Messiah University 
The information on this page was last updated 3/16/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Messiah University is an educational community profoundly committed to worshipping, loving and serving God. The University's motto, "Christ Preeminent," points to our community's full, rich shared understanding of Jesus Christ and how the Christian faith is relevant to every dimension of life. At Messiah we're committed to personal faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and to pursuing the exemplary nature of Christ's life as a model for our own lives. This common Christian conviction shapes every aspect of students' experiences in the Messiah community.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Messiah University
1 University Ave
Ste 3010
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Website: messiah.edu
Phone: 717-796-1800
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 231352661
CEO/President: Kim S Phipps, PhD
Chairman: Dr. Craig E. Sider
Board size: 30
Founder: S.R. Smith
Ruling year: 1945
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church.
Mission statement
The mission of Messiah College is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society.
The opening commitment of our mission statementto develop students' "maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith"reflects the integration of our community's shared faith into every aspect of the Messiah University experience. This holistic educational model was the bold vision of our founder S. R. Smith more than 100 years ago and remains a cornerstone of our identity.
The other core components of Messiah's mission-service, leadership and reconciliation-are also firmly rooted in the context of our Christian faith. We don't just serve because it's the "right thing to do"; we serve because God calls us to open our hearts to the poor and needy and to work for justice wherever injustice prevails. We learn to lead believing that Jesus is our ultimate example of leading with compassion, respect and love. And, because of our faith, we are compelled to build bridges of understanding and peace to demonstrate the reconciling love of God to others.
Statement of faith
Messiah University affirms the historic Apostle's Creed as its central statement of faith. In addition, Messiah asks that all community members support the Confession of Faith which expresses the faith orientation of the College in a nonsectarian manner that highlights the specific emphases of the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian faith. It is included frequently in campus worship University educators are expected to support the University Confession of Faith and affirm the Apostles' Creed.
Confession of Faith
We believe in the triune God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-who created and sustains the universe, and who desires to redeem us and all creation.
God creates each of us in the very image of God to live in loving relationships: free, responsible and accountable to God and each other for our decisions and our actions.
God speaks to us in many different ways, times and places but is uniquely revealed to all the world in Jesus of Nazareth who was fully human and fully divine.
God forgives our sins, renews our hearts and minds, and calls us to join in the work of reconciliation by grace through faith in the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God bestows on us the Holy Spirit who leads us to repentance, instructs us in righteousness and empowers us to live joyfully as disciples of Christ, as servants of others and as caretakers of the created order.
God calls us to unite in the Church as a visible community of believers which celebrates God's grace in its worship and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel through its being, doing and speaking.
God gives us the Bible as the inspired, trustworthy and authoritative Scripture to reveal God's ways and purposes, to nourish our minds and souls and to instruct us in how we ought to think and to live.
God instructs us to pursue the kingdom of peace, righteousness and justice which ultimately will prevail with the return of Christ and assures us that those judged faithful will share resurrected life with God and all the saints forever.
We praise the one God-our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer-who has called us to personal faith and new life in Christ and to so order our lives that they may demonstrate the truth of our confession.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 455 of 1104 | 61 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 629 of 1105 | 79 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 306 of 1105 | 33 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 551 of 1104 | 74 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 13% | 20% | 20% | 31% | 15% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 9% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 91% | 94% | 94% | 95% | 91% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 87% | 87% | 87% | 88% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 97% | 104% | 103% | 102% | 95% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 85% | 90% | 89% | 90% | 84% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 3% | -4% | -3% | -2% | 5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 2% | -2% | -2% | -1% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 10% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.46 | 0.43 | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.42 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 2.30 | 2.36 | 2.45 | 2.37 | 2.28 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.07 | 1.01 | 1.08 | 1.04 | 0.96 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.60 | 14.82 | 13.04 | 9.77 | 13.22 | 10.48 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.10 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.34 | 10.47 | 10.95 | 9.98 | 10.63 | 11.31 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 28% | 28% | 27% | 26% | 27% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 22% | 21% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 154% | 167% | 165% | 168% | 174% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $12,987,375 | $11,856,922 | $9,510,874 | $5,616,513 | $7,285,877 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $10,288,405 | $9,360,030 | $10,516,420 | $12,168,547 | $11,673,868 |
| Short-term investments | $113,690,000 | $121,552,989 | $111,798,759 | $121,719,059 | $130,319,921 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $136,965,780 | $142,769,941 | $131,826,053 | $139,504,119 | $149,279,666 |
| Long-term investments | $24,113,487 | $27,871,547 | $27,473,294 | $28,897,518 | $25,002,492 |
| Fixed assets | $140,175,133 | $148,479,879 | $152,206,286 | $151,263,698 | $156,356,433 |
| Other long-term assets | $13,981,191 | $18,023,276 | $10,835,581 | $11,095,059 | $9,298,328 |
| Total long-term assets | $178,269,811 | $194,374,702 | $190,515,161 | $191,256,275 | $190,657,253 |
