CIU alumnus Brent McHugh: A mission leader in innovation and excellence
October 16, 2024
Congratulations to Columbia International University alumnus Brent McHugh who was awarded the 2024 eXcelerate Award from Missio Nexus for excellence in innovation and excellence.
Missio Nexus represents over 53,000 staff members of organizations, churches and businesses engaged in the Great Commission.
McHugh is the international director of mission agency Christar, providing spiritual, visionary, executive and developmental leadership. His charge is to serve God, Christar workers and the least-reached by shepherding the ministries of Christar, in order to cultivate Christ-honoring transformation in least-reached communities.
Brent and his wife, Kim, became believers after they were married while Brent was pursuing a career at Walgreens. After serving in their home church and attending a “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” course, they felt called to work among the least-reached and attended CIU to become better equipped for ministry. He earned a Master of Arts in Missions from the CIU Seminary & School of Counseling in 2003.
It was at CIU that Brent and Kim became acquainted with Christar and eventually sensed a call to work among refugees in the Middle East.
They served in the Middle East for nearly 10 years, focusing on church planting, leadership development and theological education. Brent also served in a leadership role for workers in the region; Kim briefly served as a regional women’s ministry coordinator before Brent accepted the role of international director of Christar.
Brent says his time at CIU was instrumental in sharpening his skills in evangelism, discipleship, and developing new followers of Christ.
“Even after more than 20 years, I continue to see the significant impact of the network CIU provided — colleagues and fellow practitioners who still play a vital role in my life and ministry today,” McHugh said. “The faculty, in particular, have become lifelong mentors and coworkers in ways I could never have imagined, offering support, guidance, and opportunities that continue to shape my journey.”
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