The Highlands College Seal is more than a symbol; it expresses our mission and vision to fulfill the Great Commission in response to Luke 10:2.

Kevin Eades, a 2014 graduate of Highlands College, serves as the Next Steps Pastor at LIIV Atlanta.

Dani Chavez Blake is a 2023 graduate serving as the Dream Team Lead and Executive Assistant at Catalyst Church in Washington, D.C.

Logan Teague is a 2024 graduate planted at The Bridge Church in Iowa. Logan is now the Worship Leader at their Oskaloosa campus and is thriving serving the local church.

The Houston Alumni Meetup was a truly unforgettable evening. With over 30 Highlands College alumni in attendance, it was our largest gathering yet.

Phase I of The Village at Highlands College was completed in early August 2024, welcoming over 100 students to their new on-campus home.

Zelmar Reyes Weydert is a 2018 graduate planted at Camino De Vida in Lima, Peru. He wears many hats at his church including serving as a part of the pastoral team.

From Serve Day to GrowLeader Conference to Motion Conference, this month has been a testament to the power of unity and commitment to seeing the Great Commission fulfilled.

Jessica Elston is a 2015 Highlands College Graduate now living in Knoxville, TN, faithfully serving at Faith Promise Church.

Venturing into the Himalayas, where nearly 100% of the population has little to no access to the Gospel or a local Church, our team of students partnered with local missionaries and churches to bring the message of Jesus to those from Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds.

The summertime is the ideal season to rest and recover. It’s also the perfect time to grow. A value that we champion in our students is that leaders are lifelong learners.

This summer, many of our students are traveling to international destinations to partner with local churches and ministries, serve alongside some of our HC alumni, and deepen their faith through Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips!

Jacob Lavender, a Highlands College graduate from the Class of 2013, is celebrating years in full-time ministry. He has been faithfully serving at Action Church in Orlando, FL, and is now the Associate Pastor.

RJ Limon recently graduated with a degree in Worship Leadership and committed to making an eternal impact through Lakepointe Church’s Residency Program in Texas.

Our recent Pastoral Ministry graduate, Marisa Davis, shares how Highlands College has shaped and prepared her for an exciting new season. Learn more about Marisa and what God is doing in her life as an HC alumna!

Dr. John Cespedes, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A., is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Highlands College. He teaches Biblical Introduction, Biblical Interpretation and New Testament Introduction courses.

Last month, ten of our graduates returned to Highlands College to invest in and inspire our students through our very first Alumni Day.

Juan and Marisol have a deep passion for seeing people get closer to Jesus, one step at a time.

Our students develop their intellect and increase their knowledge of God through The core-curriculum of our unique academic model. With instruction and guidance from our experienced faculty, students learn to view the world through God’s [...]

Highlands College students Emily Kate Sansom and Emily Hernandez were selected to attend the annual Reclaim Today Writing & Design Workshop hosted by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) in Orlando, Florida, in February [...]

On March 11, 2024, Highlands College Alumni from various walks of life and corners of the globe gathered in West Palm Beach for our second regional alum meetup. It was an unforgettable night as alums gathered to foster connections, build relationships with fellow alums in their city, and celebrate memories from their time at Highlands College.

Hannah Hervey, an esteemed alumna, has remained dedicated to making an eternal impact through full-time vocational ministry. Following her graduation in December 2022, she began a new chapter in Jacksonville, FL, alongside her husband and family. Currently, Hannah serves as a worship leader at Impact Church and is pouring into the next generation as a chorus instructor at Impact Christian Academy.

Our final Highlands College In-Residence Day of the school year is just around the corner, and we are honored to welcome Award-Winning Artist and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Chris Tomlin, who will be joining [...]

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:14 In the words of President Mark Pettus, “If we don’t quit, we [...]

To kick off the spring semester, Highlands College supplied the student body and team with a Bible study through the book of Colossians. The study aimed to help students learn more about Jesus Christ and [...]

Will is a Highlands College alumnus who has continued to lead and serve in full-time vocational ministry after graduating last May. After graduation, Will moved to Arizona for a new position as the student pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley’s brand-new Maricopa Campus. We connected with Will to ask him how he is applying what he learned at Highlands College and how God is moving in his city!

