It has been almost 10 years since I attended BCOM (Bethany College of Missions - what it was called when I attended).... I hesitate to even post this review, but I believe it needs to be put out there. Bethany has a good idea, I moved over 1,000 miles to attend Bethany because I liked the fact that you would get to actually practice missions and outreach hands-on, and get the overseas experience as well....When I became a student and was on campus it was a different story than what they advertise, favoritism with students is extremely obvious, if you arent a favorite, your time here will not be enjoyable, I came as a student a few years out of high school with some job and world experience, yet I was placed in the dishwashing room as my on campus job, I appealed and was switched to the admissions office as their data entry tech, where there was little to zero grace given ever.... you were a minute late, you were written up or publicly reprimanded and getting any of the given 10 hours off was next to impossible.... I was also one of the few that met the requirements in my class to drive campus cars, so I had to drive every single week to downtown Minneapolis for outreach with a group in a car that barely had working breaks, but if we didnt go wed get in trouble.... Also if you missed any classes you were looked down upon, sometimes people need to rest and catch up.... better not do it here.....I came in January so I went from January to September nonstop for the freshman year, I had 2 weeks combined time off that entire time, exhaustion and keeping up was very real and very much condemned, you were to be super human here.... it eventually caused me to become so ill I could not get out of bed and ended up in urgent care, then to be greeted back on campus by the dean of women telling me I had 24 hours to withdraw and be off campus and that I was permanently banned from campus, which I have been back a few times, because I broke zero rules, I just got deathly ill, which isnt a sin... I literally knew noone locally except Bethany people, so I had to drop over $700 on last minute plane tickets, pack up my dorm room, go through all the withdraw paperwork all while feeling like actual death... the place almost killed me with their extreme requirements for months on end....I was in a class of over 20, by the end of the year I was only 1 of 2 to qualify for the one-year certificate, and the class had dropped to under 12 people, yet it still wasnt enough for them...... also if you withdraw you wont receive a dime of money back for time you werent even enrolled, I know many students who were unable to go on their trips and internships, and instead of refunding the money they stated they would credit it for future use, which is a lie, once you are determined to be not a choice student there wont be any future trips for that credit to apply .....Another issue is how isolating, bubble-like, even cult like the campus is, it took me well over 6 months after being asked to withdraw and coming back to the real world to even feel human again, let alone be okay with making a different decision than they would have, bring a car so you can get off campus some is my best recommendation....Also dont even get me started on the spiritual warfare and lack of help the staff/faculty provide when it happens, you and your dorm mates are on your own, unless you are a favorite and can be magically whisked off campus to the safety of a staff members private home.... if you like rigorous rules, academics, workhorse style lifestyle this might be a really good fit for you.... but if you believe in rest, grace, and real accountability you might want to look elsewhere.I am grateful I came, because Minnesota is pretty amazing, and I now live here full time, but I would really use caution in choosing to go to Bethany.

This school is full of people who love Jesus Christ and not only believe but also take action on what His word teaches. This school is a training ground for committed disciples of Jesus to become equipped to live out the great commission in a global sense.

I enjoyed my time at BGU, but it isnt a good school. The culture is cult like at times, culture is very manic and afraid of questions, us vs them, very seperate from the world, heavily paranoid about superstitious things, etc. Some of these are ignored by staff, some are encouraged, and some are just learned in class. Many students leave school early, many drop out; I have seen teachers get mad at them without trying to understand why. internships leadership is horrible. They want you to raise $25,000, youre not allowed to use loans, and they call you lazy if you struggle to raise the money. If you want theological study, a safe place the question your beliefs, or to do missions DONT COME HERE! There are better options.

