Overview

The missions minor features six courses that range from religion to economics to sociology. You can choose to pair a minor in missions with nearly any other academic program—whether you're studying to be an engineer or a violinist, the missions minor will help prepare you to do God's work in a variety of countries.

Careers in Missions

• Relief Worker
• Chaplain
• Pastor
• Teacher
• Missionary

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Join Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; go on a spring break trip with the Service-Learning Center; volunteer within the Grand Rapids Community at schools, churches, blood banks, hospitals, senior centers and more; intern at a local church or non-profit organization; help plan the Faith and International Development Conference.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Missions

(18 semester hours)

• REL-251 Christianity and Religious Plurality
• REL-252 Introduction to Missions
• SOC-253 Intercultural Communication
• Three courses (chosen in consultation with an advisor) from:
  • REL-255 World Religions
  • REL-352 Judaism
  • REL-353 Islam
  • REL-354 Hinduism
  • REL-355 Buddhism
  • REL-356 Confucianism
  • GEOG-240 Latin America
  • SOC-153 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
  • ECON-337 World Poverty and Economic Development
  • IDS-201 Introduction to International Development
  • area study courses:
    • HIST-233 Modern Middle East
    • HIST-235 India and Its World
    • HIST-238 Latin American History
    • HIST-242 Africa and the World
    • HIST-245 East Asia to 1800
    • HIST-246 East Asia since 1800
    • HIST-331 Studies in Middle Eastern History
    • HIST-338 Mexico and the Americas
    • HIST-355 American Intellectual History
    • HIST-371 Asia and the Pacific since 1850
    • SPAN-310 Hispanic Culture in the United States
  • an appropriate interim course
  • other courses approved by the advisor as part of an introduction to holistic missions

The missions minor is for students interested in missions and other cross-cultural ministries. D. Obenchain is the advisor for the missions minor.

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

Dr. and Mrs. Harvey J. Bratt Medical and Missions Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.00+
• financial need considered; interest in service to the poor and needy
• apply through the Calvin Portal

John and Marjorie Cooper Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; dedicated to the cause of Christian missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Eugene and Joan Deur Scholarship

• award amount: $2,400
• sophomore or junior education major, pursuing a pre-ministry program or missions
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Jennie and Sylvia Stielstra Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• any class level
• HS GPA 3.0+; Calvin GPA 2.7+
• financial need required; preference given to children of missionaries
• prospective students submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office (finaid@calvin.edu) describing your qualifications by February 1; returning students apply through the Calvin Portal

Joseph and Ralph Gelmer Vander Laan Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• good academic record
• financial need required; interest in medical missions
• apply through the Calvin Portal

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty