Jerusalem Campus
3 Aravnah HaYevusi
Hebron Road,
P.O. Box 1276, Mt. Zion
91012 Jerusalem, Israel
voice: 972-2-671-8628
fax: 972-2-673-2717
North American Office
4249 E. State St., Suite 203
Rockford, IL, 61108
toll free: 1-800-891-9408
voice: 815-229-5900
fax: 815-229-5901
admissions@juc.edu
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student comments |
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Testimonials About Security |
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Jordan McGowen, Westmont
College -
It is truly impossible to understand what is meant by ‘localized’
violence without coming over to Israel and exploring Israel for
yourself. From overlooking the Valley of Elah, where David whooped on
Goliath to reading the Sermon on the Mount from its actual hill of
deliverance, my experience at JUC has revealed new realities of
scripture. From hiking in En Gedi where David hid from Saul to floating
down the Jordan River on a hot fall afternoon, my time at JUC
has been an adventure. From challenging classes such as
Rabbinical Thought and Literature taught by a Jewish rabbi to
powerful community fellowship and a lifestyle of worship, my
studies at JUC have been a field of spiritual growth. With the
worldwide security crisis we exercise much caution as to what
areas we travel, but I have at no point felt in any danger. This
university is an amazing place and I would recommend it to
anyone who is willing to expand their horizons and get dirty in
God's chosen land of revelation! |
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Belinda Sue Bliss,
Northwestern College -
There have been many moments since my
arrival here at JUC where I have been struck with how truly
blessed I am to be here in Israel for this time in my life. I
had many questions and apprehensions about coming to this
country to live as I continued to hear reports concerning the
political turbulence and acts of terrorism from home.
Fortunately, the beckoning of the sovereign God we serve allowed
me the certainty I needed to get on the plane and to come.
Although I am not able to see in full all of the good that will
come from my time at JUC, I do encounter daily glimpses of the
change that is going on in my life. I would encourage anyone
faced with the decision of whether or not to come to Jerusalem
to study not to allow anything to thwart their pursuit of God,
wherever that may take them. |
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Megan Laughlin, Wheaton
College -
It wasn’t an easy decision to come to JUC this
fall, but now I can’t imagine not being here. The people I’ve
met and the sights I’ve seen are incredible. There are fewer
students at JUC than usual, but that means smaller, more
personal classes and the chance to know everyone here well. My
friends and I explore Jerusalem, and I feel comfortable going to
every quarter of the Old City. Some people may think it’s
dangerous to be here, but life in Israel continues quite
normally. I’m able to learn a lot about the way things really
are here, and I can visit some of the holiest sites to
Christianity and Judaism without being disturbed by crowds of
tourists. I am starting to feel as if part of me belongs here. |
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Clint Sullivan, Taylor
University -
The question looms: why did I decide to come to
school here, in the midst of this conflict? The answer is
simple: I believe that God wanted me to come. One person told me
that if I looked at the situation objectively there would be no
reason for me to choose to go. I responded that I did not want
to live my life making decisions based on fear. Now, this does
not throw out wisdom or discernment. However, true wisdom comes
from God alone. When one becomes a follower of Christ, one gives
up the right to his or her own life. The question changes from:
"What do I want to do?" to "What does the Father want me to do?"
Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the
gospel will save it (Mark 8:34-35)." I think of the Apostle
Paul, who though he knew that going to Jerusalem would bring him
into chains, (Acts 21:11), and though people tried to persuade
him otherwise, he still went because he believed that was what
would glorify the Lord. As I am a child of God, the place where
I want to be is in perfect communion with the Father. The
scariest thing for me is not whether or not I die, but whether
or not I am known by God and going to be with Him for eternity
(Matthew 10:28). May my life exist only to glorify the Father.
Amen. |
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Sallie Rupe,
Bethel College (IN) -
All my life I've prayed that
God would bring his "Mt. Zion presence" to me. This semester,
God has brought me to it. This has been a Hosea 6 semester. That
is to say, the Lord has been breaking me and healing me and
transforming my life. I feel so blessed that He has brought me
to his own special place so that He could take care of me and
doctor me into wholeness in Him. The relationships I have made
here with students, faculty, and staff have had an eternal
impact on my life, and God is using the atmosphere of the land
to show me more of how He sees me and loves me and knows me.
God's perfect timing is beyond comprehension! |
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Brant Meckel,
Northwest Nazarene University -
I have heard it said
before that there are two types of people in this world: the
first is the astronomer, who likes to view and study things from
a distance, and the second is the astronaut, who wants to
experience space and walk on the surface of the moon. I came to
the Holy Land because I wanted to walk were Jesus walked.
Studying at Jerusalem University College was exactly what I was
looking for. It has made the Bible come to life in a whole new
way. Where else can one read about David facing Goliath, Jesus
riding the colt to the temple and the disciples fishing in the
Sea of Galilee and then go and see were it all took place. It
has allowed me to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see the stories
of the Bible. For me there is no greater thing. |
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Lyla Hagood,
Simpson College -
Despite the unrest among the
nations of our world and even here within the Holy Land, God has
blessed me beyond measure to be here at JUC this semester! With
this turmoil around I think that it has given me a greater
desire to live out each day here to the fullest. The experiences
that I have had and the knowledge that I continue to gain have
been incredible and unforgettable. Walking through Hezekiah's
dark tunnel, camping on the beach of the Sea of Galilee and
studying deeply into the people and places of the Word of
God…then being able to see it with my own eyes! After this
semester here is over, I know I will be changed and just maybe,
I might not want to leave. |
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Bruce Bergdall, Huntington College -
Spending a semester studying at JUC has been a dream of mine since my
family left after a sabbatical 9 years ago. Finding a semester in which
a trip to Israel would fit was the opportunity that I had to take,
knowing full well that there would be no time easier than the present to
study in the land of the Bible. Though the current political situation
did generate concerns and questions, I still felt peace about coming at
such a tumultuous time. My understanding of the fact that "peace" in
Israel will only exist in varying degrees of violence and confrontation,
and faith in the ability of JUC to keep me safe allowed me to fly
halfway around the world to join 50 other students in Jerusalem.
I am an Elementary Education Major whose main interest in studying at
JUC came from realizing the opportunities I would have to grow
spiritually and to take in as much as I could about archaeology,
geography, geology and history. Such knowledge is invaluable to me in my
spiritual development and in supplementing my classroom once I return to
Huntington to do my student teaching, and then in my own classrooms in
the future. This semester has proven to me already that the programs JUC
offers are invaluable. I have found the atmosphere and learning that
takes place to be so refreshing that I truly believe that the school
deserves to continue being an instrument of God’s Kingdom here in the
Holy Land.
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Mark
Jackson, Columbia International University -
If I
rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of
the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand
will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:9,10). These are the words God
reminded me of when I was wrestling with the decision of whether
or not to study in Israel for the Fall Semester. Now I am so
glad I came. Studying at Jerusalem University College has been a
good change for me after three years at Columbia International
University. My workload and schedule here have been a little
lighter, giving me a chance to step back from usual life and be
refreshed. The student body is very small so we are close and
have had special times together. It is good to be here with my
fiancée, Charis Bryant who attended Gordon College in the past.
We were engaged only a week before coming here and have enjoyed
the chance to study together at the same school. In addition to
all this, just being here in the land of the Bible has been
great! Stories come to life as I am able to visualize the hills,
valleys, deserts, and cities. I am thankful for the opportunity
to be here. With all the turmoil that is going on not only in
this country but also in the world right now I am continually
comforted by the knowledge that I am in God’s hands. In His
hands is the best place to be! |
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Karie Heijermans, Appalachian Bible College
- I am greatly enjoying my stay here at JUC. I’m learning a lot,
not only academically, but spiritually and relationally as well. Being
able to experience the land of the Bible is invaluable. It will
definitely be a teaching tool in the future, as well as help me in my
own personal study of God’s Word.
The number of students here this semester is low, which is bad for
the school, but great for the students! Having fewer students enhances
the atmosphere. It is much more intimate and personal. The students this
semester are very committed, and I have really enjoyed getting to know
all of them.
The political situation being what it is at the moment does not
really affect us. If I didn’t keep up on the news, I would never have
guessed all that’s been going on. I feel very safe here, and the
administration makes sure we stay safe.
I would not give up this semester for anything. God has been teaching
many things here that I wouldn’t have been able to learn had I stayed at
my home school.
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Quentin Falkena, Geneva College
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soon as I found out about an exchange program in Israel I got very
excited and talked to my advisor about studying at JUC. Before I knew
it, it was spring of my junior year, and I needed to make some concrete
plans in order to study abroad. I didn't think it was going to work out,
it was getting late, I was broke, and things in Israel were tense, but
God was gracious and provided for all my needs and here I am in Israel.
This semester has been amazing! There is a small group of students,
but it is a great group of people who are dedicated to the Lord and have
a great desire to know and love Him more. We all have learned so much
about the land of Israel, the stories in the Bible, and about God's
faithfulness. Personally, my eyes have been opened up to the world
around me. I have been learning so much about the history of the
Christian faith, about the Jews and the Muslims and especially how much
of a necessity there is for the Gospel to reach this area. The Gospel of
Christ is the only thing that brings peace, and this land is starving
for peace at this time.
If anyone is serious about Biblical studies, studies in the Middle
East, or other related fields I would strongly recommend that he or she
look into studying at Jerusalem University College.
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Katie
Livingston, Cedarville University -
For the past two
years it has been my goal to study in Israel for a semester.
When the intifada broke out last fall some of my friends and
family believed I would change my plans. I did not. I never
wavered in my desire to come to Israel. I believe my
steadfastness was based on the trust I have in Jerusalem
University College and the people I know who have connections
with the institution. Although bombs were going off here and
there throughout Israel, I knew the news could not be trusted to
given an accurate portrait of the situation. Instead, I decided
to trust the board at JUC, Dr. Wright, and my school when they
said it would be okay to come. I have not regretted my decision
in the least. When I arrived in Israel it was as I expected.
Although there are places JUC advises us not to visit, for the
most part I feel as safe here as I do at home. Sure there is a
risk that one of us may get hurt, but the risk does not seem
much greater than the risk of getting hurt at home. I'm glad I
listened to the first-hand witness of those living in the land
as opposed to what the news media said. I am so thankful I was
not scared out of partaking of the priceless experience I am
having in Israel. | | |
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Related Information |
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» Student
Testimonials: More testimonies from students about JUC. |
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» Student Videos:
Some videotaped testimonies. |
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