This school is actually the worst. For many reasons. Mostly because of the disciplinary staff and the way they handle the discipleship. They do not disciple. They have very little grace with messing up. And then when they do kick you out they ask you to pay the entire semester worth of money even if you were there only a couple months. So theyre out for the money.. please do not send your kids here. many of my friends have attended the school and eventually drop out. This is not a safe place to question your faith or study theology. This school is very legalistic at times. They want you to swallow what they have to say and if you question it or bring up different ideas they consider you leading people away. And thats not a university thats not how it should be. Its a place to learn right its a place to question. For example I was interested in what universalism had to say. I didnt believe it and I wasnt fully convinced I just was wondering about it and asking for more information and they wrote me up for it. theres also 200 girls to about 60 guys as a ratio. Which is incredibly dangerous for most people coming out of high school. And most of these girls are afraid of men for some reason and then the boys get accused of sexual harassment. Instead of really being biblical and and going up to the the accused and working it out. Cuz most things are usually just a misunderstanding. The grace of Jesus is not at the school. And the saddest part is most of these students are really great kids and Im afraid that at the end of their time here they will be brainwashed and will lose their real hope in humanity and hope in missions. Cuz being a missionary is a calling and its important and its supposed to have this purity have this this discipleship in this the striving to bring the gospel. Not a place of legalism you cant save souls and legalism. Theyre also thieves. A sad representation of Christ indeed.a sad representation of Christ indeed.

Best experience ever. ♥️ the prayer, the chapel, mission work. Jesus. All I can say is if you’re contemplating on going, go. You won’t regret it. Life long friends are made here.

Coming to Bethany was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. When i got here i was not sure what to expect really, but it has been a place where i have been grown in my walk with the Lord, and have learned more about myself, the Bible, just how much God loves us. Chapel is great, the food is great, and the staff cares deeply about not only our academics, but our spiritual and physical well-being. This place is life changing.

This is an amazing place to go to school. I love the people that are here and the community. It is so different from other colleges and even though I am doing an internship and not the degree. I will always remember the time I have spent here and the people that I have met.

BGU is an awesome school!! The professors and classes are amazing and they really are preparing us well for full time missions. (I am so excited for internship!) Also, I just love living with the community and doing life together. :) excited for what God is doing at this school!!

The LEAD internship opportunity is amazing! The whole campus is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people. Learning here has been one of the best experiences of my life. Lots of practical training, where we get to love God & people while earning a degree. Also, Fried Oreos are a thing.

I dont know of a better school that is so family-oriented and all else they offer here. Ive learned more about Jesus just by knowing the people from Bethany Global. To be honest, I wish the schools chapels were Sunday services sometimes, just because you cant get that out of a normal Sunday service anywhere, at least not where Ive been. If you want a Christ-centered school, I can only tell you that if you feel Gods calling to this particular school, then I hope that you know that the school itself is a confirmation, because the love of Jesus overflows in the atmosphere on this campus, through the people, the ministries, etc.

Absolutely love the community, fellowship and leadership that comes with this school!! Just being in my first year I have grown SO much! So thankful to be here:)

