FIND YOUR FIT
Which concentration fits your calling?
Choose a concentration below to see its focus and who it is for. Your interests and the people you want to serve can help you decide.
Choose an option to see its focus and who it suits, or compare the choices together.
A quick way to decide
If you want broad church ministry preparation, start by exploring Pastoral Ministry. If you feel drawn to a particular area of service, compare that concentration with it.
Select a concentration to explore the kind of ministry it prepares you for.
Pastoral Ministry
Preach, shepherd, and lead.
- What you will study
- A broad preparation for church ministry, with study in preaching, pastoral care, biblical interpretation, evangelism, servant leadership, and church growth.
- Who it is for
- You want to serve as a pastor, help lead a church, plant a church, or develop a broad foundation for caring for a congregation.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to preaching Scripture, guiding believers, and helping a local church grow in spiritual health.
Christian Counseling
Bring biblical care to people’s lives.
- What you will study
- Study Christian counseling principles, ethics, listening and counseling techniques, crisis care, marriage, adolescents, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
- Who it is for
- You are drawn to one-to-one care, biblical encouragement, pastoral support, and helping people through personal or family challenges.
- Choose this if
- You want your studies to center on caring for hurting people and offering thoughtful, Scripture-grounded guidance.
Evangelism
Share the gospel and equip others to reach people.
- What you will study
- Explore personal witnessing, evangelism methods, preaching, apologetics, world religions, and compassionate outreach.
- Who it is for
- You have a strong desire to reach people for Christ, lead outreach, communicate the gospel, or equip a church to become more effective in evangelism.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to conversations about faith, community outreach, and helping people respond to Jesus.
Marketplace Ministry
Live your calling through work and business.
- What you will study
- Connect biblical principles with business, ethics, culture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and Kingdom living.
- Who it is for
- You are a business owner, entrepreneur, professional, or workplace leader who wants to serve God and influence others through everyday work.
- Choose this if
- You see your business, profession, or workplace as a place to practice integrity, serve people, and express your faith.
Youth Ministry
Reach and disciple the next generation.
- What you will study
- Study youth culture, current issues, youth evangelism, organizing a youth ministry, and biblical communication and care.
- Who it is for
- You serve or hope to serve teenagers and young people through a church, outreach ministry, or discipleship setting.
- Choose this if
- You want to help young people understand Scripture, grow in faith, and navigate the pressures of their generation.
Music Ministry
Lead worship and serve through music.
- What you will study
- Explore biblical worship, the Psalms, creativity, Christian music history, songwriting, worship leading, and a music ministry practicum.
- Who it is for
- You already have a basic musical background and want to develop the biblical and ministry side of serving as a worship leader, musician, or Christian creative.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to helping people worship God through music, creativity, and thoughtful worship leadership.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
Your tuition at a glance.
Published bachelor’s course tuition, before additional fees and books.
- Courses in this program
- 11 courses
- Pay by individual course
- $2,178
- Published paid-in-full tuition
- $1,500
11 courses × $198 per course
Save $678 on course tuition
Additional fees & your individual plan
There are no application, Degree Completion Plan, or graduation fees. Transcript requests are $10. Required books and other program-specific costs may apply.
Your Degree Completion Plan confirms the courses you need and any approved transfer credit. Admissions can confirm how these affect your individual cost. The totals above use the full published course count.
Multi-course and paid-in-full payments are nonrefundable. Paying by individual course remains available.
Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership
Concentration: Pastoral Ministry
Prepare for a life of ministry leadership and service in the Body of Christ. This program provides strong biblical foundations along with practical ministry training in preaching, evangelism, leadership, and pastoral care.
Students are equipped to serve effectively in churches, outreach ministries, and Christian organizations.
Program Overview
Total Courses: 11
Credits: 33 Credit Hours
Tuition: $198 per course
Format: 100% Online
Enrollment: Open Year-Round
Start Anytime
Pastoral Ministry Concentration
Pastoral ministry is both a calling and a responsibility. Those who shepherd God’s people must develop strong biblical understanding, communication skills, and spiritual leadership.
