Pursuing an online Christian college degree doesn’t mean you have to navigate your educational journey alone. At Grace Christian University, online students are experiencing a thriving community through intentional connection points designed to foster relationships with meaningful engagement, all part of the university’s vision that “Every Student is Transformed by Learning Experiences and Relationships.”
Introducing Grace Connect
Grace Christian University is transforming the online learning experience through Grace Connect, a comprehensive initiative that offers four distinct connection points throughout each semester. These opportunities allow students to get plugged into an authentic community while maintaining the flexibility that makes online education so valuable for working professionals and busy parents.
Working in partnership with Student Affairs, the Online Student Services team is making transformational relationships a reality for online students by increasing connection opportunities that go beyond the virtual classroom. Whether you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Leadership & Ministry, Psychology, Human Services, Business, or one of Grace’s graduate programs, including the MA in Higher Education Leadership, MA in Ministry, MA in Organizational Leadership, or MBA, these connection points are designed to help you build meaningful relationships rooted in faith.
Four Ways to Connect This Semester
Connect in the Word: Daily Bible Reading Plan Led by Lindsay Baggett
Beginning January 1, 2026, members of the Grace online community are invited to journey through the entire Bible together. This is an opportunity to be encouraged, connected, and transformed as you learn to see Scripture as one unified story that leads to Jesus.
As you read through God’s Word alongside your classmates, you’ll discover fresh insights, engage in discussions about what you’re learning, and experience the impact of studying Scripture in community. This daily practice will deepen your biblical foundation while connecting you with students from across the country who share your commitment to knowing God more deeply.
Connect in Prayer: Friday Morning Prayer Meeting Led by Ryan Huggins
Starting January 9th, students and staff are invited to gather every Friday morning from 7:30 to 8:00 AM EST for a powerful time of intercession and Scripture-guided prayer. There’s something profoundly encouraging about beginning your day by lifting one another up in prayer and seeking God’s presence together.
These weekly prayer calls create a space where you can share prayer requests, receive support from your Grace family, and experience the unity that comes from praying together. Whatever you are facing in life, you’ll find a caring community ready to stand with you in faith.
Connect in Worship: Monthly Night of Worship Led by Charles Vergara
Beginning January 5th and continuing on the Monday before undergraduate courses begin each month, the entire online community is invited to pause, reset, and pursue God’s presence through worship and prayer. In the midst of busy schedules filled with coursework, family responsibilities, and work commitments, these monthly gatherings offer a refreshing opportunity to refocus your heart on what matters most.
Through corporate worship, you’ll experience the joy of praising God alongside your fellow students, creating moments of spiritual renewal that will sustain you throughout the month. These nights of worship remind us that our education at Grace isn’t just about gaining knowledge, it’s about encountering the living God and growing in relationship with Him.
Connect in Community: In-Person Gatherings Led by Statia Smith-Merrihew
For online students who live near Grace’s campus in Michigan, there’s an exciting opportunity to connect face-to-face throughout the year. These in-person gatherings allow you to put faces to names, share meals, and experience the vibrant Grace campus community firsthand.
Upcoming In-Person Events:
- January 22nd at 5:30 PM: Dinner in the dining hall followed by a Grace Tigers basketball game
- March 28th at 3:00 PM: Grace Tigers baseball game at Kellogg Woods Park
These events offer the opportunity to meet face-to-face with others in the Grace community and build deeper personal connections.
RSVP to Statia at ssmith@gracechristian.edu
The Grace Difference
What sets Grace Christian University’s online programs apart is the commitment to providing the same high-quality, Bible-centered education online as students receive on campus. From undergraduate degrees in Business, Psychology, Human Services, and Leadership & Ministry to graduate programs including the MA in Higher Education Leadership, MA in Ministry, MA in Organizational Leadership, and MBA, every program professor integrates a biblical perspective on what they are teaching. This ensures that regardless of your major, you’ll graduate with a deeper knowledge of God and His Word, equipped not just with professional skills but with the biblical foundation to serve the Lord and make an eternal impact.
The Grace Connect initiative embodies the university’s core conviction that education is about more than just earning a degree. It’s about being transformed through relationships, growing in your faith, and preparing to make an eternal impact wherever God calls you. As one online graduate shared.
“Going back to school after ten years, I was extremely nervous and a little overwhelmed because all my classes are online. However, the faculty at Grace are extremely helpful and supportive in making sure students can navigate successfully through their first semester. I can honestly say I have grown spiritually and emotionally. My desire is to please God and continue to share the gospel of Jesus.”
Shamea E
Leadership & Ministry, Online
Learn, Grow, & Serve at Grace
At Grace Christian University, your online education is built on three foundational pillars:
Learn—You’ll study under professors who integrate biblical truth with academic excellence in every program, from business and psychology to ministry and human services. All Grace degrees integrate Biblical teaching, ensuring that regardless of your major, what you learn here won’t just inform your career; it will form your character and deepen your knowledge of God and His Word.
Grow—College is more than coursework; it’s a pivotal time of growth in your life. Through Grace Connect and our caring community of faculty and students, you’ll find mentors, friends, and leaders who help shape your character and deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll experience growth that extends far beyond the virtual classroom.
Serve—Faith finds its fullest expression in action. At Grace, you’ll discover how to apply your education to serve others in your workplace, your church, your community, and wherever God calls you. You’ll graduate prepared to make an eternal impact for Christ.
Join the Grace Community.
Online classes at Grace Christian University aren’t meant to be done alone. No matter where you’re starting, an associate degree, a bachelor’s program, or graduate studies, you’ll find a community that supports you along the way. Classes are flexible for busy schedules. Professors are present, approachable, and invested in your growth. Grace Connect creates space to connect with others who are walking the same path.
If you’re looking for online Christian education that values both learning and community, Grace may be the right fit. Visit our programs page to explore our online programs and see what it means to be part of the Grace community.
Online Programs
