Eastern University's motto, "faith, reason, justice," reflects its goal of preparing its students to present the Christian faith through words, service and application to justice issues. The school affords its students the opportunity for ministry and service in Habitat for Humanity, City Team, a prison ministry and other functions. Eastern, an affiliate of the American Baptist Church, offers undergraduate degrees in numerous disciplines. It operates the Palmer Theological Seminary and Esperanza College. The 94-acre campus is located in St. Davids, a suburb west of Philadelphia.
The Brethren in Christ Church founded Messiah College in 1909. The school claims roots in the Anabaptist, Pietists and Wesleyian traditions; a broadly evangelical faith base; and students representing many denominations. It has earned honors from "U.S. News and World Report" as among the top schools in the northeastern United States. Messiah's men's and women's soccer teams have won national championships in the same year, seven times. No other athletic program in the United States has seen such dual championships. Messiah sits on a 471-acre campus in Grantham, 12 miles from Pennsylvania's capitol, Harrisburg.
Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School began in 1933 with eight day and 14 evening students and a library owned by its founder, Dr. Henry J. Heydt. The institution now features a Worship and Performing Arts Department, which offers courses in worship arts, music education and music performance. The department provides opportunities for students to participate in choirs, orchestra, contemporary worship groups, chamber singers, interpretive dance and other worship ensembles. In addition to Worship and Performing Arts, Lancaster Bible College offers degrees in Bible Ministries, Teacher Education, Church and Ministry Leadership, Counseling and Social Work and Health and Physical Education.
The founders of Grove City College considered religion and ethics vital to civilization and believed that it should present the claims of the Christian faith and scripture to all. As stated in Grove City's catalog, the charter admits all qualified students "without regard to religious test or belief." Grove City states that it adheres to principles of political and religious freedom, representative government and the "free enterprise" economic system. The Young America's Foundation has ranked Grove City among its "Top Ten Conservative Schools." The school offers a curriculum that includes political science, business, education, economics, math, science and engineering, all of which is taught through a Christian viewpoint. Grove City College sits 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
Geneva College takes its name from the Switzerland town that served as the hub of the 16th Century Reformed Christian Faith movement. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America founded Geneva College in 1848. Thirty-two years later, the school moved from its birthplace of Northwood, Ohio, to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Degree programs include elementary education, business, engineering, student ministry, biology, psychology and master's degrees in such fields as business administration and cardiovascular science. Geneva College also operates the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry in Pittsburgh to train urban students for service in their communities.