This concentration prepares students to preach the Word of God, minister to the broken, lead churches, and guide believers in spiritual growth.
What You Will Learn
Students in this concentration develop skills in:
- Sermon preparation and preaching
- Personal evangelism and soul winning
- Biblical interpretation
- Servant leadership
- Pastoral care and counseling
- Church planting principles
- Church growth and ministry leadership
1. APTH 4675 – Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
This course explores how believers discern and walk in the will of God. Students examine the difference between human reasoning and spiritual revelation, the illumination of Scripture, and the role of theology in renewing the mind and living a Spirit-filled life.
2. BIBL 4481 – Survey of the Book of Acts
This course examines the birth and growth of the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts. Students study the spread of the Gospel, the ministry of the apostles, and the powerful role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism and church expansion.
3. COMM 3785 – Christian Apologetics: Understanding Why You Believe
An introduction to defending the Christian faith. Students explore common challenges to Christianity such as the problem of evil, the reliability of Scripture, and the existence of God, while learning to clearly communicate the Christian worldview.
4. MINN 3245 – Hermeneutics: Interpreting the Bible
This course teaches the principles and methods of biblical interpretation. Students learn how context, genre, and historical background shape biblical meaning and how to apply sound interpretation methods to Scripture.
5. COMM 3780 – Communicating the Christian Faith: Personal Evangelism
This course equips students to effectively share the Gospel. Topics include personal witnessing, responding to objections, and leading others to Christ in a clear and compassionate manner.
6. MINN 4455 – Homiletics 101: Sermon Preparation
Students learn the fundamentals of preparing and delivering biblically faithful sermons. Instruction includes sermon structure, message development, delivery techniques, and evaluating sermon effectiveness.
7. EVAN 3500 – Preaching the Word of God
This course focuses on the practical aspects of preaching with clarity, conviction, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Emphasis is placed on communication skills, spontaneity in speaking, and connecting with listeners.
8. MINN 4355 – The Touch of Christ: Ministering to the Broken
A study of the biblical foundations for ministering to hurting people. Students learn how to listen with compassion, pray effectively, and bring hope and healing to those experiencing emotional and spiritual pain.
9. MLDS 3350 – Leading in the Spirit of Humility: Servant Leadership
This course examines God’s model for leadership in the Church. Students study key biblical passages on leadership and learn how to cultivate humility, integrity, and a true servant’s heart.
10. EVAN 4690 – Church Planting
This course explores the biblical and practical foundations for starting new churches. Students learn the principles, planning strategies, and leadership skills needed to establish and grow a healthy church.
11. MINN 4703 – Managing Church Growth
This course provides practical strategies for leading a growing church. Topics include staffing, ministry structure, ethical leadership, and developing a biblical approach to church growth.
Why Choose AMES Christian University
For more than two decades, AMES Christian University has been committed to providing affordable, accessible Christian education to students around the world. Our programs are designed to equip believers with strong biblical knowledge and practical ministry training while allowing students to study at their own pace.
Affordable Christian Education
We are committed to keeping Christian education accessible. Our tuition rates have remained unchanged for over 19 years, allowing students to pursue their calling without overwhelming financial burden.
100% Online Learning
Students can begin their studies anytime and complete courses from anywhere in the world. Our flexible online format allows students to balance ministry, family, and career while continuing their education.
Open Enrollment Year-Round
There are no semesters or waiting periods. Students can begin their degree program whenever they are ready.
Ministry-Focused Training
Our programs emphasize practical ministry training combined with strong biblical foundations to prepare students for real-world ministry opportunities.
Serving Students Worldwide
Through our partnership with AMES International School of Ministry (AISOM), we have helped equip more than 90,000 students from over 180 nations for ministry since 2005.
Begin Your Ministry Training
If God has placed a calling on your life to serve His people, this program can help prepare you for effective ministry leadership.