How a Theology of Holiness Course at Kansas Christian College Changed Bailey Wagner’s Faith
Bailey Wagner wears many hats at Kansas Christian College.
She is a KCC alumna, a member of the admissions team, and a softball coach. But when she enrolled in the Theology of Holiness course, she didn’t expect it to leave a lasting mark on her faith.
“Honestly, I had taken religion classes before,” Bailey said. “So I was just like, you know, it’s going to be something I go through the motions on and get my assignments done.”
At the time, her life was already full. She was taking multiple classes, working full time, coaching softball, and planning a wedding. Like many adult learners and online students, her focus was simply managing everything on her plate.
“I was really just planning on getting through the class,” she said.
That mindset didn’t last long.
When Theology Became Personal
Bailey remembers the moment something shifted. It wasn’t during a lecture or an assignment, but while reading the course textbook.
“It was very informal, and I felt like I could relate to it a lot better,” she explained. “It wasn’t just reading facts or definitions of theology. It took Scripture and made it easier to digest.”
For Bailey, that accessibility mattered. The material felt personal, not distant or overly academic.
“I felt like any type of learner could benefit from it,” she said.
That approach is intentional at Kansas Christian College, where theology courses are designed to deepen students’ faith, not just test their knowledge.
Rethinking Faith and the Journey of Sanctification
One of the biggest surprises for Bailey came from learning about sanctification.
“I got saved when I was young, and I kind of thought that was it,” she said. “You get saved, and then you just live your life after that.”
Instead, Bailey found herself frustrated by repeated struggles and the feeling that she was falling short.
“I was upset because I felt like I kept messing up and going through the same cycles,” she shared.
The Theology of Holiness course reframed that experience.
“This class helped me understand that salvation is just the beginning,” Bailey said. “Sanctification is a whole process that you go through throughout your life.”
That realization changed how she viewed her relationship with God and herself.
“It helped me understand that struggle doesn’t mean failure,” she said. “It means you’re still growing.”
Faith as Relationship, Not Rules
Another key shift came in how Bailey understood her walk with God.
“The class helped change the way I see God,” she explained. “It’s more of a relationship, not just following rules.”
Scripture became more meaningful as she spent intentional time engaging with it.
“God can take one scripture, and it can mean something to you in one stage of life,” she said. “Then you read it years later, and it means something completely different.”
Bailey began setting aside Saturday mornings to focus on the class.
“It would just be a couple of hours,” she said. “But I wasn’t just doing assignments. I actually grew in my relationship with God because I leaned into the class.”
Finding Confidence to Share Her Faith
Before taking the course, Bailey struggled with confidence in sharing her faith.
“I thought if I wasn’t a perfect Christian, people wouldn’t really listen to me,” she said.
The class challenged that belief.
“It showed me that people relate to your struggles and your humility,” Bailey explained. “That gave me more confidence to share the gospel, especially with my family.”
She noticed a real difference in her relationships.
“It’s made a huge difference, especially in my relationship with my sister,” she said. “I feel more confident when she asks me questions.”
Understanding Holiness Through Grace
One of the most impactful lessons Bailey took away from the course was a deeper understanding of holiness itself.
“Holiness isn’t something we can achieve on our own,” she said. “There’s no good deeds or anything we can do to earn it.”
Instead, she learned that holiness is a gift.
“It’s by the grace of God,” Bailey explained. “Our responsibility is to accept it and keep pursuing our relationship with Him as we move through the journey of sanctification.”
Living Out What She Learned
Today, Bailey sees the impact of the class in her everyday life at Kansas Christian College and beyond.
“I’m more confident praying with people and sharing my story,” she said.
Where she once felt pressure to say the right thing, she now relies on God.
“I just say a quick prayer and ask God to work through me,” Bailey explained. “That takes the pressure off, and I trust that He’ll say what needs to be said.”
Why Theology at Kansas Christian College Is Different
For Bailey, the Theology of Holiness course stands out because it went deeper than a typical college class.
“Usually, you’re just trying to get through assignments,” she said. “But this one really worked on my relationship with God.”
Her advice to students is simple.
“The more you lean into this class, the more you’re going to get out of it,” Bailey said. “You’ll get more than just a grade.”
At Kansas Christian College, theology isn’t just something students study. It’s something they live, wrestle with, and grow through.
And for Bailey Wagner, that made all the difference.
