Reprinted with permission of the Pentecostal Evangel.

Jaakko Romu, 62, fulfilled a longtime dream when he graduated from Global University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and theology. The graduation ceremony was held at the Pentecostal church in Keuruu, Finland. "The church was full of people, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was really powerful," Romu says.

Today Romu is a missionary and pastor working in full-time ministry. "I began studying by correspondence about three years ago," he says. "The Holy Spirit works wonderfully and powerfully through the textbooks and study guides. Although the Bible has been the most important book for me since childhood, it became even more interesting and life-giving during my studies. My prayer is that many evangelists, missionaries and preachers will discover the studies as I did."

In impoverished villages in Asia, Africa and Latin America; in the world's largest metropolises; in nations where Christianity is oppressed and believers scarce; in countries where millions attend church; in groups and as individuals, nearly half a million people are studying Christ-centered courses from Global University.

"About 482,000 students around the world are studying in all levels of our curriculum," says Global President Ron Iwasko. "Just last year, about 95,000 students accepted Christ as their Savior."

Not only are students finding Christ, but thousands are receiving training to grow in their faith and reach their communities with the gospel.

"Global University goes where we cannot send missionary personnel," says Mike McClaflin, U.S. Assemblies of God World Missions administrator. "It's a vital ministry involving many of our missionaries full-time. They are able to multiply themselves in their students who, in turn, travel back to homelands, some of which have never opened their borders to Christian witness."

"Day after day Global University demonstrates the foundational principle of missions—that of teaching believers overseas to reach their own people," says Neil Ruda, Global's director of recruitment and project management. "It's the bedrock of Global University's mission, and as a result, people in the world's finest cities and poverty—stricken slums are being reached and taught the precious truths of the gospel."

Global University's headquarters is in Springfield, Mo., near the U.S. Assemblies of headquarters. The newly refurbished complex is the nerve center for 16 regional offices that coordinate the ministries of 180 national offices in 179 countries. Recently renamed, Global combined and built upon the strong foundations of two long-standing Assemblies of God institutions-ICI University and Berean University (see sidebars). Using resources created by both universities, Global is providing vital services throughout the world.

In local churches across the United States, 1,074 study centers assist students in the pre-college Berean School of the Bible level as they prepare for licensing and ordination with the U.S. Assemblies of God.