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About

There Will Always Be

Something Special About Foster College

Situated on a 12.5-acre campus in the heart of urban Dallas, Texas, Foster College has proudly stood for a century, equipping individuals through transformative educational experiences to live, serve, and lead with integrity and a Bible-centered worldview. As we embark on our second century, we remain steadfast in providing a rigorous academic environment where modern education integrates with sound Christian doctrine and values—preparing graduates to exert Godly influence in their communities and beyond.

Mission

Our mission is to equip students to live, serve, and lead with Godly influence and impact in their communities and throughout the world.

Vision

Foster College exists to provide high-quality, Bible-centered education rooted in Christian values and academic excellence.

Core Values

Centrality of Scripture

  • We value the anchoring of all teaching, decision-making, behavior, and conflict resolution in God’s Word.

 

Dignity of Every Person

  • We value the honoring of every individual as God’s creation, deserving of love, respect, kindness, and compassion.

 

Growth through Learning

  • We value the recognition of each individual’s God-given potential and provision of pathways for their spiritual and personal development.

 

Godly Influence and Impact

  • We value the equipping of Christians to live, serve, and lead with Godly influence and impact in their homes, churches, workplaces, communities, and the world.

Foster College is an accredited Biblical higher education institution committed to providing Christ-centered academic experiences of the highest quality. Our faculty are exceptionally qualified, blending academic expertise with practical ministry experience to ensure instruction is rooted in sound doctrine and faithful practice. 

Students are admitted based on their Christian faith, academic readiness for undergraduate studies, and commitment to continued education. All academic programs and instruction at Foster College are grounded in the following principles that shape our philosophy of education:

 

Bible-Centered Worldview

  • We firmly believe that the Bible is central to all academic programs and vocational practices. Our educational approach is built upon servant leadership, grounded in Biblical teachings. We encourage critical inquiry, always upholding the Bible as the ultimate authority.

 

Faith Alignment

  • Our faculty and curriculum are aligned with the central doctrines of the Christian faith, as outlined in Foster College’s Biblical and Theological Distinctives. Academic learning complements Scriptural teachings across all disciplines, whether sacred or secular in nature.

 

Multi-Modality Learning

  • Academic instruction is to be relevant, truthful, and accessible across multiple learning modalities. While we honor traditional learning methods, we actively embrace innovative approaches to meet modern educational standards. Our commitment is to providing inclusive learning experiences—whether in the classroom, beyond the classroom, or in field education settings—ensuring all students have the opportunity to engage meaningfully and thrive purposefully on their path to success.

 

Influence and Impact 

  • The faculty and entire Foster College community are committed to modeling Godly influence, demonstrating Christ-honoring love through words and actions in all teaching, interactions, and practices.

 

Lifelong Learning 

  • We are resolved to encourage a lifelong passion for learning by emphasizing the integration of a Bible-centered worldview in every aspect of education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.

Foster College aims to graduate students with a Biblical higher education, enabling them to:

Deepen in Theological Studies

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Bible, proficiency in Bible study and interpretation, and a strong grasp of foundational theology and Biblical principles.

Integrate Biblical Wisdom with Broader Fields of Study

  • Apply Biblical wisdom within the context of general education, vocational studies, and professional ministry, equipping students for occupational practice or further academic pursuits.

Mature in Christian Living

  • Cultivate spiritual growth that reflects Christ-like character, consistently applying Biblical principles in personal life, vocation, relationships, and all aspects of life.

Practice Godly Influence

  • Develop a passionate spirit of servant leadership, equipped with professional skills and vocational preparedness, while striving to demonstrate godly influence in every opportunity, including cultural and community engagement, reflecting integrity, humility, and a commitment to service.

Pursue Meaningful Employment and Career

  • Secure gainful employment that aligns with the knowledge, skills, and God-given purpose cultivated through their education, being well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the workplace, exemplify exceptional character, and uphold Christ-centered values in all professional endeavors.

Engage in Lifelong Learning

  • Embrace critical thinking, research, and inquiry skills that support lifelong learning and readiness for further education in ministry, vocation, and community service.

Foster College reviews and updates its planning and assessment documents annually, providing a clear roadmap for the institution’s five-year strategic trajectory. This process is focused on accomplishing the following eight key growth initiatives:

  1. Increase institutional effectiveness through 1) systematic planning; 2) regular assessments; 3) insightful analytics; 4) intentional quality control; and 5) timely reporting.
  2. Improve and expand curricular offerings particularly pertinent for—1) young adult; 2) older adult; 3) [physically] on-campus; and 4) [virtually] off-campus—students.
  3. Grow the student population through 1) targeted recruitment; 2) active retention; 3) increased distant enrollment; 4) intentional diversification; and 5) valued student services.
  4. Cultivate staff and faculty impact through 1) professional development; 2) collegial collaboration; 3) technology training; and 4) internal service opportunities.
  5. Advance campus and digital footprints for twenty-first century learning through 1) campus properties/facilities development; 2) aesthetics enhancement; 3) distance learning modality improvement; and 4) technology integration.
  6. Exercise optimal financial and operational stewardship through 1) integrity and accuracy of records; 2) audit and associational accountability; 3) wise administration of resources; and 4) exceptional brand management.
  7. Expand the funding base by 1) cultivating multiple revenue streams; 2) fostering support networks/partnerships; and 3) growing long-term capital resources and investments.

Engage collaborative Christian Education partnerships with mission-aligned 1) local ministries and communities; 2) connected constituency groups; 3) secondary and post-secondary education programs/institutions; and 4) associated ecumenical organizations

Foster College encourages students to actively engage with knowledge by critically evaluating what they learn and applying it appropriately. However, this process must be filtered through the Institution’s Biblical and Theological Distinctives. The Core Distinctives represent non-negotiable beliefs that all stakeholders must adhere to in order to remain aligned with the college’s mission and values. Therefore, all leadership, faculty, staff, and students must acknowledge their full agreement with these Core Distinctives.

Regarding the Institutional Positions, the college is guided by the principle: “In essentials, UNITY; in non-essentials, LIBERTY; in all things, CHARITY.” While Foster College is built on sound biblical interpretation and adherence to core faith convictions, we recognize that sincere theologians and Bible scholars may arrive at variant conclusions on positional matters that are not heretical.

As an institution, we uphold certain positional beliefs while acknowledging that individuals may hold differing views. Those with personal perspectives that slightly differ from our position are welcome within the Foster College community. However, in matters of positional divergence, the college’s stance must be acknowledged, respected, and prioritized. Efforts to intentionally persuade students to adopt views contrary to this position are impermissible.

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