Higher Education

Alphacrucis University College (AC) celebrated its 75th Anniversary on 14th February 2023. We are the oldest and largest Pentecostal college in Australia, and we have had a long and fruitful relationship with Australian Christian Churches (ACC). AC alumni have provided significant leadership and ministry to the Pentecostal church in Australia and around the world.

The most significant milestone to celebrate in 20212022 is that AC is now a University College. The government regulator, TEQSA, confirmed its decision to register AC in the University College category on 25th January 2022. In announcing its decision, TEQSA noted that this category was “granted only to institutions that deliver superior quality higher education”. We should all be rightly proud of this achievement – both AC and ACC.

We have been on a sustained growth trajectory for the past 25 years and maintaining this trajectory remains a strategic priority. The global pandemic impacted the higher education sector in 2021 and 2022, however AC was able to maintain enrolment levels during a period of decline in many public universities and other providers. For this we’re very grateful, especially for the support of ACC during this disruption.

The latest national student experience survey reaffirms that our students really enjoy studying at AC and value their educational experience. Student satisfaction with the ‘Quality of Entire Educational Experience’ was at 87.4% (up from 83.7%), satisfaction with ‘Teaching Quality’ was at 90.4%, satisfaction with ‘Skills Development’ at 87.1%, and satisfaction with Student Support at 84.3%. These results place AC in the top 10% of colleges and universities in Australia. We can all be proud of our University College.

We now have more than 10,000 Alumni on our database, many of them pastors or former pastors.

We are grateful for their fruitful ministry and their continuing support. AC is one of the shared experiences for many ACC ministers and we have recently instituted new alumni programs to provide opportunities for people to remain connected with AC and with each other.

We are looking to the future with expectation of God’s continuing blessing. Our next strategic focus will be on the goal of becoming a global Christian University transforming neighbourhoods and nations. Achieving university status will be a significant challenge and will require growth, quality education delivery, investment into research, and enhancement of all aspects of operation. It will also require strong support from our movement. This is not a path we can walk alone, nor would we want to.

Leadership and Structure

The leadership of AC has remained stable during this conference period. Stephen and Sandra Fogarty celebrated 29 years of leadership and service to AC in January 2023. Several staff received Dedicated Service Awards, celebrating 10, 15, or 20 years with AC. AC remains closely aligned to ACC in leadership and governance. The governing body of AC is the Council which is elected by the Members of the Company at the Annual General Meeting. Michael Murphy is the Chair of the Council. The Members of the Company are the elected National and State Executive Members of ACC. The Council members are:

Pastor Michael Murphy (Chair)

Mr Mark Burgess (Deputy Chair)

Professor Lily Arasaratnam-Smith

Pastor Brad Bonhomme

Dr Stephen Crouch

Professor Stephen Fogarty (President)

Mr Scott Haslem

Professor Martin Hovey

Mr Gary Lottering

Dr David Perry (Chair of Academic Board

Assoc Professor Stuart Piggin

Mrs Wendy Simpson

Mr Paul Vinton

The members of the Executive Team are:

Professor Stephen Fogarty (President)

Professor Lily Arasaratnam-Smith (DVP Faculty)

Pastor Greg Cortese (VP Operations)

Professor Mark Hutchinson (VP Development

Mr Gary Lottering (VP Growth)

Dr David Perry (VP Academic)

Statistics and Facts

AC is both a Higher Education Provider and a Registered Training Organisation. It is one of only five University Colleges in Australia and one of only 13 institutions in Australia with the same Self-Accrediting Authority as universities. This demonstrates the government’s high level of trust in our quality and standards. AC offers courses at Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor, Masters, and Doctoral level.

• Total enrolled students remained steady at 3,701 in 2021 and 3,682 in 2022. This is significant given the disruption we all endured in this period.

• AC has campuses in Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

• AC partners with over 130 churches and colleges in Australia and overseas.

• AC has four Higher Education Third Party Arrangements to deliver AC degree courses: Hillsong College (Sydney); National Institute for Christian Education (Sydney); Iso Kirja College (Finland); and Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (Philippines).

• AC operates Learning Centres at St Philip’s Christian College, Hunter Valley (Education Hub), C3 Oxford Falls, and Iglesia El Lugar de Su Presencia in Bogotá, Colombia.

• AC offers courses in four Languages Other Than English (LOTE): Korean, Spanish, Finnish, and Italian.

