Global Ministries University is celebrating its 20th Anniversary of outstanding online theological education and spiritual inspiration! GMU continues to grow and flourish as a leader in innovation and service to the wider community with global outreach and involvement.

As we begin the 21st year of existence of Global Ministries University, we give thanks for all those who have been part of this faith journey over the past two decades and helped us to achieve our vision of an educational program that prepares our students for the interdependent and global world that is now impacting us daily. The Coronavirus pandemic has taught us that our own health and that our nation cannot be segregated from that of the rest of the world community... Read more.

Around a kitchen table, 20 years ago, Gerry Grudzen, Bill Manseau and I shared our dreams for new, innovative, flexible, and affordable online education to equip students with theological and professional skills for ministry that would meet the needs of believers in our contemporary world. Our inclusive vision embraced the equality of all persons, politics, and language... Read more.

We invite you to share your thoughts and reflections about Global Ministries University in the "Reply" box on our special 20th Anniversary Celebration page on the GUM website. We are producing a "Celebration" video of our own and invite you to send your picture if you received a degree or certificate from GMU or have memories of GMU's events and wish to be included.

Enabled by the availability of Zoom video-conferencing technology, GMU held its first ever faculty meeting on Monday, January 11th. It was a friendly and informal gathering that included dialogue and prayer along with GMU news and updates from President Grudzen. Dr. Mary Ann Cejka, Provost, thanks Mary Aktay, VP for Marketing & Development, and Rick Silvestri, Director of Information Technology & Social Media, for the information they shared at the meeting; Dr. John Jeffery, Associate Dean of Pastoral Care, for facilitating faculty dialogue; GMU faculty member Marita Grudzen for leading the assembly in prayer; and all who attended for their sharing, which helped to make the meeting a success.

GMU’s Director of Information Technology & Social Media, Rick Silvestri, has rebuilt the GMU Classroom in accordance with GMU’s changing needs as a growing online university. Rick’s modifications will also make it easier to maintain. The new classroom, still on the Moodle platform, may now be accessed at gmuclass.org. The first time you log into it, you’ll be sent an email asking you to change your password. For questions about, or technical assistance with, the new classroom, email Rick.

President Gerald Grudzen and Provost Mary Ann Cejka continue in their efforts to GMU's associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and receive accreditation from the Council on Higher Education Association (CHEA). Applications will be made this spring with acceptance expected in September 2021.

The Community Chaplaincy Program January cohort is underway. Intentional eucharistic communities, retirement communities, and education personnel are encouraged to consider this new type of ministry and service. GMU is accepting applications for classes in the spring and summer of 2021. We recommend that you enroll now. Click here for a detailed description of the program with bios of the instructors.

Dr. John Jeffery will be working with Grace Shireson, Director of the Shogaku Zen Institute in Berkeley, to help promote GMU's community chaplaincy program. Dr. Ron Nakasone, GMU's Buddhist faculty member, is also in touch with Grace about ways to collaborate with the Shogaku Zen Institute. Ron will also connect GMU with a Buddhist university in Ukiah, CA.

The Shogaku Zen Institute has initiated an online course on "Buddhist History, Philosophy, and Racism: Zen Perspectives and Beyond."

Download the course description here.

GMU offers an outstanding Celebrancy Certificate but, as we begin this New Year, our goal is to empower more individuals to acquire the necessary formal training to be outstanding celebrants.

Consequently, the Celebrant Training Program has been streamlined. It is now even more effective with less time investment and the tuition has been significantly reduced, making the program more attainable.

Assignments are conducted completely online and are self-directed, which means students can work at their own pace. This method of study eliminates the pressure of starting dates and assignment deadlines and students have the freedom to decide how long they need to complete the program.

Start the New Year by enrolling in this innovative, user-friendly Celebrant Training Program!

Rooted in Lived Experience of People

 Creates deep connection with liberating message in Scripture and Christian tradition of mystics and prophets

Fosters partnership in ministry - new paradigm- following Jesus in 21st century

Raises up voices of marginalized

Expands theological landscape

Cultivates a healing and learning community

Dismantles patriarchy and

Promotes Gospel equality and inclusiveness.

El costo de la inscripción de los primeros 5 estudiantes será solo la tarifa de inscripción de $25.00.

Global Ministries University will offer a course on Small Christian Communities taught in Spanish for five consecutive weeks beginning January 25,2021 and ending on February 22, 2021.

It will be offered over Zoom on five consecutive Monday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm (PST).

A copy of our book on Pope Francis, Papa Francisco, Conscientia Del Mundo, will be provided to the first five registrants for the registration fee of $25.

This course can also be credited toward a certificate program in the "History of Christianity" taught in Spanish by Hector Quiroz of Monterey, California. Hector has taught courses in the History of Christianity and Small Christian Communities for the past decade in Monterey, Los Angeles, and other areas of the Golden State.

GMU tiene planes de ofrecer programas de capellanía en español en el futuro.

As we enter the New Year of 2021 we need to imagine a world of the future in which, love, joy, peace, and understanding shall flourish. In order to carry this message forward, Global Ministries University is co-sponsoring an international conference on Pope Francis's new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, which promotes global friendship and solidarity.

The conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 'August 20 and 21, 2021 and will be available on Zoom and YouTube. You will be able to register for the conference at globalministriesuniversity.org in the coming weeks. There will be no charge to participate in it but donations are welcome. The future of our planet rests largely with our youth and the care with which we help them to develop and flourish.

More information will be forthcoming in next month's update.

President Grudzen is offering a free course for young people who wish to participate in the conference to develop their own priority issues and submit a vision statement from their perspective.

There will be a free monthly Zoom meeting for five months beginning February 3. Any college student is welcome to take part. There are eight students already registered.

The meetings will take place the first Wednesday of each month from February through June 2021. They will begin at 7 pm (Pacific Time) and last for 90 minutes. This is FREE course but registration in advance is required.

In addition to the convenience and the cost, a large number of students are turning to online learning courses because they have become a better way to learn. Those students who are serious about improving their understanding, learning new skills and gaining valuable qualifications are keen to enroll in the type of course that will be the most effective... Learn more.

Global Ministries University continues its commitment to provide excellent, flexible, and affordable education to all! In these difficult times of job insecurity and medical emergency, many current and potential students need financial assistance. Please consider supporting GMU's scholarship fund. You can designate a general gift or provide for a specific student in need.

Thank you for your generosity!