Welch Graduates Are Citizens of Two Cities

By Kevin Hester

A college education is often thought to be ultimately about getting a job. Welch College graduates do that and more. Ninety-six percent of Welch graduates in the last five years are employed. Job satisfaction rates (89%) and employment in the field of education (69%) indicate a Welch College education prepares graduates for the work force as well as any other institution. But a Welch education is about more than a job. Welch desires to help its graduates come to understand their place as citizens in the “city of God” and the “city of man,” to use the language of Augustine of Hippo.

The mission of Welch College is “to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life.” Welch College has labored tirelessly to inculcate this mission in students as expressed in its institutional objectives. Welch measures success in meeting these objectives in a number of ways, but one of the most significant is the biennial Survey of Recent College Graduates. This survey is administered to college graduates from the last five years. The most recent survey was conducted in late fall 2022. Some of the most striking findings from this report are detailed below.

Leadership for the Culture

In 2020, as part of Welch College’s decennial reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Welch announced a Quality Enhancement Plan centered on principles of civic leadership. This new initiative, titled “CITIZENS: Civic Literacy, Civic Discernment, and Civic Engagement,” was designed to help students bring the values of Christ’s Kingdom to bear on the surrounding culture.

The college created a new general education course to introduce civics from a Christian perspective. In addition, the college identified various new, civic-oriented learning opportunities through Christian service. Finally, several co-curricular offerings such as Constitution Day, voter registration emphases, and blood drives highlighted Christian views on citizenship and service. These efforts appear to be bearing fruit in the voting habits of graduates and in their engagement in volunteer service in their communities.

Ninety-six percent of Welch College graduates over the past five years have registered to vote. In the most recent mid-term national election, almost 75% of those same graduates voted. But these students aren’t simply interested in national issues. Well over half (58%) of these students voted in their most recent local elections. These numbers demonstrate Welch College graduates are engaged in the political process and committed to making their voices heard.

Various news and media outlets have touted the growth in voting habits by this age demographic, celebrating that 27% of voters under age 30 cast a ballot in the most recent national election. The last presidential election estimated the voting percentage for this age demographic at 50%. While impressive, this pales in comparison to 75% of Welch College graduates in the same age bracket who reported voting in the 2022 mid-term election.

Similar comparisons can be made when reviewing the volunteer service of Welch graduates. The most recent data on volunteering was gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau in its 2019 Current Population Survey: Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement. The data was sponsored by Americorps and published December 2021. It reported approximately 30% of Americans volunteer time for various organizations including churches. Demographics impacted this number significantly. Baby Boomers volunteered at 31%, Generation X at 35%, and Millennials at 28%. The census further reported approximately 17% of those ages 20-30 volunteered.

While Welch College graduates demonstrate a robust employment rate (96%), and many are engaged in graduate education (46%), they also reported volunteering at a rate of 37.5%. (Further, this number does not include volunteering at church, although it is included in the nationwide volunteerism rates cited above). Not only do Welch College graduates exceed their peer group by 20%, but their volunteer work also surpasses the national average and the average for all other demographic categories. These graduates take seriously the commitment learned at Welch College to “serve Christ, His Church, and His world” with 66% of them indicating their experiences at Welch were instrumental in encouraging their ongoing commitment to community service.

Leadership for the Church

Welch College celebrates these successes among its graduates, yet its core focus always has been service to the church. Serving our neighbors and fulfilling our civic duties are important parts of a Welch College education, but service to Christ and His Church has always been the heart and core of our mission.

Welch graduates are active church members and regular attenders. Ninety-four percent of all respondents reported regular engagement in their local congregation. This compares to the 39% average weekly attendance of those age 24-38 in Barna’s 2022 Weekly Church Attendance Survey. But Welch graduates don’t simply attend; they serve! Almost half (46%) of male graduates in the last five years report being actively engaged in preaching ministry. Almost half serve as teachers (49%) or in children’s ministry (46%). Thirty-nine percent are involved in music ministry, and 39% are specifically engaged in disciple-making ministry. They attested to Welch College’s contribution in preparing them for their active service as well. Ninety-one percent of all respondents indicated the ministry training they received met their expectations, and 96% said Welch College’s biblical and theological studies prepared them for the ministries in which they are engaged.

A Welch College education isn’t just about the numbers; it’s ultimately about the people. As I read these reports, I am encouraged by the difference our graduates are making in their churches and communities. I am thankful for the support of our denomination. It is only as you pray for us, provide for us, and point your children toward attendance that Welch College can complete its mission. This mission is ultimately fulfilled when graduates are supporting our denomination as Christian leaders committed to loving God and loving others as themselves. Jesus told us the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Small things can produce mighty results. May this seed continue to grow and bear fruit for His Kingdom.

About the Author: Dr. Kevin Hester is senior professor of divinity, dean of the School of Theology, and program coordinator for theological studies at Welch College. He is also a member of the Free Will Baptist Commission for Theological Integrity. Learn more: FWBTheology.com.