| Total assets | $315,235,591 | $337,144,643 | $322,341,214 | $330,760,394 | $339,936,919 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $7,450,637 | $9,265,489 | $12,154,485 | $8,894,747 | $11,246,159 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,788,626 | $1,685,017 | $1,341,806 | $1,655,388 | $2,994,768 |
| Total current liabilities | $9,239,263 | $10,950,506 | $13,496,291 | $10,550,135 | $14,240,927 |
| Debt | $68,759,714 | $70,572,942 | $64,780,514 | $66,956,641 | $68,743,571 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $11,648,520 | $14,437,198 | $9,651,397 | $8,302,252 | $7,225,498 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $80,408,234 | $85,010,140 | $74,431,911 | $75,258,893 | $75,969,069 |
| Total liabilities | $89,647,497 | $95,960,646 | $87,928,202 | $85,809,028 | $90,209,996 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $166,378,586 | $180,154,319 | $178,043,091 | $185,543,635 | $192,294,110 |
| With donor restrictions | $59,209,508 | $61,029,678 | $56,369,921 | $59,407,731 | $57,432,813 |
| Net assets | $225,588,094 | $241,183,997 | $234,413,012 | $244,951,366 | $249,726,923 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $13,696,508 | $8,518,107 | $8,308,983 | $6,562,057 | $13,625,733 |
| Program service revenue | $124,438,986 | $121,521,407 | $122,972,500 | $126,811,463 | $123,543,081 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $11,507,485 | $8,399,694 | $6,716,241 | $7,870,699 | $12,853,236 |
| Other revenue | $1,087,469 | $905,051 | $710,725 | $1,078,517 | $914,548 |
| Total other revenue | $137,033,940 | $130,826,152 | $130,399,466 | $135,760,679 | $137,310,865 |
| Total revenue | $150,730,448 | $139,344,259 | $138,708,449 | $142,322,736 | $150,936,598 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $127,739,504 | $125,146,617 | $123,811,686 | $128,582,447 | $126,214,743 |
| Management and general | $16,895,173 | $17,623,740 | $16,805,204 | $14,901,450 | $15,019,988 |
| Fundraising | $1,751,145 | $1,676,020 | $1,668,753 | $2,037,966 | $2,030,804 |
| Total expenses | $146,385,822 | $144,446,377 | $142,285,643 | $145,521,863 | $143,265,535 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $4,344,626 | ($5,102,118) | ($3,577,194) | ($3,199,127) | $7,671,063 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $4,344,626 | ($5,102,118) | ($3,577,194) | ($3,199,127) | $7,671,063 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Kim S Phipps | President | $455,066 |
| Randall G Basinger | Provost | $232,409 |
| Amanda A Coffey | VP HR | $220,993 |
| D Kelly Phipps | Advisor&ride | $220,554 |
| Barry G Goodling | VP Advanceme | $219,423 |
| David S Walker | VP Finance A | $214,048 |
| Kathrynne G Shafer | VP Operation | $185,692 |
| John A Chopka | VP Enrollmnt | $178,320 |
| Kristin M Hansen-Kieffer | Vice Provost | $176,051 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/16/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Messiah University received its charter in 1909. Founded by the Brethren in Christ Church, its orientation to Christian service is reflected in its first name-Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home. Originally located in Harrisburg, the school was moved to Grantham in 1911 following the construction of Old Main. This building is on land donated by the College's first president, Samuel Rogers Smith, whose house and various business interests were in the village of Grantham.
In the early years, the school offered a high school curriculum and several Bible programs. By 1921 it had also become a junior college, making it the second junior college in Pennsylvania. To reflect this development, the school's name was changed to Messiah Bible School. By the early 1950s the school had developed four-year college programs in religious education and theology. Another change of name-to Messiah College-again intentionally reflected this academic advance of the College. During the 1950s, the College added degree programs in the liberal arts and in 1959 discontinued the secondary school program. Following accreditation in 1963, the College significantly increased the number of majors offered in the liberal arts and introduced undergraduate programs in professional studies. Messiah College now offers more than 85 academic majors.
A growing campus
Growth in the student body and in facilities accompanied the growth in the academic program. Contributing to the increase in numbers of students was the College's policy, declared in its earliest official statements, of welcoming non-Brethren in Christ people as members of the student body. From a first-year total of 12 students, the student body has grown to nearly 2,800 undergraduate students, representing more than 60 denominations. Facilities have also increased from one building-Old Main-to a campus of 471 acres, offering students a breadth of well equipped, high-quality academic, cocurricular, and residential facilities.
Other significant developments have occurred within the last 30 years. In 1965, Upland College, a Brethren in Christ school in California, merged with Messiah College. Three years later, Messiah College opened its Philadelphia Campus in collaboration with Temple University, the first cooperative arrangement in the United States between a church-related college and a nonsectarian university. In 1983, the College became the senior educational partner with Daystar Institute (now Daystar University) in Nairobi, Kenya. Messiah College played a leading role in the founding of the Christian College Consortium in 1971, and later, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. In 1972 the legal ties between the College and the Brethren in Christ Church were replaced with a covenant relationship in which legal ownership of the College was placed with a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees.
Messiah's presidents
Two presidents held notably lengthy terms of office. C.N. Hostetter Jr. (president from 1934 to 1960) directed the College through the difficult years of the Depression, and guided its academic life into becoming a four-year liberal arts college. D. Ray Hostetter presided for thirty years (1964-1994) over an expansion that occurred on virtually every level of Messiah College's life.
Under the leadership of its seventh president, Rodney J. Sawatsky, the College furthered its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement and rearticulated its mission and identity statement as follows:
Messiah College is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The College is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian church. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in Church and society.
In December 2004, the College celebrated the appointment of its eighth president, Kim S. Phipps. With the changes and developments of the past 100 years, various elements in the history of Messiah College have remained constant-an emphasis on education for service, acceptance of students and faculty from a diversity of backgrounds, a commitment to excellence, and an endeavor to make Christ preeminent.