i.e. Frequently Asked Questions, or Questions We Think You Might Be Wondering About, or Questions We Wish You'd Ask

Why the Highlands Study Center?

In an age where answers are there at the click of a button, where information is ubiquitous (don't know what that means? Go ahead and look it up on the internet, we'll wait, and it will be an object lesson), we believe that we have lost something. We have lost the capacity, or the desire to be involved in one another's lives, to encourage one another to good works, to live together in a context of mutual accountability. In our age of technological wonders we don't know how to talk to each other anymore. That is why the Highlands Study Center exists, to teach the oracles of God in a quiet, face-to-face, real-life context. With the exception of this web site, we teach the old fashioned way, by talking together and reading. We invite students to come and be a part of our lives, and to be nurtured away from the information overload of the broader culture. Whether it be living in our homes as a resident student, or sitting in our living rooms at one of our studies, we teach in the context of the Christian home. We are non-institutional to a fault (witness the fact that we existed almost four years before creating this web site, and are still working on a brochure). But we are zealous, zealous for the Reformed faith, for the kingdom of Jesus Christ, for godly living and dominion, for raising up our children as servant-warriors of the King, for living simple, separate and deliberate lives to the glory of God and for the building of His kingdom.

Where did you guys come from?

R.C. came from the old Ligonier Valley Study Center, the precursor of Ligonier Ministries. While delighted at the amazing scope of Ligonier's work, he remembers fondly how it used to be, that Ligonier once really knew the people they were teaching, that in the old days came and lived with us as they studied. Believing that there was still a place for such study Laurence and R.C. moved from Orlando to the mountains of southwest Virginia.

Why in southwest Virginia?

Here's where it gets really spiritual. We believed, rightly, that there would be a good number of like-minded people in this area. There are many strong Reformed churches, a large homeschooling community, and several colleges from which to draw students. In addition we have here weather, space, mountains, and beauty, all in stark contrast to Orlando.

Okay, so what's it like to have R.C. Sproul for a father?

Perhaps the hardest part is always having to answer this question. My father and mother are wonderful people whom I love dearly. They are wonderful in ways few people know about. And I am perfectly comfortable in his shadow because the two of us live in His shadow, which is all that really matters.

How can I participate?

If you're local you're welcome to come to any of our events. Check under "Goings On" at the left navigation bar for all the details. Or, you can send us your email address to info[at]highlandsstudycenter[dot]org and be put on our weekly e-newsletter, send us your snail mail address for occasional mailings on special events, or keep checking the main page under "News" for what's going on.) There are no age requirements for anything we do. If you're not local you could move here and become local. If that seems a little extreme, you could come for a while and study with us.

If even that is too much you can start by subscribing to Every Thought Captive, our bi-monthly newsletter/magazine. The subscription cost is just $20 a year.

You can support the work of the Highlands Study Center. Like every ministry, we depend upon the donations of our supporters to keep the ministry moving forward. You can find out more about how to support the ministry here.

If your just looking for a free introduction to the Highlands Study Center, you may get a free information packet. It comes with a free issue of Every Thought Captive, a brief explanation of our ministry, a CD sampler of The Basement Tapes, and other various and sundry material that we may put in the packet.