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In the early 1990s, ��ݮӰ�� became the first school to offer a graduate degree in biblical counseling — the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC). Now, ��ݮӰ�� has become the first school to offer two specialized emphases within that program.

“We’re breaking new ground here,” says Dr. Ernie Baker, program chair and architect of the two new MABC tracks: one in missions, and the other in mediation.

Applications for both are currently open for the fall 2026 semester, with the missions emphasis already offering a summer 2026 class.

The missions emphasis is designed to equip believers for the ministry of intensive discipleship, in whatever global context they plan to serve.

“We believe the Bible is sufficient for the whole world,” Baker says. “And biblical counseling is not just for a western culture.”

He hopes the missions emphasis will equip future missionaries and international students to take biblical counseling to all the nations. Baker describes it as aimed at “equipping equippers,” with courses that prepare students for the unique problems encountered in cross-cultural and global contexts.

The mediation emphasis, meanwhile, will equip students to intervene in high-pressure conflicts within the church, following Christ’s example as the ultimate mediator. Baker stresses the importance of such a role.

“Sometimes marriages get to a place where it’s such a crisis that traditional marriage counseling doesn’t seem to work,” he says. This is where a trained mediator would step in. Other crises include family conflicts and church splits.

This track will include a hands-on practicum course where students gain experience leading mediations.

Baker says this degree is for “anybody that has a heart for reconciliation. And I’m praying that the Lord will raise up many, many, many mediators.”

Learn more about ��ݮӰ��’s MABC program here.