I apologize if this is long but please understand that if something I write is this long, I believe it needs to be said.I requested a brochure from BGU and I got a phone call from them. I thought to myself, Okay, they are probably just going to ask some questions and figure out what Im involved in and why I want to request information for this college. I happily talked to the woman on the phone, I talked about my past in Christian schools and my grades, interests outside of high school, etc. Things were going great! She then asked my belief system, to which I responded by saying that ultimately I believe that there is a higher power, but it doesnt matter what you call it. As long as there is love in your heart and you are doing good things, it doesnt matter what practice you preach. Gods work is Gods work even if you dont do it under that name.Not only did she refuse to accept my answer, her obscene unprofessional attitude towards me was disgusting and revolting. I dont think that I have ever been degraded in such a way. She responded to my beliefs by trying to convince herself that I was indeed Christian, then when I refused to call myself by a belief system I am not a part of (even though I do have a very positive history with my christian religious experiences in the past), she told me that I shouldnt apply because I dont follow the work of God.I helped start up an organization at my old Christian school to help children in war torn areas get the materials they need to have an education and she is telling me I am against God?Not only does she insult my morality, she also goes on to ask about what I do believe in and questions things that should not be brought up in a college interview. She asks What is your philosophy of life? in a very aggressive tone, like she is accusing me of having no moral compass. I tell her that joy and peace are the fundamental basis of what I believe in. Well where do you think that joy comes from? I personally believe that joy comes from inside yourself, but even if you do believe in God, he has still gifted you the opportunity to feel inner joy and peace, which is part of Jesus teachings.After calmly explaining to her my beliefs after her very unprofessional questions accused at me in a very offensive way, she asks one last question that has me ready to file a formal complaint. Well, what about murderers? They experience joy from killing people. Do you support that?Shame on you. How dare you ask a question like that to a prospective student. Are you so blind to not understand that your bigotry and hatred is part of the reason why the faith you are so vehemently protecting is being criticized for their discriminatory actions and practices in modern day society? I have no issue with any religion, but your actions under the name of the Lord is tainting what Christianity means, as well as violating the true meaning of the Third Commandment, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, which means to not commit evil in the name of the Lord.After I was shell shocked by her answer, I told her that tainted souls and hearts cannot experience true joy. Since it wasnt the Satan worshiping answer she expected me to say, she begrudgingly moved on as I had wiped out any chance of her challenging my beliefs anymore.I have never, in all of my years of religious and non-religious practices, have been treated like this in my entire life.Earlier in the interview, she explained that BGU mission is to help convert people to Christianity, which I have my reservations about, but If this is the typical way you treat people of another religion or faith, Bethany Global, I wonder how many people have actually been saved by your practices.This may be a Christian university, but I doubt many of the people working here will be seeing heaven one they pass into the next life.

This is an amazing school! Even as a freshman, I have already learned a great deal about God, the Bible, and even my own self! I strongly recommend this school for anyone considering a career in Christian missions!

Bethany Global University gives a practical hands-on training in missions and leadership. For anyone who desires to serve in ministry whether in the States or overseas, this is definitely an experience you do not want to miss out on!

BGU is an amazing school. Being here it has challenged me and encouraged me in so many ways. I absolutely love it.

Bethany is a school that makes missions practical. You get to learn about Gods heart of the nations not only through classes, but also through community life, outreaches, chapels and more.

Met a very evil woman here today. Someone that disguises her evilness in a mask of charity and servitude. The kind of person that practices the direct opposite of what they preach.

Bethany Global University has been a fantastic journey so far. I have learned more than Id ever imagined, and the community here is great.

BGU grows a great community. They help you dive deep into your relationship with God, and really prepare you for your future.

I truly love being a student here! It is a college, so the class work is difficuly; it is a college with an amazing atmosphere and community!

Bethany Global Universitys online masters classes were great! The curriculum was good, staff insightful, and was very practical to my day job.

I am so thankful that God led me to Bethany. Hes doing a great work here, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Bethany Global University is an amazing college that challenges and encourages me each day with its community atmosphere and strong faith!

I love this school! Gods doing amazing things here and Ive never felt more at home

A great, missions minded community with a diverse offering from their varied history.

When I came as a student in January 2011, I never could have imagined what God was going to do in my life through BGU. I am so thankful for Gods faithfulness in leading me to move to Minnesota from Texas and the unending grace he gave me to stick it out in the hard times. The staff at BGU are amazing and genuinely care for each student who attends their classes, works in their department or hangs out in their huddle group. BGU has taught me so much about myself, the importance of community and the calling God has placed on my life. I am so thankful that I found this school when I did.

BGU is amazing :) :) I have only been here a few months and I have learned so much and made so many amazing friendships :)

Been to college several times for their chapel services and events. Great institution.

Awesome place to learn and grow in your relationship with Christ!!!

I love the family atmosphere!!

This college is amazing !

Cool venue.

Please place and friendly students

Vacation time thanks

Bethany