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John Basie to lead academics at IMPACT 360

John Basie recently was selected as the associate director of IMPACT 360, a new organization geared toward teaching young adults to engage culture and be servant leaders whose actions earn a hearing of their faith. Basie will serve as Academic Team Leader and Associate Director for Academics for the organization. Basie recently served as Dean of Enrollment Management at Columbia (S.C.) International University and is finishing his doctor of philosophy degree in church-state studies from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He assumed his new role with IMPACT 360 on May 1.

He earned a master’s degree in philosophy of religion and ethics from Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., in 1991. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and christian education in 1991 from Erskine College in Due West, S.C., where he met his wife, Marana. Basie also is a 1996 alumnus of the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs. He has taught ethics at Erskine Theological Seminary and philosophy at Columbia International University.

IMPACT 360, started by John and Trudy White of Lifeshape Foundation, selected Larry Cox as director, and Eric Turner and Kelly Geer as associate directors. With Basie's appointment, the core team will be moving to complete the curriculum development and promote the program. Basie already is working with the team, as well as representatives from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., to develop the program. IMPACT 360 is partnering with Union University (www.uu.edu) to provide 15 hours of academic credit to students who complete the program.

"John Basie is a uniquely gifted scholar, administrator, and teacher -- a rare combination,” said Gregory A. Thornbury, Dean of the School of Christian Studies at Union University. “Lifeshape has found the ideal leader for this significant initiative. "

Basie will fill a special faculty appointment at Union as a part of his duties.

Cox and the board were looking for someone who could communicate with young adults while living an example of what he is teaching. Basie can challenge the students' minds as well as help them live out what they learn, Cox said.

"John will help students to know what it means to know God and the Bible," Cox said. "He will help them discover within themselves a new boldness in proclaiming and defending the Truth."

The Basies have worked in ministry serving college students in the past, and they are excited about assuming roles that will allow them serve in this capacity again. Basie points out times in his life when older, wiser and more mature Christians have helped him grow and develop. Basie, in turn, is looking forward to mentoring IMPACT 360 students spiritually and intellectually.

"I am thrilled to be on board with this team," Basie said. "The people make all the difference - they have a very strong sense of integrity and they take their faith seriously."

Included will be a class called Impact (IMPACT?) 360 Core Values, a foundational course that will ask students to look at who they are in Christ, what He calls them to do in their lives and how their chosen vocation is related to His call on their lives.

"Our courses will help students understand how reality itself is revealed through God's Word and his world; and how He has placed His thumbprint on nature and how He has impressed the knowledge of Him on their hearts," Basie said.

This "gap year" program will include studies in biblical foundations, apologetics, ethics, critical thinking and spiritual formation. Now that IMPACT 360 has a full slate of officers, Basie said they can move forward, promoting the program to those who will graduate in the spring. Currently, students from nine states have registered for the program. Applications will be taken through early summer. Only 50 students will be selected for the first program, beginning Sept. 5.

IMPACT 360 is a nine-month residential adventure, developed by Lifeshape for students ages 18 - 20. This program is designed to be an interactive and experiential living/learning community focused on biblical Christian worldview, vocational understanding, spiritual and life formation and a month-long international experience. The goal of IMPACT 360 is to revolutionize leaders of the emerging generation to prepare them for the lives they were created to live.

Lifeshape Foundation, founded by John and Trudy Cathy White, is affiliated with Chick-fil-A, Inc. The foundation was formed in 2003 to facilitate the development of godly women and men shaped by a passionate walk and authentic personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the Whites have observed Christian young people leaving for college who are unprepared for the challenges they will face in the university ethos, as well as the secular world. Toward that end, the IMPACT 360 program will address the need for godly leadership in all areas of society for generations to come.

To learn about Impact 360 or to apply, go to www.impact360.net

IMPACT 360 - Know * Be * Live