Looking Ahead in Biblical Higher Education

Summer Series 2026 - Esther Zimmerman

Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series created to encourage and support leaders in Christian higher education. Every other week, we’ll revisit some of the most popular conversations from past seasons, with practical insights and meaningful reminders about the importance of Christ-centered education. This episode originally aired September 2025 ___ Title: Why Children’s Ministry Matters More Than Ever How can the church and higher education take children seriously in discipleship? Esther Zimmerman, Program Chair of Undergraduate Ministry Studies at Lancaster Bible College and global advocate for children, joins us to share her journey in children’s ministry and her conviction that investing in kids is one of the most strategic ways to advance the kingdom of God.  We explore why children are often overlooked, how broken systems leave them vulnerable, and what faithful discipleship looks like for the next generation. From sobering global statistics to hopeful grassroots stories, this episode calls the church to put children at the center of ministry, not the margins. ___ 🎧 Tune In to Discover ▫️ Why children’s ministry is the most strategic investment for the future of the church ▫️ How cultural perceptions have reduced ministry to babysitting rather than discipleship ▫️ What global realities reveal about children’s vulnerability and the church’s response ▫️ How higher education can shape leaders to take children seriously in theology and practice ___ Inside the Episode 02:18 Esther’s journey into children’s ministry and why she stayed 05:34 Misconceptions of children’s ministry in the West vs. globally 09:15 Why broken systems place the heaviest weight on children 12:01 Troubling trends and hopeful signs in global children’s ministry 18:37 Three practical ways to disciple and advocate for children 24:10 How seminaries and Bible colleges can integrate children into their curriculum ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=39279f0c4ac94b63], or our website [https://www.abhe.org/podcast/], or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast [https://thehigheredmarketer.com/] Network.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Looking Ahead in Biblical Higher Education

A season finale unlike any before it, this episode turns the microphone inward as ABHE President Philip Dearborn reflects on the state of biblical higher education. With clarity and conviction, he shares what is encouraging, what is challenging, and what is at stake for institutions committed to Christ and the authority of Scripture. From stories across campuses to urgent policy concerns in Washington, this conversation is both a celebration and a call to action for leaders shaping the next generation. ___ Tune in to discover: ▫️What is fueling growth and momentum across ABHE institutions ▫️Why mission-driven “boutique” colleges still have a vital role today ▫️How spiritual formation remains central to student development ▫️Key innovations shaping the future, including AI and new models ▫️The most pressing challenges, from silos to mission drift ___ Inside the Episode: 02:28 – What encourages growth across ABHE institutions 07:17 – Why “boutique” mission-driven schools still matter 09:38 – The central role of spiritual formation on campus 14:15 – Innovation trends, AI, and new educational models 18:55 – Launching the ABHE Leadership Academy 23:37 – Challenges of silos and mission drift 28:18 – A major federal policy threat impacting biblical programs 33:03 – Final encouragement for leaders and institutions ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

A Path to Brain Healing and Intimacy with God Through Journaling

A life that looks steady on the surface can still carry deep, unspoken pain. Alison Byxbe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonbyxbe/] shares a vulnerable and redemptive journey through grief, unexpected diagnoses, and emotional exhaustion, revealing how God met her in the midst of it all. Through the practice of journaling, she discovered not only healing but a deeper intimacy with the Lord, offering a pathway for others to process pain with honesty and hope. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️ How journaling supports emotional and spiritual healing ▫️ The connection between writing and brain integration ▫️ Breaking stigma around counseling and mental health ▫️ Practical ways to use journaling in everyday life. ___ Inside the Episode 02:00 – Hidden struggles behind a positive exterior 05:20 – Grief, diagnosis, and compounded emotional weight 10:22 – Normalizing counseling and mental health care 17:47 – Why journaling is powerful for healing and brain integration 21:24 – Using prompts to unlock deeper reflection 23:30 – Practical ways campuses can integrate journaling 25:42 – Journaling rhythms and seasons of life 26:30 – Pairing journaling with prayer and meditation ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=39279f0c4ac94b63], or our website [https://www.abhe.org/podcast/], or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast [https://thehigheredmarketer.com/] Network.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Persecution and the Global Church

What does it mean to live out faith in a world where belief can cost everything? Ed Brown [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-brown-9aa8a2170/], Secretary General of Stefanus Alliance International [https://www.stefanus-usa.org/], brings a global perspective shaped by frontline work with persecuted communities. Through powerful stories and firsthand insight, this conversation explores the tension between religious freedom and gospel witness, revealing both the quiet pressures and extreme realities faced by believers, and why defending human dignity opens doors for the message of Christ to be heard. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️How persecution shows up on a spectrum, from subtle discrimination to extreme violence ▫️Why defending human rights creates opportunities to share the gospel ▫️The theological foundation for advocating for all people, not just Christians ▫️Practical ways Christian higher education can engage and respond globally. ___ Inside the Episode 02:39 – The mission and global impact of Stefanus Alliance International 06:45 – Organizational pivots and rediscovering purpose after the Iron Curtain 12:49 – The spectrum of persecution, from discrimination to violence 17:52 – A pastor’s story of persecution and misunderstanding in India 24:08 – The theology behind advocating for human rights 30:46 – Human rights as a bridge for gospel conversations 33:53 – Practical ways Christian higher education can engage globally ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=39279f0c4ac94b63], or our website [https://www.abhe.org/podcast/], or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast [https://thehigheredmarketer.com/] Network.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Teaching Through a Biblical Worldview

Most professors in higher education are trained deeply in their disciplines but rarely trained in how to teach through a biblical worldview. That gap shapes how future leaders think, practice, and integrate faith into their fields. Seth Scott [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-scott-212353a/], Columbia International University, shares why worldview awareness is essential for Christian higher education and how educators and counselors can begin the work of disentangling secular assumptions from their training. Seth offers a thoughtful vision for forming practitioners who are both clinically excellent and biblically grounded. 🎧 Tune In to Discover * Why most higher education faculty are trained in content but not in teaching or worldview formation * How hidden worldview assumptions shape disciplines like counseling and psychology * The difference between biblical integration and biblical worldview immersion * How the CARE Institute is equipping counselors to practice from a Christ-centered worldview * Three practical steps faculty and leaders can take to cultivate biblical worldview thinking 🎙️ Inside the Episode 04:54 – How worldview shapes counseling and the way we understand people 10:41 – The Emmaus road story as a model for unlearning and relearning truth 17:36 – The vision behind the CARE Institute and training counselors 30:47 – Three practical steps for faculty pursuing biblical worldview formation To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-higher-ed-talk/id1703844686], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6OcZt5RwEr0gmhgPeGWSFQ?si=39279f0c4ac94b63], or our website [https://www.abhe.org/podcast/], or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast [https://thehigheredmarketer.com/] Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.