The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities values our partnerships with institutions all over the world who share the vision of students’ lives being transformed by Christ-centered higher education. These international schools enrich the fellowship of our network and contribute unique perspective to the conversations shaping the future of Christian higher education. This is especially pertinent in those parts of the world, like Sub-Saharan Africa, where Christianity is experiencing significant growth. The following interview highlights two of our newest international affiliates: London School of Theology (Northwood, United Kingdom) and Leadstar Christian University (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). 

Why did you seek to become a member institution with the CCCU? 

London School of Theology (LSOT): We are on a developmental journey towards being a university college with our own degree awarding powers. As part of this development, we recognise that we belong to the broader Christian higher education scene globally. With the extension of the CCCU to non-North American countries and the acceptance of global partners, it became obvious to us, when looking for a global network, that CCCU provides the most obvious one for us because of our aspiration as well as our significant heritage in theological education. 

Leadstar Christian University (LCU): Christian higher education flourishes best at the intersection of collaboration, shared wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to biblical values. Operating in Ethiopia, Leadstar navigates a unique educational landscape. In many secular systems across the region, regulatory frameworks do not fully recognize or accredit explicitly faith-based academic programs. Becoming part of the CCCU creates a vital bridge, connecting us with a global family of like-minded institutions that share our passion for integrating faith and scholarship. Through this network, we are collaborating with established member universities to build capacity: co-designing robust curricula, strengthening faculty capabilities, expanding research, and launching innovative initiatives in key professional disciplines. These partnerships empower us to deliver globally relevant, top-tier education while remaining unreservedly faithful to our Christian mission. Ultimately, we did not seek membership merely to belong to a network, but to actively enrich a global movement. We believe that when Christian universities unite, we can address today’s most daunting social, educational, and spiritual challenges—equipping graduates to serve their communities, professions, and nations with integrity. 

How does collaboration with other CCCU institutions, or access to CCCU resources, strengthen your mission and impact? 

LSOT: We appreciate that we have an enormous amount that we can learn from others in Christian higher education, as well as enriching others in turn in their own distinctive educational mission. The CCCU network provides the opportunity to collaborate with other institutions, for example with semester abroad programmes, or through collaborative research projects. We are committed to both research and professional practice informed teaching. By collaborating with institutions in the CCCU that also have these commitments, we hope there will be significant levels of synergy that will benefit all parties. 

LCU: At Leadstar, we believe lasting impact is built through authentic relationships. As a rapidly growing Christian university, our mission is to cultivate leaders who are academically brilliant, ethically grounded, and driven by a heart for service. Access to CCCU collective wisdom of peer institutions allows us to expand our institutional capacity and elevate student support. We particularly value walking alongside universities that have successfully navigated institutional growth challenges similar to our own. Above all, our partnership reaffirms that Christ-centered higher education is a collective calling: together, we are equipping the next generation to serve God faithfully in an ever-changing world. 

What is an institutional goal you hope to achieve within the next five years? In what ways do/could you see the CCCU and fellow member institutions helping with that goal? 

LSOT: We are looking to develop a major research collaboration that aligns with our research strategy around our key themes of (1) Church and society, (2) theology, spirituality and formation and (3) evangelicalism and ecumenism. CCCU and fellow members could help us to create this important strategy network and provide resources (facilities, travel funds and workshop and conference funds) to enrich and strengthen the impact of research and professional practice informed teaching at the institutions involved. 

LCU: Over the next five years, Leadstar Christian University aims to solidify its position as one of Ethiopia’s premier Christ-centered universities—distinguished for academic excellence, digital innovation, servant leadership, and real-world impact. To realize this vision, we are actively expanding high-quality academic programs aligned with emerging national and regional economic and workforce needs, elevating our research output and scholarly contributions, advancing flexible, technology-enabled dynamic learning platforms, and deepening community transformation through social entrepreneurship and ethical leadership. The CCCU network is an invaluable partner in this journey. Through collaborative research, faculty and student exchanges, curriculum co-development, and executive mentoring, CCCU peer institutions can help us scale our impact while keeping us anchored in our foundational mission.  

AT A GLANCE

Leadstar Christian University | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Founded in 2016
Total Enrolled Students: 17,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students
Global Alumni Network: 9,000+ students
Flagship Academic Programs:Theology & Biblical Studies; Transformational Leadership; Business & Management; Community Development; Peace & Conflict Studies 
Strategic Priorities:

• Expanding flexible online platforms to make quality higher education accessible to working adults and students in rural regions.

• Launching interdisciplinary centers focused on national development priorities, local economic growth, and governance.

• Partnering with international institutions to fund joint research, advanced degree completion, and teaching exchanges for core faculty.

• Embedding structured mentorship, ethical training, and career readiness into every academic program.

• Directing student capstone projects and faculty research toward local civic needs, sustainable development, and regional peacebuilding.

• Continuously updating internal quality assurance protocols to match international higher education benchmarks.

London School of Theology | Northwood, United Kingdom
Founded in 1943
Total Enrolled Students: 337 students
Global Alumni Network: 3,000 students
Flagship Academic Programs: BA (Hon) Theology, BA (Hon) Theology and Counselling (accredited by the British Association of Counselling Practitioners), MA Biblical Studies, MPhil/PhD Programme
Strategic Priorities:

• Secure Teaching Degree Awarding Powers from the Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in England, and submit an application for Research Degree Awarding Powers.
• Develop LST’s educational offering by introducing validated, bite-sized lifelong learning modules alongside its validated degree programmes, taking advantage of the UK Government’s Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
• Explore strategic partnerships with organisations that share LST’s ethos and contribute to its mission of forming disciples, resourcing churches, and impacting society.