FAIRHOPE — Over 40 colleges and universities with Christian affiliations will convene in Fairhope to engage high school students in opportunities for education and spiritual growth.

Sponsored by Ordo Amoris Classical School, a K-12 academy headquartered in Fairhope and established in 2023, the initiative aims to introduce students to institutions nationwide offering faith-based education. The event emphasizes not only academic advancement but also the nurturing of spiritual well-being.

Ordo Amoris Classical School Founder and Headmaster Amanda Miller said the idea to start a Christian college fair started when their oldest child graduated from high school and were committed to Christian education.

“We found that it was pretty difficult to find information on Christian colleges, especially in the Southeast,” Miller said. “We have a lot of loyalty to our state college teams and the athletics that go with them, and there just wasn't much out there for folks who are still looking for a smaller school with a biblical worldview. So, we saw a need and we thought, ‘well, maybe there's space for us to fill.’”

Miller added that the difference between regular university education and Christian-based education is the idea that God is in the center.

“Just acknowledging His presence in education is so very different than what a lot of modern educational institutions do anyway,” she said. "We're seeing God as the center of all things, but more than that we're in the pursuit of truth, so we want to find schools that will recognize the Lord as the giver of all truth.”

Zach Miller, a representative for Ordo Amoris Classical School, said this college fair is different than others and is more of a community event for all to attend.

“There’s a couple distinctives with this college fair,” Zach Miller said. “It is not a normal college fair. There are no state schools, and there will not be any community colleges. A second distinctive is we have been very intentional about who we invite to be represented as it is in terms of colleges. A third distinctive is we have learned that most college fairs are for one high school, and it is only for their students. We want as many students as possible to be introduced to solid schools that we are bringing, and we are open to all students from all schools.”

Some universities and colleges that will be attending include:
· Hillsdale College (MI)
· Oral Roberts University (OK)
· Trinity College of Florida (FL)

· Mississippi College (MS)
· Houston Christian University (TX)
· University of Mobile (AL)
· William Carey University (MS)
· Thomas Aquinas College (CA)
· Letourneau University (TX)
· Bethlehem College and Seminary (MN)
· Bob Jones University (SC)
· Cairn University (PA)
· Thales University (NC)
· University of Dallas (TX)

This event will be held Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairhope Civic Center, 161 N. Section St.