FAQ Friday - Faith at PLNU

Faith

1.    Do you have to be a Christian to go to PLNU?
          +    PLNU is a vibrant, active Christian community, but we don’t require that our applicants come from any specific faith backgrounds. 
2.    What if you don’t come from a strong faith background- will I still fit in?
          +    Excellent question.  We strive to be a community where students are challenged to grow in their faith, whether faith has always been a part of their lives, or whether students are still trying to figure out where faith fits into who they are.  We hope to be a community that welcomes students seeking that growth with open arms! 
3.    How is faith integrated into academics at PLNU?
          +    Faith is a part of life at PLNU.  One of our professors says it best: “What I came to learn, and what I still find true among my colleagues, is that they did not feel the need to integrate their faith and their intellectual lives because the two had never been separated. I found a community that took seriously the command to love God with all our minds. Thinking about faith seemed as natural to me as a student in this community as praying, as loving those in need, as worshiping together. It still feels this way now as a faculty member.” –Dr. Karl Martin
4.    Are your professors all Christian?
          +    Yes.  Professors’ faith background and Christian journeys are a big part of the hiring process here.  Click here for just a few of their stories!
5.    Are there faith-based requirements at PLNU?
          +    Every student at PLNU takes three courses from our School of Theology and Christian Ministry as a part of the general education: History of the Old Testament and History of the New Testament are the first two, and the third class can be selected from several other course offerings.   In addition to those three courses, students attend chapel a certain number of times each semester.
6.    Do you offer missions trips?
          +    Definitely…and so many!  In addition to our many Mexico ministries that arrange outreach work weekly, we also offer formal missions trips for students to get plugged into!  LoveWorks is a nationally recognized international missions program and has sent students to more than 60 world areas.  SALT Mission Camps pair PLNU students with high school students who are ready to serve in high need areas!