November 2000

The Challenge of Growth

Dear Friends,

When Lithuania Christian College received accreditation in Lithuania as a university-level school, after ten years of struggling for recognition, we were unreservedly overjoyed. We did not really anticipate the problems this change of status would involve. Since the staff returned in August we have been dealing with the pains of growing up and out, as the school also entered the second year of expanding from enrollment of 160 to that of 600. Imagination, work, and prayer continue to be the requirements of the situation.

Under the new requirements, 43 rather than 40 courses are required of each student and more of those courses need to be in the major. This put a significant demand for new courses to be made immediately available for fourth-year students. That demand could not be met with the same level of volunteer faculty. The problem was made more difficult because the increase of students at the first and second years created a greater demand for faculty to teach the basic required classes. This need for teaching faculty will be even greater next year, as a third class of 150 replaces a class of 45 graduates. The North American office is hard at work to meet this new demand for recruitment. Meanwhile, we are all stretched to the limit to give quality education and meet the demands.

In addition to the problem of staffing and course offerings, the change of status allows those who completed their education at LCC previously, receiving only a certificate of higher education, to return and take additional courses to receive a bachelor of arts. This provision exists only for those who majored in English and business, the two programs awarded university status. This means added pressure to meet the needs of returning graduates, who may not have been working with their English at a level that enables them to write a thesis, which is part of the requirements. This also requires additional faculty and special course work.

Complicating matters still more, the greater international make-up of the student body has presented unexpected problems. Students from Ghana, hearing of the opportunity for English language instruction in a Christian setting, have come to Lithuania. Six of them are enrolled at present. They come with little to allow us to assess their level of their preparation in English, and they also bring special concerns for adapting to the differences in culture and climate here. Special prayers for a loving and supportive integration into the college community and into the larger community unused to people of color are greatly needed.

We struggle to clarify the role of a Christian liberal arts college offering instruction in English in this setting. We endeavor to meet the requirements of higher educational status. We strive to keep the same loving student-centered education that brings students to us. In all this we try always to keep before us the need to follow the desire of God for this place.

Peace!

Jackie Bartz

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 85