School of Theology & Christian Ministry

The diversity of experience and preparation of our faculty makes for a rich and challenging learning environment, while our varied courses of study offer a stimulating range of options from which to choose.

Overview

Serving God and Humanity

Preparing students to serve God and people in the setting of today’s Church is foundational to the mission of Olivet Nazarene University.

Students enter with a desire to serve and graduate prepared to serve. A degree from Olivet’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry is a comprehensive one that provides entry-level knowledge and skills in the areas of biblical studies, theology, philosophy and the history of Christianity, as well as practices such as Christian education and spiritual formation.

From the Dean

“We hope to ignite a passion within the student population for God’s work in their lives.”

The School of Theology and Christian Ministry mission is to equip students with skills, content and knowledge for those preparing for ministry and further academic pursuits within Christian studies. We recognize God is wanting to do a work within students, and our aim is to help them to see that more clearly, to become passionate about that, and to then equip them to better be able to respond to that.

Male student preacher in Centennial Chapel

Group of smiling students outside of Burke

Areas of Study

Explore the Programs within the School of Theology & Christian Ministry

With several areas of study and numerous degree and certificate options within each area, the School of Theology & Christian Ministry offers the skills and opportunities to shape your future.

Biblical Languages

The Biblical Languages minor is perfect for students who desire the opportunity to study foundational scriptural documents in ways not possible in English translation alone.

Biblical Studies

Methodologies, both past and present, are introduced and utilized in order to help students comprehend the Bible’s message in its original cultural setting and to consider its implications for a contemporary audience.

Children’s Ministry

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Children’s Ministry is designed to prepare individuals to fulfill their call to serve children and families in the church.

Christian Education

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or minor in Christian Education is utilized for those seeking to have a solid foundation of what discipleship means in the local church.

Christian Studies

Greek

The Greek minor is perfect for students who desire the opportunity to study foundational scriptural documents in ways not possible in English translation alone.

Hebrew

The Hebrew is perfect for students who desire the opportunity to study foundational scriptural documents in ways not possible in English translation alone.

Intercultural Studies

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree or minor in Intercultural Studies is ideal for students who long to expand their view of the world through the study of other cultures.

Ministerial Missions

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Ministerial Missions is designed for students who have a calling to have an impact on the world for Christ.

Pastoral Ministry

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Pastoral Ministry is ideal for those students called to pursue full-time ministry in the church, or those choosing to pursue continued studies beyond the undergraduate.

Philosophy

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or minor in Philosophy is an excellent supplement to any course of study. Every person is a philosopher of sorts and studying philosophy is a great way to bring out the philosopher in you.

Philosophy & Religion

Theology

Theology, at its core, is the study of God and how God relates to our world. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religion and the minor Theology are for students who want to engage in the academic study of God.

Youth Ministry

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or minor in Youth Ministry has been approved by the Course of Study Advisory Committee to meet educational requirements for ordination as an elder/deacon in the Church of the Nazarene

Find Your Path at Olivet

Majors, minors, concentrations and areas of study can be overwhelming. Our innovative search feature allows you to choose general areas of interest, and see which ONU program you’d like to explore.

Find Your Interest

Higher Learning

Theology & Ministry Graduate Programs

Our programs are relevant, current, and designed to meet the needs of the adult learner.

We provide master’s degrees and certificate programs in several areas to help you sharpen your skills and advance your career, all in a convenient, accelerated format.

View Graduate Programs

Recognition

You’ll Be In Excellent Company

School of Theology & Christian Ministry Alumni have been seen at:

Ways to Get Involved

There’s More to Education than Books and Lectures

That’s especially true for ministry students. Olivet offers many opportunities for students to put their faith to work.

Salvation Army Partnership

The Salvation Army and ONU partnership is designed so officers can continue the education they began at the CFOT through The Salvation Army Officer Continuing Education Program (SACEP). The SACEP equips officers with the skills needed to better serve in today’s changing communities, where they are called to serve.

ONU Engineering students gathered for a group photo as "missioneers"

Opportunities to Serve

Olivet offers many opportunities for students to put their faith to work: mission trips, volunteering and service in local churches, to name a few. In the process, students grow into the leaders the world needs.

The Rev. Dr. Fay Quanstrom Chair for Pastoral Leadership

Endowed Chair

The purpose of this particular gift is to provide support to a person who is engaged in preparing both women and men to follow God’s call into ministry with special emphasis on the training and encouraging of women in ministry.

School of Theology & Christian Ministry Faculty

Meet Dr. Charles Perabeau

Dr. Perabeau is the Dean of the School of Theology & Christian Ministry.

Dr. Perabeau has extensive faculty experience at Drew Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary, and for the past sixteen years, at Olivet as a professor of Sociology, where he also served as chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and taught in the University’s Honors Program and Ed.D. program. He is fluent in Spanish, has a passion for international missions, and has led a number of student trips to Latin America.

Meet more School of Theology & Christian Ministry Faculty

Center for Faith & Family

Implementing Faith in the Lives of Families

The Center for Faith & Family (CFF) exists to train, equip and provide resources for parents and caregivers to effectively pass along their faith to their children.

CFF began in 2023 at ONU with grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the planning and implementation of a Christian parenting program. Grant funds will be used over a five-year period to support the development of training and family resources. ONU is one of only 18 organizations to receive grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative in its invitational phase.

Learn more about the Center

“Teaching isn’t for the purpose of data aquisition but for application. If the student doesn’t know how to apply the information, then real teaching has not taken place.”

Leon Blanchette

Director, Center for Faith & Family

Doctor of Education: Ethical Leadership

Deciding to earn a doctoral degree is a decision to transform your life through academic pursuits, vocational development and spiritual maturation. The faculty and staff at Olivet are committed to your personal and career development as you strive to earn your doctorate.

Learn More

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In the News

Updates and Features from the Olivet campus and beyond.

Faculty and Student news plus highlights from Alumni and Friends. View Olivet News

May 13, 2025

Unraveling Traditional Texts with a Hebrew Sefer Torah Scroll

Historical artifact gives Olivet students and faculty unique hands-on interaction with ancient text

May 12, 2025

School of Education Professors Going Deeper and Learning More | Olivet The Magazine

“Faculty members are enhancing their own expertise while also elevating our students’ education by bringing fresh insights, advanced research and a deeper understanding of the issues shaping education today.”