084: Brian Mueller on the Exploding Growth of Grand Canyon University (GCU), and How This Massive University Has a Plan to Raise Up Disciples

President Brian Mueller joined Grand Canyon University in July 2008, transforming it from a financially struggling institution into a driving force in higher education. Under his leadership, campus enrollment grew from 2,600 to over 25,200, and online enrollment soared to nearly 93,500 students. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

     

Today’s sponsor is Child Beyond International (CBI). 

I love the work that Child Beyond International does in Guatemala. This is a mission organization that is the most intentional overseas organization about rescuing the vulnerable that I’ve ever seen. They reach the kids that even other great mission organizations may miss. And I’d love for you to check out this organization and be changed in just 10,000 minutes! Why 10,000? Because 10,000 minutes is the exact amount of time spent on a seven-day mission trip. Child Beyond International has everything set up for you and your church to experience a powerful overseas mission trip that will not only change the life of someone in Guatemala, but amazingly, it changes lives for those who go on the mission trip as well. You and your church can be transformed in just 10,000 minutes.

Truthfully, in my life, I can point to the impact that overseas missions trips had perhaps more than anything else in my faith formative years. And even still in my adulthood when I’ve had the chance to go. It changes my perspective, restores my purpose, and it grows my faith unlike any experience I’ve ever had.

Mission trips are one of the most effective faith-building discipleship opportunities God provides for us, not only to make a huge spiritual difference in the life of one soul at a time, but in each one of our own spiritual lives as well! So, today, I invite you to check out the great work of our partner at their website www.childbeyond.org. 

Also, check out my webinar with CBI Founder Jeff Mueller about how you can join a powerful global mission effort like CBI. 

Resources mentioned in the episod

University of Phoenix

Grand Canyon University

Key insights from the episode: 

I never stopped coaching, I just have a bigger team now. – Brian Mueller

I think the two greatest ideas in history that created the most prosperous society in the world are the free market system and the Christian worldview perspective. – Brian Mueller

We have created 16,000 jobs in the area since we moved here. – Brian Mueller

We wanted our faith expression to be visible, relentless, and identifying with those people who have the least of these. That’s the irresistible way to live.  – Brian Mueller

What people thought would be a detriment (poverty location) has turned out to be an absolute blessing. – Brian Mueller

70% of our students are Christians, that means 30% are not. – Brian Mueller

I see a desire in millennials to serve. – Brian Mueller

We need to get kids believing that they are going to have a ministry in whatever occupation they are doing.  Briin Mueller

We haven’t raised tuition in sixteen years. – Brian Mueller

Brian Mueller’s Challenge: Don’t be afraid to take the Word of God very seriously.

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.