Chip Lamca is originally from Pennsylvania and has been in the Phoenix area since 2008. He earned a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina and is working on a Doctor of Ministry in Missions in the area of Short-Term Mission. He and his family served as missionaries in Peru and Ecuador from 2000 to 2008 and continue the work during summers, along with Grand Canyon University students. His wife, Julie, is a student in the College of Theology; they have a son who teaches at a Christian school, another who is a Physician Assistant, a daughter who is an RN and a son who is a graphic design major – all either with GCU degrees or in the process.
Faculty Spotlight
I love what I do. I spent years as a missionary, sharing Christ, planting churches, helping communities and more things than I can name. In this stage of my life, I get to challenge a new generation to take up some of those goals and then I get to take them to a place where God is doing amazing things.
I have a map on my wall that shows the nations of the world. The missionary part of me hears “make disciples of all nations,” but as an instructor at GCU, the nations come to me! I am able to share my passion for the Christian worldview with students from all parts of the world and to present a faith that is based on the one true God who loves us and provides reconciliation to a world that so desperately needs him.
Finish. You do not need to finish quickly, nor take forever, but finish your degree. Ministry has an element of urgency and I have known many theology students who really believed that they needed to break off the learning and get about the doing. While some of those went on to have success in life and ministry, they are the exception and not the rule. I see in scripture that there is a pattern of people who were called by God and who for an extended period were set apart for preparation.
