Sustainable Community Development

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Program Overview

Why Study Sustainable Community Development at TFC?

The Sustainable Community Development major produces graduates who integrate the pursuit of truth with godly character pertinent to professionally helping community leaders to identify needs and create sustainable solutions. Students learn to practice sustainable lifestyles and plan sustainable projects while participating in local faith communities. This major is an interdisciplinary degree that integrates biblical principles with sustainable economic and environmental practices. The Global Ministries Department is committed to the training of SCD workers that possess an attitude that desires for people to know Jesus Christ and become His disciples, while at the same time prays and yearns for people to have a sustainable lifestyle that meets their physical needs.

Students that are interested in studying agriculture may be interested in this mission-centered agricultural approach. Students majoring in Sustainable Community Development learn ways to practice sustainable lifestyles, plan sustainable development with community leaders, and establish locally appropriate communities of faith among all people, including unreached people groups. Many classes are at the Lawson Center for Sustainable Community Development, the farm that is on the campus of TFC.

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Minors:
  • Social Work
  • Biology
  • Outdoor Leadership & Education
  • Global Engagement
  • Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL)
Program Video

Sustainable Community Development

“We work within the Global Ministries department here at Valley Farm, and our mission is to make disciples in conjunction with the Church who can holistically administer the gospel to people of other cultures.”

Scott Davis
Valley Farm Manager

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Degree Layout

Sustainable Community Development Courses

The Sustainable Community Development major is a 126 hour program that includes 70 hours of general education courses (including 30 hours of Bible & Theology), 15 hours of open electives, and 42 hours in Sustainable Community Development-specific courses.

Featured Courses:

  • Introduction to Sustainable Development
  • Sustainable Agriculture & Conservation
  • Principles of Sustainable Development
  • Urban Community Development
  • Training & Discipling
  • Personal & Professional Appreciative Inquiry
Chloe Weathington

Testimonial

Majoring in SCD and entering the Global Missions Department meant stepping into the most supportive and loving community I have ever been in. Each professor is highly educated in their field and has years of experience, which is one of the most valuable resources as a student. Their office doors are always open to help students with work from any class even if it’s not their own. Personally, my professors have been with me every step of the way through some of the most challenging times in my life, have opened their homes to me, and have been eager to talk through life’s tough questions. They truly walk the walk and are amazing role models who show what it means to pursue God with excellence. With a major so focused on community, they have provided an exceptional example of what it means to build a loving community and how to make it work beyond our textbooks.
Chloe Weathington, Class of 2022
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Career Options

What can you do with a Sustainable Community Development degree?

When you earn a degree in Sustainable Community Development, you will find that there are many career opportunities available to you. Graduates are qualified for a wide range of jobs, such as:

Farm/Agricultural Manager

Many sustainable community development graduates pursue a career in farming or agriculture. These positions supervise farm workers and livestock. This also includes the oversight of budgets and crops.

International Missionary

Those who earn a degree in sustainable community development are particularly passionate about reaching the lost with the gospel through meeting tangible needs, which makes them well-suited to become a missionary.

Church Planter

Many denominations or faith-based organizations support church planting positions. These positions are pastors that are committed to the specific work of investing the time and energy necessary to establish new local Christian congregations.

Church Director

In many churches, there are a variety of directors who serve under the Pastor. Graduates with a global engagement degree are a perfect fit for these positions, specifically positions related to missions.

Meet the Professors

Global Engagement

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Scott Davis Operations Manager for Sustainable Development scdavis@tfc.edu
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