"I believe this center will play a critical role in strengthening Biola University in the midst of the challenges we face in a rapidly changing, secularizing context," said Biola University President, Barry H. Corey. "We need to tap into the Spirit's power in our own campus and celebrate His movement in the wider world. Christian higher education demands not just intellectual development but spiritual formation, not just rational inquiry but supernatural encounter."

The center is envisioned as a home for Biblical scholars who wish to provide greater attention to not just a theology of the Holy Spirit but also the awakening and empowering of the Holy Spirit. It will be a training ground for students and faculty who want a greater infusion of the Spirit's enablement to be more effective in evangelism, global mission, praying for the sick, bringing deliverance to the oppressed and defeating the power of sin.

Among the initiatives led by the center will be a global leader-in-residence appointment with two one-week intensive residents for an internationally influential Christian leader, a faculty fellows research program, a biennial international student conference on spirit empowerment, a biennial symposium featuring faculty research, monthly spirit empowerment vespers services, and collaborative work with existing Biola departments. (Photo Credit: Flickr)

"Biola wants to learn from the extraordinary ways that the Spirit is working globally and for our students to experience this empowerment to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ," said Clinton E. Arnold, dean of Talbot School of Theology, who has helped to guide the proposal for the center. "We believe that this may indeed be a place where God pours out His Spirit in palpable ways that call us to bolder lives of obedience and service and evangelism."

In funding the center, the donors, who wished to remain unnamed, noted that Biola has a long tradition of emphasizing the importance of the Word of God. The motivation for funding a center at Biola was to balance the study of the Word of God with a renewed emphasis on the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, they said.

The center will function under the oversight of Talbot School of Theology, and will be housed on campus. A director to lead the center will be selected with help from a search committee later this spring, at the conclusion of a nationwide search process that began earlier this year.

Biola leaders see the center as a powerful counterweight to the challenges pressing upon Christian colleges and universities.

"We would be so bold as to pray and plan that through this project Biola would be a place where God would begin a revival the likes of which we have never seen and the impact of which would be globally felt, advancing the Gospel around the world," states the center's proposal document.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

First Lady: 'Melania' Documentary Movie is 'Emotional,' 'Cinematic'

A Different Kind of Classroom Is Outperforming Expectations

Elon Musk's Warning to Parents: 'Woke Programming Is Everywhere in Children's 'Educational Shows,' Even Peppa Pig

School Fires 'Character Coach' after Atheists Complain

Marine Vet Missionary Killed During Facebook Marketplace Meetup Sent Heartbreaking Text Before Death

Maximum Pressure on Iran as US Military Positions for Strikes

Bill and Hillary Clinton Contempt Vote Set for Next Wednesday

Don Lemon Arrested for Role in Church Service Disruption by Anti-ICE Activists

Nicki Minaj? Creed? Who Will Headline Turning Point USA's Rival Super Bowl Halftime Show?

'Trump Accounts' Savings for Kids: How They Work and Who Is Eligible

Here's Why Many Say the Ilhan Omar Assault Was Staged

VIDEO: Alex Pretti Attacked Federal Agents' SUV 2 Weeks Before His Death

Tom Homan in Minnesota: Sanctuary States Are 'Sanctuaries for Criminals'

FBI Searches Fulton County Election Hub More Than 5 Years after Georgia 2020 Election Probe Began

Iran: Pastor Tells of 'Massacre' Under Islamic Regime

Iran: EU Finally Designates the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization

'Should Be Top Priority': New Report Urges Government to Invest in American Family

Manipulation, Abuse, and Pseudo-Solutions: Canada Is Showing Us the True, Ugly Colors of Euthanasia

Vague CA 'Anti-Hate' Bill Could Put Biblical Beliefs in the Crosshairs

House Republicans Create Sharia-Free America Caucus: 'We Will Not Surrender Our Freedoms'