FALLS CHURCH — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies has set a record enrollment for the fall semester.
Leland students getting ready for class at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church.
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Led by an increase in master’s degree students and a record number of diploma students, Leland set an all-time enrollment record of 198 total students this fall. That included 74 master’s degree students and 124 diploma students, who take undergraduate classes.
When the Leland Center needed to find a new place to house its main campus earlier this year, Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church came to the rescue by offering class space without charge to the 10-year old seminary. Leland was forced to move because its previous host, the Church at Clarendon, is launching a massive rebuilding campaign this fall.
Leland moved its offices and library to the Baptist World Alliance building in Falls Church and moved its fall classes to Columbia Baptist, which is directly across the street from the BWA. The move has gone well as Leland welcomed 12 students to its new master of arts in Christian leadership program.
The diploma courses, which are offered by Leland’s School of Ministry, grew in nearly every part of the state, led by large increases in Mineral and Southwest Virginia. Students also flocked to courses taught in Charlottesville, Hampton Roads, Richmond and Falls Church.
One hundred and twenty-four students are taking undergraduate diploma courses through Leland this semester, compared to 83 students last spring. Susan Moore, director of Leland’s School of Ministry, credited the excellent work done by various site directors for the large increase in students.
Many BGAV churches and institutions help the Leland Center keep its costs low by offering free space for classes. First Baptist Church of Newport News, Derbyshire Baptist Church of Richmond, Broadus Memorial and Mt. View Baptist churches in Charlottesville, Bonsack Baptist Church of Roanoke, First Baptist Church of Nickelsville, Mineral Baptist Church in Mineral and Round Oak Baptist in Corbin all help Leland reach Virginia Baptist students across the state by hosting classes.
The Lebanon and Henry County Baptist associations and the Baptist Student Union of the University of Virginia at Wise also host Leland classes.