Great Commission Collaboration

California Baptist University and the Lausanne Movement share a commitment to the Great Commission, equipping a new generation of leaders to spread the gospel.

CBU integrates academic, spiritual and social growth in a Christ-centered education, while Lausanne connects emerging leaders with mentors and resources. Promising young leaders are nominated to participate in Lausanne’s program, which collaborates with nine universities, including CBU, to offer fulltuition scholarships. Together, they prepare leaders to advance God’s global mission.

Since 2018, Lausanne’s Younger Leader Generation (YLGen) program has successfully connected 52 younger leaders from 27 countries with opportunities for higher education. Sixteen of these students are currently enrolled at CBU. An additional nine have completed degrees at CBU.

“The Great Commission requires collaboration,” said Dr. Matthew Niermann, associate dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design. “Having a university and an organization dedicated to the Great Commission working together plays a vital role in equipping younger leaders to advance the mission.”

CBU provides scholarships to those who may be earning the first doctorate in their denomination or may not have an opportunity for advanced education in their country.

“We look for individuals who may not have access to higher education but have shown leadership capabilities,” Niermann said. “We look at where they are now, where they could be, evaluating how best to come alongside them with strategic resources.”

Marion Ndeta Wasia (’24) is a regional coordinator for the Great Lakes Initiative, a movement that mobilizes Christian leaders in African countries to participate in works of peacemaking and reconciliation in their families, communities and nations. Ndeta, part of Lausanne’s YLGen, is working on her Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Administration at CBU.

Ndeta wanted to continue her education for years but did not have the financial means until she received the scholarship from CBU.

“Just like that, the Lord did a new thing for me. I got into class and connected with amazing friends from across nations who became sojourners,” she said.

She enjoys the course readings and videos that speak to today’s organizational contemporary issues. The biblical principles that are integrated into the courses are helping to develop her leadership.

“The faculty’s mentorship, faith-integrated curriculum, emphasis on Christlikeness and opportunities for spiritual formation have empowered me to lead with integrity, compassion and a global perspective,” Ndeta said.

Esther Chengo works with African Enterprise International, an organization that partners with local churches to spread the gospel. Also with YLGen, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Administration at CBU.

“As a younger leader, I began to feel an urge to pursue opportunities that would grow my capacity to understand organizational leadership from a ministry perspective,” she said. “Each course that I am doing has an intentional emphasis on equipping us as students with biblically based ethical principles and practices that emphasize character, courage and wisdom.”

That commitment to biblical leadership and global impact resonates through CBU’s broader purpose.

“Our partnership with the Lausanne Movement reflects our shared mission of advancing the gospel -- empowering younger leaders with the education and resources they need to serve effectively," said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. "We are investing in the next generation of Christ-center servants who will be bring transformation to the nations."

Andrea Espirito Santo (’23) works in child protection for the Brazilian Association of Transcultural Missions, an organization that works with mission agencies and partner churches to send out missionaries. With YLGen, she earned her Master of Science in Education from CBU.

“I have gained many tools. God knew what I needed and gave me this huge gift to keep up His good work and my work with and for Him,” Santo said. “I am committed to better serve, to glorify God in all spheres of my life, to inspire others, to mentor and find ways to share who God is and His love wherever I go.”

The partnership between CBU and Lausanne is equipping these younger leaders with the tools to serve and engage in the global mission.

“I believe that all Christians in all spheres of society are called to be part of the Great Commission and serve the global church. We can share the gospel from where we are and to the far places where God can send us,” Santo said.

“God has called me toward engagement in spaces that encourage my participation in strategy, planning, innovation and community building regarding the Great Commission. Thus, the CBU environment has offered me a strong foundation and equipped me with requisite skills for ministry,” Chengo said.

Ndeta said she is excited but curious to see how God will continue to lead and use her.

“May the CBU and Lausanne relationship last to help those whose dreams, like mine, had become a dim shadow but are now bright and shining due to the scholarship support I have received. I want to keep in step with Him and live my purpose.”