I’m Kristina Brandenburg, and I’m a senior at Grace Christian University majoring in Business. The Business program at Grace is ministry-focused, and I’d like to share how this unique approach has shaped my entrepreneurial dreams and my faith.
Why I Chose Grace
I really loved the community aspect of Grace and how the school is so focused on ministry in every aspect of your life, no matter what you end up doing. That integration of faith and vocation was exactly what I was looking for in a college experience.
Learn, Grow, Serve
Grace’s objectives of Learn, Grow, and Serve are all connected in a beautiful cycle. You learn, and then you grow, and then you serve, and it goes around again. The more you grow, the more you want to serve. The more you serve, the more you want to learn. This continuous cycle has been central to my experience at Grace and has shaped how I think about business and ministry together.
Why Choose Business at Grace
If you’re considering coming to Grace for Business, I would say be ready to have a lot of fun and to learn how to use your degree in any way you can imagine. It’s so flexible, whatever you’re considering doing with your business degree, it’ll work out. The program equips you for ministry, entrepreneurship, corporate work, or whatever path God is calling you toward.
The Value of My Degree
I think earning a college degree is a good step for wherever you want to end up in life. I want to open my own business, so I’m working to learn more, first about business in general, and then how to apply that to my own business. The education I’m receiving at Grace is giving me the foundation I need to pursue that dream.
My Internship Experience
Right now, I’m interning for Rick Pilieci , and it’s been an incredible learning experience. I run the Grace Ministry team and lead worship most Sundays at different churches. I also run the marketing for a lot of things on campus.
This internship has taught me so much about what works and what doesn’t work in marketing, which will be invaluable for my future business. Working with Rick has also shown me how to work with people and churches effectively, and I’ve learned how to lead worship in different contexts. These practical experiences have been just as valuable as my classroom learning.
How Grace Has Shaped Me
The community at Grace has really shaped who I’m becoming, especially this year. We’re constantly challenging each other and growing into people who follow God in every aspect of our lives. That’s what makes Grace special, it’s not just about academics, it’s about becoming the person God created you to be.
My coach has definitely been one person at Grace who has impacted my view on life. He’s always been there for me and the team. Whenever you’re struggling with something, he really has God pour into all of that. He speaks truth over you, and that kind of investment makes all the difference.
A Day in Someone Else’s Shoes
If I could swap places with any Grace professor or staff member for a day, it would be our Librarian Erin Huebner. I’ve always loved her job and have always wanted to be a librarian. I think it would be fun to experience what her day-to-day looks like!
Just for Fun
My go-to coffee order is a honey lavender latte, and my favorite snack is Cheez-Its.
The Grace Impact
Grace Christian University has given me more than just a business education, it’s shown me how to integrate my faith with my entrepreneurial dreams. The ministry-focused approach means I’m not just learning how to run a business; I’m learning how to use business as a platform for serving God and others.
The flexibility of the program, combined with hands-on experiences like my internship, has equipped me with practical skills in marketing, leadership, and ministry. For anyone considering business at Grace, I can confidently say this program will prepare you to use your degree in whatever way God calls you. The community here will challenge you, support you, and help you grow into someone who follows God in every aspect of life.