• AC was able to maintain its annual revenue within a steady range between $27.6m in 2021 and $27.2m in 2022, despite the sector-wide challenges caused by the pandemic.

• Net equity has also been largely maintained and is currently at $36.2m which has the College in a healthy Balance Sheet position.

• Total permanent staff at the end of 2022 was over 200, with over 280 casuals and sessional lecturers able to be called upon.

Training, Equipping & Resources

AC continues to serve ACC through developing resources, providing training, and offering professional development for leaders. During 2021 and 2022, in addition and apart from regular educational offerings, AC has provided:

• A range of Professional Credential courses, including Leading Through Crisis, Understanding Revelation, and Leading Change. This range will increase in 2023.

• Expertise to the ACC National Executive developing positional papers on current issues.

• Expertise to the ACC National Executive revising the ACC doctrinal statement.

• Expertise to the ACC NSW Discipleship Working Group.

• Professional Development at ACC Regional Meetings and Pastors’ Intensives.

• Leadership resources for ACC pastors and leaders.

• Training for chaplaincy for Chaplaincy Australia.

• Training in support of the ministry of Youth Alive.

• Training in support of ACC Community Engagement initiatives, working closely with national and state leaders in this area.

• Local Church College program and resources designed specifically for discipleship and leadership development within local churches.

• A number of free online masterclasses featuring topics such as “staying focused in a world of distraction”, “women in leadership”, and “public leadership in a hostile environment”.

Highlights

• AC continued its strong history of partnering with churches and aligned organisations including A21, Christian Education Ministries, Kingdomcity, and Lachlan Macquarie Institute. AC received reregistration as a higher education provider for 7 years with no conditions.

• AC received re-registration as a higher education provider for 7 years with no conditions.

• AC received 87.4% student satisfaction with the ‘Quality of Entire Educational Experience’, 90.4% satisfaction with ‘Teaching Quality’, 87.1% satisfaction with ‘Skills Development’, and 84.3% satisfaction with Student Support at 84.3%.

• New courses were accredited, including: Certificate IV in Ministry and Discipleship, Diploma of Christian Ministry, Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry, Diploma of Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary), Undergraduate Certificate in Community Services, Diploma of Music, Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice, Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision, Graduate Certificate in Wellbeing Studies, Graduate Diploma of Counselling, and Master of Counselling.

• New academic appointments were made, including: Associate Professor Johannes Luetz, Associate Professor Alistair Symons, and Associate

Professor Jeffrey Aernie.

• Professor Jacqui Grey spoke at the World Council of Churches General Assembly in Germany on the ‘Ecumenical Engagement of Pentecostals’ and participated at the Catholic/Pentecostal International Dialogue in Rome as one of eight Pentecostals representing our global movement.

• Council awarded Honorary Doctorates to Phil Pringle and Russell Evans.

New Initiatives

• Development of Allied Health courses in partnership with significant faith-based healthcare providers. We are running a pilot project this semester and planning a large-scale rollout in 2023.

• Partnering with industry on cadetship programs for entrepreneurs.

• Revamping our Certificate IV in Ministry and Discipleship to align it more closely with ACC leadership and local church needs. The new version will be available during 2023 and will include input from significant church leaders.

• Developing short courses and micro-credentials which could serve as short and topical training programs for pastors who are seeking continuing professional development.

• Working with ACC NSW on their church planting pilot program and other pathways for leadership development.

• Expanding our fundraising program. We have just received our first million-dollar gift and look forward to many more soon.

Goals and Vision

AC’s Mission, Vision, and Values remain consistent.

Mission:

• Equipping Christian leaders to change the world.

Vision:

• A global Christian university, transforming neighbourhoods and nations.

Values:

• Christian: We are committed to an orthodox view of Scriptures and serving the Church.

• Growth: We are committed to organisational growth.

• Integrity: We are committed to accountability and reliability in our dealings.

• Excellence: We are committed to doing our personal best for God.

• Faith: We are committed to an attitude of faith.

• Health: We are committed to personal and organisational health.

• Humility: We are committed to humility before God. The College Strategic Plan contains a more elaborate and specific description of goals, strategies, projects, and intended outcomes.

The Council and staff of AC consider it a privilege to serve God and Australian Christian Churches. We recognise and appreciate our wonderful history and anticipate a significant future as we participate in ACC’s expanding influence within Australia and overseas.

Stephen Fogarty AC President