7 out of 10 young adults leave the Church
The Christian Higher Education Foundation® curbs this startling statistic by reducing barriers to attending Christian colleges and universities.
See our IMPACT below
We Need Restoration
This can't be the end of the story for the Churches of Christ
- The Churches of Christ in the U.S. will shrink from 1.1 million in 2016 to 250k by 2050 at the present rate of decline.*
- Most of this loss happens in the young adult years where 2/3rds of young believers leave their faith.**
- Among faith dropouts with a college degree, 47% say that college directly played a role in them leaving church!***
But there is hope.
The key ingredient lies in strengthening access to our Christian colleges & universities so our youth don't go through these important years without an important support system.
* Empty Church by Stan Granberg
** Faith For Exiles by David Kinnaman & Mark Matlock
*** Lifeway Research 2019
How CHEF Reduces the Cost of Christian Higher Education
How CHEF Reduces the Cost of Christian Higher Education
The Christian Higher Education Foundation® (CHEF) partners with churches to make Christian higher education more accessible by helping them offer church-funded scholarships that bridge the gap between private and state school costs. These scholarships encourage high school graduates to choose Christian colleges by easing the financial burden and highlighting the value of faith-based education.
Over 120 Churches of Christ are already actively engaged in gifting scholarships to their youth, helping them attend Christian institutions that might otherwise be financially out of reach. To expand these efforts, CHEF provides training and tools to equip volunteers with the skills needed to set up, grow, and manage scholarship funds. We offer guidance on fundraising, organizing events, and distributing scholarships, helping churches launch successful programs that put Christian higher education within everyone's reach.
Doubling the Church Scholarship
Moreover, six Church of Christ-affiliated colleges have committed to double a portion of these church-funded scholarships each semester for each student receiving church-based scholarship awards, multiplying the impact of each congregation’s efforts. The greatest match is currently $2,500 per semester per student! This matching program ensures students receive even greater financial support when they choose to attend one of these schools, making Christian education a more viable option.
If your church is ready to invest in the future of its youth through a church-match scholarship program, CHEF is here to help you get started. Contact us here or email tyler@chefscholars.org today to set up a scholarship fund at your congregation and partner with us in opening doors to Christ-centered education for the next generation.
Madison D.
Oklahoma Christian (OC)
Alumnus
“The scholarship from my home church tipped the scale towards me attending a Christian college. OC's church match helped me choose their school where I grew in my faith, met my husband, and fostered a deeper appreciation for my heritage in the churches of Christ."
David Shannon
Freed Hardeman University (FHU)
Former President
"FHU funds the church match discount. It is costly, but it is important to use to continue to not only build closer relationships with churches but give them a direct way to make a substantial contribution to their young people."
John Dodd
Fourth St. CoC
Elder
"We're a group of believers that knows the importance of Christian community in college which is why we get together every year over a benefit dinner to help every one of our graduating seniors maximize the church match program at their chosen Christian university."
CHEF in Numbers
120+
Churches w/ Scholarship Funds
$500k+
Scholarships Awarded
by Churches
300+
Volunteers Raising Awareness and Funds
Helping Churches Fundraise
CHEF Brings Universities Together