On February 13, 2024, a heartfelt reunion unfolded as Highlands College Alumni gathered from all corners of Nashville and the broader Tennessee region for our inaugural Alumni Regional Meetup. Hosted at 5 Stones Church in Franklin, TN, the evening offered a delightful dinner, providing the perfect backdrop for alumni to reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and foster meaningful relationships with fellow graduates residing in their local community.

Our students develop their intellect and increase their knowledge of God through The core-curriculum of our unique academic model. With instruction and guidance from our experienced faculty, students learn to view the world through God’s [...]

Highlands College is excited to announce the grand opening of The View. As an immersive student dining experience, The View provides students with more than a meal. Our Chancellor, Pastor Chris Hodges, recently shared with [...]

Rece Jackson, a 2023 graduate of Highlands College, is the Central Student Director & College Groups Director at Union Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

Over fourteen thousand leaders from thirty-three countries, fifty states, and five hundred groups joined us at the 2023 Impact Leadership Conference. Highlands College was honored to host this year's Impact Leadership Conference alongside our title [...]

Christian is a Highlands College Alumni who has continued to lead and serve in ministry after graduating in 2021. After graduation, Christian moved to Columbus, OH to join the team at Rock City Church as the Small Groups Director at their Short North campus. We asked Christian a few questions about how he is applying what he learned during his time at Highlands College and how God is moving in his city.

Our students develop their intellect and increase their knowledge of God through the variety of Highlands College courses that fall under our Academic Instruction pillar. With instruction and guidance from our experienced faculty, students learn [...]

At Highlands College, we believe that everyone can make a positive, powerful impact throughout their lives. That's why we invite leaders everywhere to elevate their impact and join us for the virtual Impact Leadership Conference. [...]

Tiana Gray is a Highlands College Alumni who has continued to lead and serve in ministry after graduating in 2020 from the Pastoral Practicum. The Heartland Church in Carrollton, Texas, welcomed Tiana as a valuable addition to their staff. Tiana now serves as Director of Heartland Kids and continues applying what she learned at Highlands College in her new role.

The opportunity to make an eternal impact in the lives around you expands beyond volunteer roles and personal relationships.

At Highlands College, our students, faculty, and staff strive to pursue excellence in every aspect of life. We do this through honoring those around us, being intentional with every detail, and stewarding the resources and [...]

Starting college is such an exciting time, and it is important to be well-prepared before you make your way to campus. If you need help preparing for your first year at Highlands College, here are [...]

We will never forget all that God did at MOTION Student Conference 2023! This past week, Highlands College was honored to participate in the annual student conference, as 13,000 middle school, high school, and college students gathered in the Legacy Arena to glorify and worship God.

From gathering furniture for refugees and international students to conducting a prayer walk throughout an entire city, the Highlands College Family of students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to serve and make an eternal impact [...]

Joel and Kat Matheny are both Highlands College Alumni who excelled in the opportunities to lead and serve after graduating in 2021 from the Students and Worship Practicum. Church of the Pines in Texas welcomed Joel and Kat as valuable additions to their staff. Joel serves the Church of the Pines community as an Associate Campus Pastor, which allows him to use his passion and dedication to serve the church community. Kat utilizes her musical talents to lead the congregation in uplifting worship as the Worship Director. 

Our students develop their intellect and increase their knowledge of God through the variety of Highlands College courses that fall under our Academic Instruction pillar. With instruction and guidance from our experienced faculty, students learn [...]

Congratulations Highlands College Class of 2022-2023!       On behalf of the HC family, we could not be more proud of you! You’ve worked so hard these past two years, and we celebrate you for […]

  If we don’t quit, we win!   The morning of the 2023 Highlands College Half Marathon + 10K was clear and beautiful for our students to implement their year-long training, run the race with endurance, […]

    In February, students Annabelle Oviat and Elly Mattar were selected to attend the 2023 Writing & Design Workshop with Reclaim Today, hosted by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) in Orlando, FL. […]

Under the Academic Instruction pillar, our goal is for students to develop their intellect and increase their knowledge of God. Throughout students’ time at Highlands College, staff and faculty will train and develop students across [...]

