Summit Pacific College (formerly Western Pentecostal Bible College) is an
undergraduate
Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and before postgraduate education. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, in the United States, an entry-le ...
and
postgraduate
Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate ( bachelor's) degree.
The organization and ...
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 ...
and
seminary
A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy ...
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
. It is affiliated with
Trinity Western University
, mottoeng = A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
, established = Trinity Junior College (1962–1972), Trinity Western College (1972–1985), Trinity Western University (1986–present)
, type = Privat ...
Association for Biblical Higher Education
The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), formerly The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) is an evangelical Christian organization of bible colleges in the United States and Canada. It is a member of the International C ...
and is the theological college of the BC & Yukon District of the
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) (french: Les Assemblées de la Pentecôte du Canada) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination and the largest evangelical church in Canada.North Vancouver (city). In 1962 British Columbia Bible Institute was renamed Western Pentecostal Bible College. A program to add buildings and facilities saw a steady upgrading of the original plant. Nevertheless, it became evident that future requirements called for larger accommodations outside of urban restrictions. As early as 1966 there was a preliminary land purchase, but it was not until 1971 that the present site was acquired.
New campus construction began in 1973, and the college took occupation in the fall of 1974. The three original buildings (the Eric A. Hornby Memorial Academic Building, the William J. Friesen Residence, and the Ernie W. Robinson Dormitory) were augmented by the Vernon Morrison Residence in 1977 and the P.S. Jones Memorial Auditorium in 1979.
In 1983, the governing bodies of the college made public the plans for new buildings on campus. This new project was titled the “Nehemiah Project”. The new proposed buildings were The Mary Ellen Anderson Memorial Chapel (1986), The Lorne Philip Hudson Memorial Library (1988), and a proposed new dormitory. It is stated that the need for these new buildings was not to enlarge the college but to complete the campus. Unfortunately, not enough money was raised for a new dormitory and the college would not see their new dormitory until 2001.
In 1999, a proposal was put forward for a new residence building on campus. The existing Ernie W. Robinson Dormitory (1974) was only capable of housing 100 students while the proposed new building would house 140 students. The L. T. Holdcroft Residence was completed in 2001 and is still in use today.
In 2004, The Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Memorial Auditorium (2004) was built and replaced the P.S. Jones Memorial Auditorium (1979). The P.S. Jones Memorial Auditorium was eventually sold to Christian Life Community Church and would be used as their church building.
In 2010, the Eric A. Hornby Memorial Academic Building saw a significant revitalization as well as a new academic wing called the Revival and Learning Centre.
During the last decade all of the college buildings have been carefully maintained for safety and optimum learning conditions.
Programs and majors
Summit Pacific College offers undergraduate degree programs in Biblical Theology,
Pastoral Theology
Pastoral theology is the branch of practical theology concerned with the application of the study of religion in the context of regular church ministry. This approach to theology seeks to give practical expression to theology. Normally viewed as a ...
, Child and Family Leadership, Music Leadership, Youth Leadership, Non-Profit Global Leadership, and Counselling Foundations. Summit also offers one and two-year concentrated certificates as well as in these areas. SPC is accredited by the ABHE and chartered by the government of British Columbia. Additionally, Summit Pacific College is affiliated with Trinity Western University of Langley, British Columbia. Summit Pacific College offers its graduates Certificates, Diplomas and bachelor's degrees. The bachelor's degrees are; Bachelor of Arts In Religion and Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.).
A popular program at Summit Pacific College is the one-year Certificate program, OMEGA. The OMEGA program has an academic and service emphasis for 2 semesters and ends with a 3 week overseas mission trip in May. OMEGA has a strong focus on the Biblical idea of personal discipleship, emphasized by mentoring with professors, academic study and Christian ministry outreach with small group involvement.
Summit Pacific College recently added graduate-level studies with the introduction of School of Graduate Studies. Being strongly committed to the future development of their curriculum, The School of Graduate Studies currently offers courses from five core areas related to Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada credentials. These areas of study are Hermeneutics, Homiletics, Pentecostal Theology/Distinctives, Pentecostal History, and Pastoral Theology. In 2022 the college launched a Master of Arts degree in Theology and Spiritual Leadership and a Master of Arts degree in Youth Ministry. Completion of five certificate courses may be transferred into the MA degrees. The Dean of Graduate Studies is Dr. Riku P. Tuppurainen.
Campus and Facilities
The Eric A. Hornby Memorial Academic Building
This building houses several campus facilities: the majority of the college's administrative and faculty offices, including the President, Dean of Education, Dean of Students, Business Administrator, Omega Global, and Enrolment Services; seven classrooms; the college bookstore; and a student lounge.
In the spring of 2010, the college completed a building program that added the Revival and Learning Centre to the newly renovated Academic Building providing new classrooms and faculty offices.
The L. T. Holdcroft Residence
Constructed in 2001, this four-story building can house 140 students (70 double rooms) spread over three floors. Each room has two single beds, built-in desks, chairs, and a
walk-in closet
A walk-in closet (North American) or walk-in wardrobe ( UK) or dressing room is typically a large closet, wardrobe or room that is primarily intended for storing clothes, footwear etc., and being used as a changing room. As the name suggests, wa ...
