Jump Start 2025
Jump-start your college education by taking a class at Faith! Our summer Jump Start allows you to come to campus for a week, earn college credit, stay in the dorms, and participate in fun activities throughout the week. Your college class is even offered at a steep discount! Jump Start is available to those graduating high school in 2025, 2026, or 2027.
COST
The cost for attending Jump Start is $449
*Cultural Apologetics class has an additional $50.00 for Field Trip
This cost includes:
- Tuition for two or three college credits
- All meals (Monday breakfast-Friday lunch)
- Dormitory lodging (supervised by adults)
This price does not include required textbooks. Estimated textbook costs range from $10-$55–depending on the Jump Start course.
Course Information
Cultural Apologetics | 3 credits | Carl Kerby & Dr. Valdez (Plus Field Trip)
This course addresses some of the most dangerous cultural movements today that keep people from embracing Christianity. The course has two primary emphases. First, equipping the student to respond biblically and persuasively to the claims of Critical Race Theory, BLM, Gender Identity, and other LBGTQ+ issues, the Pro-Choice movement, and other belief systems that present themselves as obstacles to the Gospel. Second, helping the student gain confidence in the truth and relevance of the Gospel in the midst of tremendous cultural confusion. The course engages the student both theoretically and practically, combining lectures and practical applications of their cultural apologetics.
This class would be accepted as a bible elective or general elective class at Faith.*
Mr. Carl Kerby and Dr. Juan Valdes are two of the most well-known experts in the world on the topic of creation. We are honored to have two brilliant speakers who travel the world speaking to groups and conferences. Even the famous actor, Kirk Cameron, has weighed in on Carl Kerby, stating, “Carl knows what he’s talking about and is able to teach others with humor, a quick wit, and solid scientific information.”
Required Course Texts
- Morris, Henry, Creation Basics & Beyond: An In-Depth Look at Science, Origins, and Evolution, Dallas: 2013
- Valdes, Juan, How to Think: A Crash Course in Critical Thinking, Reasons for Hope, 2018. [Available also on Kindle]
Daily Schedule
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: Field Trip 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Introduction to Bible Study | 3 credits| Mr. Andy Stearns
Provides foundational principles for understanding and interpreting the Bible and surveys the methods and tools needed for effective Bible study. This course will conclude with a study of dispensations.
This class is required for all degrees at Faith (1-year, 2-year, and 4-year).
Mr. Andy Stearns holds his B.S., M.A. and M.Div. from Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary and a Th.M. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary.
Required Course Texts
- Zuck, Roy B., Basic Bible Interpretation, Cook: 1991
- Hendricks, Howard, William, Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible, Moody: 2007
- Showers, Renald E., There Really Is a Difference! A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology, Friends of Israel: 1990
- Class Notes
Daily Schedule
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Introduction to Psychology and Counseling | 3-credits | Dr. Dennis Wilkening
This course is an introduction to the basic theories and principles of counseling. Emphasis is placed on knowing the leading theories of psychology and counseling and evaluating them according to a Christian worldview. Topics
include the historical development of psychology, models/theories of modern psychology, Christian psychology (integration), biblical counseling, and an introduction to developing a process of counseling. In addition, the course is designed to assist students in understanding themselves and others..
Reading List
- Required Books
- Welch, Edward T., Blame It on the Brain?: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience (Resources for Changing Lives), Presbyterian and Reformed Co: 1998
- MacArthur, John F., Mack, Wayne A., Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically (MacArthur Pastors Library), Thomas Nelson Inc: 2022
- McManus, Butler, Psychology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions), Oxford: 2014
- Welch, Edward T., When People Are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man (Resources for Changing Lives), P&R Publishing: 2023
Dr. Dennis Wilkening holds a B.A. Bible (Minor in Biblical Languages) from Pensacola Christian College, an M.A. in Theology from Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary. He served as youth pastor for Calvary Baptist Church, Ashland, Ohio, an assistant Pastor for Christchurch Baptist Fellowship, Houston, Texas, and as lead pastor for First Baptist Church, Colville, Washington before joining the faculty at Faith in 2023 as an Assistant Professor.