  HC Madness was a night we’ll never forget! Once every year, Highlands College students go head-to-head with Church of the Highlands and Highlands College staff in a competitive basketball game. Friday, March 24, 2023, […]

Revival in Colleges Now and During the “Jesus Revolution” It is incredible to see how God is moving on college campuses across the country. We believe this exciting move is in response to our generation’s desperate […]

At Highlands College, one of our biggest desires is to develop our students into individuals who never stop learning and developing. Our academic instruction pillar exists to strengthen students’ understanding of their Christ-centered calling and […]

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Highlands College was granted initial accreditation by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) Commission on Accreditation through a unanimous vote. In addition to this benchmark in higher education, the [...]

  Highlands College has opened the first residence hall on its new campus in Birmingham, Ala., creating the opportunity for students to live on campus for the first time.  The residence hall supports the four-pillar [...]

At Highlands College, we are committed to raising workers for the harvest field to fulfill the Great Commission as a response to Jesus' heart cry in Luke 10:2, that the ‚ "Harvest is plentiful but [...]

2022 Impact Leadership Conference with Dr. John C. Maxwell, Jamie Kern Lima, and Chancellor Chris Hodges   At Highlands College, we believe that everyone can make a positive, powerful impact throughout their lives. We know [...]

At Highlands College, we are dedicated to equipping graduates to make an impact by sharing the gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus to the world. We could not be more proud of [...]

Highlands College is excited and honored to announce Andy Andrews as our Author-in-Residence.  Andy Andrews is a New York Times bestselling author, leadership consultant, speaker, and coach whose books have positively impacted millions of people's [...]

'More Than A Race'   At Highlands College, we believe that godly character is foundational for long-term success in ministry. A life of impact through Ministry and leadership is both rewarding and challenging-which is why [...]

  Favorite Study Spots    Summer is fading and autumn is rolling into the city of Birmingham. The semester feels like it just began and is persisting forward. It's hard to believe that final exams [...]

One of our greatest hopes for our students is that throughout their time at Highlands College they develop the skills and desire to be lifelong learners. Highlands College exists to raise up leaders for the […]

Bobby Gruenewald Innovation Leader at Life.Church Founder and CEO of YouVerison    Today, students, Discovery Day guests, and the Highlands College team had the honor of learning from Highlands College Visionary-in-Residence Bobby Gruenewald.    Bobby [...]

    Highlands College Traditional students were honored to serve at the 58th Annual Greater Birmingham Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on the United States National Day of Prayer. On Thursday, May 5th, 2022, our students joined [...]

Coffee shops are an integral part of student life at Highlands College. They create a place for our students to connect and refresh. A place where students can form off-campus relationships with the Birmingham community. A place [...]

Highlands College exists to train believers whose part of their purpose in life is to be ministry leaders. We will help you develop your God-given gifts and talents. We will train you to be a [...]

Serve Day 2022 was one for the books! Highlands College jumped in to serve at multiple locations across Alabama and Georgia. Current Highlands College and Highlands College Evening students, alumni, and the HC Team all [...]

Highlands College Class of 2022– Welcome to the HC Alumni Family! Graduates, first and foremost, congratulations. We could not possibly be more proud of you and what you have accomplished. We are so proud of […]

It's that time of the year again! In just a few weeks, on the other side of The World Games, we will welcome thousands to our beloved city and church. Over the span of five [...]

  From leading teams to serving our communities through local outreach— our students are committed to seeing the local church mobilized for eternal impact.  One of the many opportunities we have to do that is […]

The summertime at Highlands College is a time for students to be refreshed, spend time with their families and friends, and be involved in various serve opportunities. This year we have a special treat to […]

If you spend time at Highlands College or with our students, you may hear the phrase, "If we don't quit, we win." This has been our key phrase of encouragement as we, the students, prepare [...]

Highlands College students had a fantastic time at our first-ever, Donuts & Doctrine, sponsored by the Highlands College Biblical Studies and Theological Studies departments! The heart behind this event was for students to have a [...]

Highlands College is committed to equipping HC students to develop excellence in every facet of their lives. Academic Instruction is just one the four pillars that we help our students pursue excellence during their time [...]

  Why We Run. Ministry is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s not enough for our students to start living out their calling. We want them to sustain a life of eternal impact and […]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 4, 2022 More than 1,300 people today celebrated the grand opening of a new cutting-edge campus for Highlands College, a Birmingham-based institution founded in 2011 that each year sends hundreds of graduates into full-time [...]