. A full washroom is shared between two rooms. These three floors also have designated prayer rooms, laundry rooms with coin-operated washers and dryers, and lounges equipped with a gas fireplace. The 3rd and 4th-floor lounges have full kitchen facilities (i.e., stove, fridge and microwave). The lower-level houses the offices of the Campus Pastors, a board room and a 160-seat cafeteria which opens onto a large covered patio with outdoor seating. A TV room with couches and a beanbag chair, a games room equipped with ping pong, pool, and air hockey tables. Storage rooms for long-term storage over the summer and during the school year are also located on this level.
The Lorne Philip Hudson Memorial Library
Constructed in 1988, the library houses a collection that now totals more than 100,000 items, including books, CDs, newspapers, magazines journals, musical scores and DVDs. The library also has an extensive archival collection of items pertaining to the college and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The library includes a digital database of its collection, with remote access, and several public access computers. The Library hosts its own website (www.summitpacific.net), including access to the library database and to electronic books, journals, newsletters, audio recordings, videos and reference websites. The library exterior was completely refurbished in 2013 along with extensive renovations to the interior.
The Mary Ellen Anderson Memorial Chapel
Constructed in 1986, the 350-seat chapel features a stained glass window. The chapel contains storage rooms adjacent to the platform and a sound room. The basement houses faculty offices, a classroom seating forty, a music lab, a recording studio and seven music practice rooms. The chapel was completely refurbished in 2010.
The William J. Friesen Residence
This four-suite apartment contains three three-bedroom apartments, one two-bedroom apartment and a common laundry room. Depending on individual needs either married or single students may be housed in the suites.
The Vernon R. Morrison Residence
This sixteen-unit apartment contains nine one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom suites. Although smaller than the standard size, the second bedroom in the two-bedroom suite is adequate as a child's room or as a study. The building also has a lounge, a laundry room and individual storage lockers. Depending on individual needs, either married or single students may be housed in the suites.
The Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Memorial Gymnasium
This building doubles as a college size gymnasium with room for spectators and an auditorium seating up to 600 people. College banquets are held in the gym at Christmas and Graduation. It also houses an exercise/weight room and washroom/shower facilities. Significant upgrades were completed in 2013.
During major social events, the gymnasium is often converted into an auditorium and is used for graduation reception dinners, Christmas functions, and the like. The building is named after the former British Columbia Minister of Highways,
Phil Gaglardi
Philip Arthur Gaglardi (January 13, 1913 – September 23, 1995), sometimes known as Flying Phil, was a politician in the Canadian province of British Columbia. He is best known for his service as Minister of Highways in the BC government fr ...
and his wife.
Student life
Campus life is a large part of Summit Pacific College's 'experience' and all students are required to be in dormitories, with some exceptions, notably in the case of off-campus family and married students. Summit Pacific College has three housing facilities; The L.T. Holdcroft building is the largest and newest building, while the Morrison building is an older building, holding married students and overflow students from the L.T. Holdcroft. The third housing building mentioned is the Friesen building, a fourplex for married couples and their families. Both professors and students occupy the Friesen and Morrison buildings.
Student Leadership
Summit Pacific College employs a Residence Leadership authority structure, where selected students take on the responsibilities of a Resident Supervisor or Resident Assistant. In the authority structure, the Assistants answer to the Supervisor, who is responsible to answer to the Dean of Students. In the 2006/07 school year, there were two Supervisors (one male, one female) and ten Assistants (five female, five male). The L.T. Holdcroft building has six wings, three of which house female students, and three of which house male students. Two Resident Leaders live in each wing and are responsible for encouraging social activities in each wing, often through the use of Wing Events.
In addition to the Residence Leadership, the Student Council is also a working force in student life and is given a large scope regarding their duties and responsibilities. There is a Student Body President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, in addition to the positions of Sports Coordinator, Missions Coordinator, Commuter Students Coordinator, Married Students Coordinator - these are all positions held by students attending the college.
Meals
There is a cafeteria in the L.T. Holdcroft building, and all on-campus students are required to participate in a meal plan through this cafeteria. Each day has set meals and these meals are presented in a buffet style. The cafeteria does cater to special needs such as food allergies, dietary concerns, and the like. The option of eating off-campus also exists, but transportation not provided by the College is required. The bookstore in the Academic building sells some snacks in addition to their normal wares.
People
Presidents
* Ernie W. Robinson, 1941–1956
* Tom Johnstone, 1956–1958
* Vernon R. Morrison, 1959–1968
* Dr. L. Thomas Holdcroft, 1968–1987
* Dr. James G. Richards, 1987–2006
* Dr. Dave L. Demchuk, 2006–present
Spirituality
Summit Pacific College is a Christian college/seminary, training pastors, ministers, administrators and other workers for full-time ministry, church vocation or the not-for-profit sector. The College is strictly defined as Christian
Protestant
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century against what its followers perceived to b ...
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 ...
Pentecostal
Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement
in belief, structure and theology. Since the College is Pentecostal, the work of the Holy Spirit is stressed as a personal way in which God works to use and disciple the individual.