College Conversations

S3 More Than A Degree

S3 Why Am I So Tired?

S3 Designed to Influence

In this episode of College Conversations host Jeff Sherrod sits with Laurie Kagay, VP of Marketing and Enrollment, and students Olivia Beaverson and Mark Olivera. Together, they tackle the anxieties surrounding mandatory international mission trips for students and their parents. They discuss the challenges and rewards of international trips.  The conversation highlights the initial apprehension from both students and parents, focusing on safety concerns and the unknown.  The episode differentiates between highly facilitated trips and more independent immersion experiences, emphasizing the valuable learning and personal growth fostered by the latter, despite the increased challenges and anxieties.  Practical advice is offered for addressing parental concerns, focusing on the biblical basis for missions and the supportive team environment provided.  The episode concludes with encouragement for prospective students to embrace the challenges, learn from mistakes, and participate in God's global work.

This episode of College Conversations explores the vital role of mentorship in college success. Two student guests, Ethan and Maddie, join hosts Jeff Sherrod and Gregg Garner to share their experiences with the Institute's mentorship program, highlighting the challenges and rewards of intentional mentoring relationships. Despite initial apprehension and personality differences, both students ultimately found their mentors invaluable sources of support, guidance, and friendship. The episode also explains the program's structure, including mentor selection, matching processes, and strategies for addressing mismatches. The discussion emphasizes the importance of holistic student development, the benefits of formal mentorship programs over informal relationships, and the program's commitment to supporting students in finding the right mentor fit. Finally, the speakers offer practical advice for students seeking to maximize their mentorship experiences.

This podcast episode features a Q&A session with prospective students and families visiting the Institute for GOD. President Garner and Academic Dean Jeff Sherrod sit with current students Anthem Bloyer and Julian Carrion to address questions about campus life, academics, internships, and the Institute's unique approach to faith-based education. Key topics include: student life outside of campus, the importance of pre-college internships for ministry experience, the structure and workload of freshman classes (including a focus on Exodus), the Institute's integrated professional development (ProDev) program, the school's founding vision emphasizing strong biblical literacy, and how to discern God's calling regarding college choice. The episode highlights the Institute's commitment to providing a supportive community, practical skills training, and debt-free graduation with immediate job placement opportunities.

In this episode of College Conversations, host Jeff Sherrod, along with Gregg Garner and two Institute for GOD students, Emma Lyons and Kaiden Lindholm discuss the topic of "situationships"—a term that describes a relationship that is more than friendship but lacks the commitment of dating. They explore the complexities of modern relationships among Gen Z, discussing how social media influences these dynamics and the challenges of vulnerability and intimacy. The conversation highlights differing perspectives on relationships within Christian circles compared to more secular views, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in navigating these often ambiguous connections. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of relationships in today's world.

This discussion features college leaders, President Gregg Garner and Academic Dean Jeffrey Sherrod, reflecting on the experience with two college participants: Melanie Flores and Justice Garner. Mel and Justice share testimonies of how their professors' intentional investment—offering encouragement, spiritual guidance, and practical life skills—impact their college experience and beyond. 

The discussion highlights Gallup research emphasizing the strong correlation between positive faculty/administration relationships and student success. While students overwhelmingly value these connections, colleges often struggle to foster them effectively. 

The episode contrasts the societal push for student independence with a biblical perspective emphasizing community and mentorship. Faculty and staff participation in service trips, like the Morristown trip detailed by the guests, exemplifies this holistic approach to student development, fostering strong bonds and applying classroom learning in practical settings. The episode concludes with a call for colleges to prioritize kingdom building through intentional relationship-building, mirroring Jesus' model of discipleship.

The Institute for GOD: www.instituteforgod.edu

The Academy for GOD (K-12 school): www.academyforgod.org

Community Church for GOD (our on-campus church): www.cc4god.org

SLAM Missions: www.slamweb.org

This episode of "College Conversations," titled "Therapy versus Prayer," explores the complex intersection of mental health and faith, particularly within Hispanic communities. The discussion centers on the stigma surrounding therapy, generational differences in seeking help (with older generations often preferring faith-based support from pastors and churches over paid therapists), and the accessibility challenges, especially financial ones, faced by many Hispanic families. The panelists debate the roles of therapists and pastors in spiritual and mental well-being, questioning the effectiveness of therapy that solely affirms without challenging personal issues, and contrasting this with the transformative potential of a deep engagement with scripture. The conversation also touches upon the impact of social media's echo chambers and the lack of constructive criticism in online interactions, contributing to a culture of affirmation over accountability. Ultimately, the episode advocates for a balanced approach, emphasizing the importance of faith, accountability, supportive relationships, and prayer alongside professional help where needed.

Featured in this conversation: 

Institute Founder and President Gregg Garner 

Institute Academic Dean Jeffrey Sherrod

Institute Sophomore Julian Carrion (Philadelphia, PA)

Institute Sophomore Rebecca Castellanos (Morristown, TN)

More info about our school: www.instituteforgod.edu

More info about our president: www.gregggarner.com

This College Conversations podcast episode explores the reasons behind young people leaving the church. Institute students Elijah Lovelace and Brooke Vavold engage in a discussion centering on Barna Group research highlighting a significant decline in Christian identification among Gen Z, particularly among women.  Guests share personal experiences of feeling unseen and undervalued in large churches prioritizing numerical growth over genuine relationships and mentorship.  The conversation touches upon the impact of gender inequality, the "Church Too" movement, generational differences in understanding, and the role of church culture in fostering or hindering faith.  Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the need for churches to prioritize authentic community, meaningful mentorship, and genuine care for their members, particularly young people, to combat the growing trend of disaffiliation.

This kicks off our third season of College Conversations, hosted by Academic Dean Jeffrey Sherrod and featuring Institute Founder and President Gregg Garner.