favor of this particular institution at the exclusion of others that could have been good options. I also resent the pressure to go to a non-regionally accredited institution as opposed to options which were regionally accredited. This doesn’t just mean regional accreditation, but also checking to see programs have professional accreditations and are established. The reputation of an institution will follow one for the rest of one’s life. one will be forever associated with one’s alma mater whether or not one wants by others. That can help or hurt an individiual much longer than one can ever imagine at the ages of 18-22. I say this because I think this age group is probably more vulnerable due to lack of experience. A mistake made at an early age can really close opportunities in the future. I know that many are taught that this is a time to just do on and do what one pleases. I know in many high school and college circles, the parents are not really given much weight except to pay the bills. This is the time of independence. It’s the great adventure of moving on.
But people care.

I think it’s sad when a parent doesn’t give a child a choice. There are options with colleges. One can even stay at a church and ministry near home. But many churches have ministries near colleges. There are also campus ministries. Many times a person does have a choice. In many schools, one is welcomed to make the choice but not harrassed when one doesn’t make the choice. It’s optional. Also in many schools. there are a lot of choices in respect to religious fellowships. I was told there was only one choice and as I look back, that should have been a clue.

I am not anti-Baptist. I am not in opposition to Christian organizations. I am only commenting on my own personal experience and on two specific ministries which are not regionally accredited.

This is my second post. I don’t know what happened the first time, probably user error. I’m just beginning to wrap my head around this problem that many of you are describing. I’m wondering is there a specific presentation of the gospel clearly and entirely on this site?
Do you recommend any specific denomination or church to attend?

Happy for any thoughts or recommendations,
Gordon