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Uplifted Youth

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

Why Restoration?

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So the Next Generation Will Know

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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

Students on Stairs

Why Christian Colleges and Universities?

Enter your email to receive our exclusive, comprehension 30-page report, The CASE for Christian Higher Education, which details with research-backed studies why Christian Colleges are better than secular public schools.

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)

President

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"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

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"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."

Helping Churches Fundraise

1 / Freedom Food

Freedom Food meal prep packets let you enjoy a delicious meal with under 2 minutes of prep—simply add the packet and a few ingredients to your slow cooker. 100% of proceeds go toward Christian college scholarships.

ORDER HERE

2 / Church of Christ Cookbook

Enjoy the best potluck recipes from churches of Christ nationwide with our unique cookbook, celebrating fellowship and tradition, while supporting Christian college scholarships. Shipping in early 2025.

JOIN WAITLIST HERE

CHEF in Numbers

120+

Churches w/ Scholarship Funds

$500k+

Scholarships Awarded

by Churches

300+

Volunteers Raising Awareness and Funds

Financing the Future

In addition to working with churches to provide church-funded  scholarships, we also reward randomly selected current high school students with a $7,5000 scholarship. Fill out the Christian College Contact Form with your college preferences to enter.

CHEF Brings Universities Together

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