A Higher Education Program
for All Areas of Christian Living

History

Xenos Christian Fellowship is a large, innovative, mainstream evangelical church in Columbus, Ohio. For over two decades, Xenos has pursued a successful program of mentoring college students while they attend The Ohio State University; the largest single campus in the United States. Many of these students live in Christian "ministry houses" where they are supported by Christian friends while attending classes. At the same time the church provides Bible classes, home fellowship groups, men's and women's discipleship groups, and Christian social events where students learn to reach their non Christian friends. The result is an enriched educational experience.

Now this educational experience is available to those outside Xenos through Real Life! Real Life is a top quality alternative to traditional Christian higher education:

• Strong on academics - The Ohio State University is one of the best universities in the country, with outstanding programs in every discipline. Graduates of OSU have solid credentials suitable to the workplace or to further graduate study.
• Strong on Christian learning - From Bible survey, to systematic theology, to hermeneutics, to practical theology and Christian living, the Xenos equipping ministry is unexcelled for training strong lay servants of God. (See class descriptions below)
• Strong on Christian formation - Participants in the Real Life program don't just study discipleship, evangelism, and healthy relationship building, they practice it! This is the greatest advantage to the Real Life approach. Students not only take classes and seminars on biblical issues, they live in Christian community and participate in a functioning, outreaching home church often based in their own ministry house. At the same time they are confronted daily with the realities of the secular world at the University. Older Christian friends become intimately involved in the student's lives, encouraging their strengths, and helping them at any point where they have trouble.
• Strong on supervision - Each student enrolled in Real Life is assigned a mentor. The mentor is a same-sexed older Christian from Xenos who takes responsibility for the oversight of the student's adjustment, spiritual development, and academic progress. The mentor also communicates with the student's family on a monthly basis, keeping them informed of progress from his or her perspective.
• Low on cost - Even the lowest cost private Christian schools cannot compete with the low costs associated with Real Life. (see below)
• Individualized - Most fears of large universities are related to the dangers that students will be lost among the thousands of students. In Real Life, personal care and adjustment for individual needs takes precedence over "the system."
• Rich in Resources - The Xenos Study Center contains thousands of up to date titles, reference works and a complete collections of scholarly theological journals. The latest in online research is available at the center on the state-of-the-art computers provided. We train students in the use of these tools. The study center is a peaceful and inspiring place to study, nestled in a wooded ravine overlooking a stream. Xenos students often study at the center, which serves as a meeting place for classes and social events as well.

Accent on Outreach

In Real Life students face tough, secular scholarship and interact with secular students their own age. Yet they do so under the close supervision and assistance of experienced Christian leaders and their personal mentors. Xenos places great emphasis on reaching non Christian students with the gospel, and every year students lead many to personal faith in Christ. Daily having one's faith challenged in class while reaching out to non Christian friends and building deep Christian community produces a vigor and excitement for Christian living often missing in other Christian or secular colleges.

The key is combining education, secular involvement, and Bible training with the guidance and support at Real Life. Even the best Christian colleges and graduate schools find it difficult to offer this kind of balanced involvement with secular society and Christian community at the same time.

Who Should Come?

Real Life is an exceptional alternative for students seeking Christian-oriented higher education with an emphasis on ministry and real life. Christian colleges are expensive and often isolated from the secular world in a way that may make Christianity seem "old hat" or taken for granted. At Xenos, we firmly believe Christian education will not be properly balanced unless combined with actual practice in the real world and in vital Christian community. Fighting for one's faith in secular classes will not weaken Christians-it strengthens them.

Missionaries will find Real Life a wonderful alternative for kids sent home for college who need an older mentor. Most mission field operatives are adamant that they don't want their kids to lose interest in outreach to the lost. Students in Real Life may receive training in indigenous church planting at a level available in few other venues.

Future leaders in parachurch organizations receive an unparalleled training for future college work.

Students anticipating seminary will be prepared in a way few others are.

Now Available

Beginning in 1997, Xenos is making Real Life available to a limited number of Christian students outside our church. Qualifying students must meet the following criteria:

• Be ready to undertake undergraduate or graduate studies at The Ohio State University or Columbus State Community College. (College freshmen attend Columbus State Community College) for their first year, thus saving tuition costs and avoiding restrictive housing rules at Ohio State). CCSC has excellent credit transfer to OSU.
• Walking Christians with strong convictions, including a desire to serve God and experience the maximum in spiritual growth.
• Unmarried. Ministry houses only accommodate single students. Married students are welcome to pursue analogous programs outside Real Life designed for couples.
• Willing to undertake a minimum two-year commitment to the program.
• Prepared to join in to the training and fellowship activities prescribed by those in the program.
• Prepared to meet with a mentor and report on progress personally, academically, and spiritually.
• In harmony with Xenos Fellowship's statement of faith and vision.
• Have completed the application process and a visit to Xenos Fellowship prior to acceptance.

Costs

The APPROXIMATE annual costs of the Real Life program are as follows:

Additional APPROXIMATE costs you would expect to encounter as a student at The Ohio State University or Columbus State Community College (remember: CSCC has excellent course credit transfer to OSU) are as follows:

Real Life leaders will assist students in securing financial assistance

* Residence can be established by living in Ohio for one year. Some costs are approximate. Tuition is based on 1996-1997 school year. Further savings are possible by attending Columbus State Community College for the first two years, and transferring credits (excellent transfer record) to Ohio State thereafter. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying students.

** Special one-time cost includes a personal laptop computer which students may supply on their own or buy though Xenos for $1400.00.

Classes

Real Life includes a basic series of core courses as well as optional courses for advanced study.

Core Courses

Christian Principles Class - This class contains four units, each lasting one quarter. Classes are times to correlate with OSU quarter breaks. Each class involves one night of lecture/recitation and 1 to 2 hours of homework per week. The courses include quizzes and a final exam.

Old Testament and New Testament Survey - Each survey is a 10 week course covering historical flow, key theological and interpretive issues.

• Servanthood I and II - These courses teach on practical areas of lay ministry. Each class is 5 weeks, including outside reading between quarters.

Optional Courses

Once students complete the core course work, Xenos offers an array of classes every quarter. Sample course offering brochures are included.

• Inductive book studies
• Church History
• Apologetics
• Marriage and relationships
• Lay counseling
• Homiletics

Missions Emphasis

Urban Ministry Emphasis

• Students interested in focusing on urban ministry will participate in Urban Concern, Xenos' award winning inner city Christian community development ministry.

Discipline Policy

While Real Life will work with students at different levels of development, the program is primarily intended for committed Christians who want to enhance their spiritual life and ministry skills. Students are also part of a Christian community, and therefore their actions affect others. For these reasons, we insist on certain minimum standards of behavior and cooperation. Real Life is an opportunity for growth, not a guarantee of growth. When students fall into temptation or lose their interest in spiritual things their future in the program is in doubt. While we emphasize the grace of God in our dealings, we also know that Christian love is disciplining love (Hebrews 12:5).

Every quarter, students' mentors prepare a report for students and their parents on progress in spiritual and personal growth. For most this is an opportunity for affirmation and encouragement.

Students who experience problems in their lives are urged to counsel with their mentor and possibly other Christian leaders or counselors. If the problem is serious, the student's parents will be informed in a timely way. Together, Real Life leadership, the student, and the parents will decide how to proceed. Real Life reserves the right to dismiss students from the program who fail to meet basic requirements after appropriate warnings to them and their parents. Dismissal from Real Life has no effect on students' standing with the university.