For Darryl and Diane Rosser, supporting Highlands College was the perfection expression of their desire to share God's blessings. "The more we learned about it, the more we wanted to help Highlands College meet its [...]

Every day, David Coburn feels a powerful connection to his Highlands College experience. As the Guest Experience Pastor at Elevation Church's Greensboro, NC, location, David has his hands in many areas of the ministry. He [...]

We were recently honored to host the President of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), Dr. Philip Dearborn, on the campus of Highlands College. We are currently pursuing institutional accreditation with the ABHE. In […]

Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green and the Green family donated $20 million to Highlands College in Birmingham, Ala. that will fully fund the institution's first of two residence halls. Highlands College is a Bible [...]

We approach academics with the purpose of strengthening our students’ understanding of their Christ-centered calling and providing them the tools they need to faithfully make an eternal impact in their communities. We do those by […]

At Highlands College, we believe more is caught than taught. Much of what a leader receives comes from relationships and mentoring, which is why we believe students should experience a broad spectrum of leadership styles [...]

Highlands College was honored to celebrate 420 graduates during our Traditional Program and Evening Program Commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, May 15. While most students' college journey concludes at commencement, Highlands College students are just [...]

Highlands College is honored to announce that we have received approval from the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and the State of Alabama to begin awarding an Associate of Arts in Ministry Leadership. More […]

Dr. John C. Maxwell shares three church leadership skills to help guide Highlands Students to success. Over 3,300 Birmingham business leaders gathered to learn from a few of the nation's top leadership experts at Impact [...]

As church leaders, emotional intelligence and leadership are key factors in understanding how you guide your community and handle the chaos around you. When the chips are down, do you become a Drama Monster, or [...]

Impact Leadership Conference hosted over 3,300 Birmingham business leaders where they learned from a few of the nation's top leadership experts. One of the speakers, Simon Sinek, posed an interesting concept of viewing our work [...]

At Highlands College, we believe that the traditional bible college definition needs to be profoundly refreshed to better prepare leaders for the challenges, and more importantly, the opportunities of an increasingly complex and rapidly changing [...]

There is a new generation on the move. The post-millennial age, known as Generation Z or "Gen Z," includes those born between 1997 and 2013. This means that most people entering higher education and the [...]

There is a quiet courage required to press on when things get hard. It's called conviction, and it is one of the biggest separators between success and failure in life and ministry. At Highlands College, [...]

Here is a simple truth - leaders cannot give what they do not have.  As spiritual leaders, the greatest value our graduates will bring to ministry is their spiritual maturity and deep love for Jesus. [...]

Through hands-on ministry training and an innovative approach to education, Highlands College helps shape religious leaders. In the Worship Practicum classroom, students will be encouraged to hone their craft in a space that encourages creativity. [...]

We all carry our own variable degree of faith in miracles. For many of us who believe in miracles, we tend to picture these moments that defy the laws of nature - seas parted or [...]

When I close my eyes and picture the campus we're building, I see a place of non-stop, purpose-driven activity - a place of life. It's a place that boils over with community and interaction. It's [...]

Written by President Mark Pettus

Attending college is often one of the most physically unhealthy seasons in a person's life. Between the microwaved cups of ramen and the late-night Taco Bell runs, more than a few of us picked up [...]

Every organization has a mission. I'm not talking about the one that's printed on the lobby wall. I'm talking about the one that's driving every decision at either a conscious or subconscious level. For some, [...]

Chancellor Chris Hodges concluded the Impact Leadership Conference with a Lunch and Learn experience. The content shared was formed around the idea that good leaders ask great questions. He provided five practical questions leaders can [...]

  When we set out three years ago to design the future home of Highlands College, we were full of excitement. In front of us was an opportunity to create something that had never been [...]

Quarantined and working at home with kids - if you're living it, you know the insanity of juggling work stations and fighting over bandwidth for Zoom calls and Google Classroom meets. Even on your best [...]

Meet Steven Pettus. Steven joined the Highlands College Staff in August 2020 as the Executive Director of Ministry Placement at Highlands College. Steven has worked as a professional engineer (PE) in Birmingham before he and [...]