Daily Schedule
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
New Testament Survey | 3-credits | Dr. Keith Kobelia
A survey of the books of the New Testament, giving such points as the background of the book, keywords and verses, information about the author, date and circumstances of writing, theme, importance, features, and the high points of each book.
This class is required for all programs at Faith (1-year, 2-year, and 4-year).
Dr. Keith Kobelia holds his B.A., M.A. and M.Div. from Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Required Course Texts
- Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, 3rd ed. Encountering Biblical Studies, ed. Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013.
- The Bible
- Class Notes
Daily Schedule
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
TOTAL $399.00
*Only certain degrees at Faith require bible electives or general electives. To find out if the degree you are interested in requires electives as part of the program, please contact the Registrar at bunjerj@faith.edu or 515-964-0601.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses are being offered?
- Cultural Apologetics – 3 Credits
- Introduction to Psychology and Counseling – 3 Credits
- Introduction to Bible Study – 3 Credits
- New Testament Survey- 3 Credits
(See course descriptions above.)
*Only certain degrees at Faith require bible electives or general electives. To find out if the degree you are interested in requires electives as part of the program, please contact the Registrar at bunjerj@faith.edu or 515-964-0601.
What would my schedule look like?
Arrival: Check in Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Nettleton Center Foyer
Departure: Friday, June 27, 2025 after class ends (2:30 – 4:30 p.m. depending on class)
The week concludes after classes on Friday. We ask that students be picked up by 6pm.
If you are coming from a long distance and would like to inquire about an additional night, please contact Guest Relations at guests@faith.edu or 515-422-5688.
DAILY SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m.—8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Class
12:15 p.m.—12:45 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Class*
2:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Study Time
5:30 p.m.—6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. Fun Activities
10:00 p.m. Curfew
What textbooks will I need and how will I purchase them?
Required textbooks are listed with each class offered. Payment for textbooks is in addition to your course registration fee. You will need to arrange for your books in advance. You are welcome to purchase them on your own or you may purchase them through the Faith Bookstore by going to fbbcbooks.com.
Will I have homework?
Students can expect to have some homework due during the week of class and, for most classes, throughout the summer, possibly as late as mid-August. If you would like to find out more details on the homework assignments for a specific class, please contact us at guests@faith.edu.
Where will students be staying?
Students will be staying in the dormitories. We will have a staff member staying in the dorms as a Resident Advisor if they need anything. A bed is provided, but we ask that Jump Start students please bring bedding (pillow, sleeping bag or sheet and blanket) and a towel.
What should I bring?
- Snappy casual clothing for class*
- Casual clothing for after class *
- Athletic clothing for some of the evening activities*
- Bedding
- Toiletries & towel
- Pen or pencil, paper, 3-ring binder, bible and your textbooks for class
- Optional spending money for the bookstore
Students are welcome to bring a laptop if they would like, but they will have access to a computer lab for any homework that requires a computer.
*We ask that Jump Start students abide by the Dress Code guidelines in Faith’s Student Handbook while they are on campus.
What is the dress code?
- Classroom dress is snappy casual. Nice-looking (no rips, holes, or tears), clean, loose-fitting pants, jeans, or cargo/carpenter pants and a collared shirt for men and a shirt with sleeves for woman.
- During the afternoons and evenings we invite students to dress casually and wear their jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc. We would encourage students to bring some athletic wear as well for some of our evening activities.
We ask that all clothing meet the guidelines in our Student Handbook.
Will I have to apply to Faith to take this class?
The JumpStart registration form contains the only application information that we need for you to take a JumpStart class for college credit. If you plan to attend Faith or want to take online classes in the future, you would need to complete the full application.
