Emmanuel Bible College is an

interdenominational Interdenominationalism is an evangelical Protestant movement of cooperation among various Christian denominations. History The movement has its origins in the founding of the London Missionary Society, a missionary society, in 1795 by variou ...

Evangelical Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that affirms the centrality of being " born again", in which an individual expe ...

Christian

Bible college A Bible college, sometimes referred to as a Bible institute or theological institute, is an evangelical Christian or Restoration Movement Christian institution of higher education which prepares students for Christian ministry with theological ed ...

located in

Kitchener, Ontario ) , image_flag = Flag of Kitchener, Ontario.svg , image_seal = Seal of Kitchener, Canada.svg , image_shield=Coat of arms of Kitchener, Canada.svg , image_blank_emblem = Logo of Kitchener, Ontario.svg , blank_emblem_type = ...

, Canada.

History

In response to a need for trained Christian leaders, the college was established in 1940 as a Bible school in Stouffville, Ontario by Ward M Shantz. It then shortly relocated to Gormley, Ontario. In 1943 the school was moved to downtown Kitchener, Ontario (now site of Centre In The Square on Ahrens near Queen Street) and then, in 1964, to the current location at 100 Fergus Avenue in Kitchener. In 1982 the college received its accreditation by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, following the passing of a provincial Act giving it the right to grant degrees.

Mission

Emmanuel exists to provide training in Christian discipleship and ministry to persons of all ages through both degree programs and nonformal training that includes online courses and certificates and regularly offered workshops under the name "Refresh". The college's mission statement is: "Through academic training and hands on ministry and service, Emmanuel prepares Christ followers who are committed to making a difference in their world."

Campus

The campus is currently undergoing changes, and consists of three main buildings. * J.H. Sherk Education Centre - named for Rev. J. Harold Sherk, a member of the college's original faculty * Edna Pridham Memorial Library - named for the college's first missionary, who died while serving in Nigeria * Warder Hall - named for Mrs. Maude Warder, a member of the college's original staff Originally held in the basements of the Stouffville and Gormley Mennonite Brethren in Christ Churches, Emmanuel purchased a house on Ahrens St. in Kitchener, Ontario in 1943. The college met on Ahrens St. until 1964, when it moved to its location on Fergus Ave. with a newly constructed administration building. The Faith Missionary Church building was also sold to Emmanuel around this time. Before changes to the campus began in 2018, the college also owned and used several other buildings on its Fergus Ave. property. * Ward M. Shantz Chapel - named for the founding President of the college * Ellis A. Lageer Administration Building - named for the college's fourth President * Emmanuel Campus Centre - originally named Edgewood Hall * Lehman Hall - named for an original member of the college's faculty * Wideman Hall - named for the college's second President

Programs Offered

Emmanuel is a Bible College with the distinction of offering both Degree and Diploma programs focusing on a variety of faith and ministry disciplines. These programs include a four-year Bachelor of Theology program (BTh) as well as a three-year Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE). These programs offer a variety of major choices, as well as double-major options. As well, the school offers a variety of short-term diploma and certificates, such as the one year MountainTop program and a Professional Studies Certificate in Addictions Counselling. The ministry training programs are a blend of: Bible and Theology courses (a major); General Studies; Professional courses; Field Education, Internships, and Co-ops. Distance education Distance Education courses are available to anyone interested in pursuing educational opportunities at Emmanuel. For some students, DE provides a chance to begin a Bible college education either as an occasional student or to enter a program. For others, DE courses supplement the in-class offerings, providing flexibility in scheduling. Students in any certificate, diploma or degree program at Emmanuel may take up to half of their courses by DE.

Partnerships

EBC is affiliated with the

Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada The Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada (EMCC) is a Canadian Christian denomination with historical roots from plants in the pioneer settlement of Ontario and the Canadian West, earlier European migration to the eastern seaboard of the US, an ...

, the

Congregational Christian Churches in Canada The Congregational Christian Churches in Canada (or 4Cs) is an evangelical Protestant Christian denomination, headquartered in Simcoe, Ontario. It is a member of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship. Organization and leadership The nam ...

, the Christian & Missionary Alliance, the Be In Christ Church of Canada, the

Mennonite Brethren Church The Mennonite Brethren Church is an evangelical Mennonite Anabaptist movement with congregations. History The conference was established among Plautdietsch-speaking Russian Mennonites in 1860. During the 1850s, some Mennonites were influenc ...

, the United Brethren Churches in Canada, and the

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC; french: Alliance évangélique du Canada) is a national evangelical alliance, member of the World Evangelical Alliance. Its affiliates comprise 43 evangelical Christian denominations, 66 Christian org ...

. The college is an accredited member with the Commission on Accreditation of the ABHE. ABHE is recognized by the American Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As well, the college is chartered by the Province of Ontario in the 2018 Emmanuel Bible College Act, which entitles EBC to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.), and Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.)

References

External links

Emmanuel Bible CollegeEmmanuel Bible College Student Newspaper