Prairie Bible Institute Investigates Second College

April 28, 2005

The Bible College movement in North America is in the midst of intensive evaluation and change. Globalization has dramatically influenced the marketplace and students expect a much greater return for their education dollar. As a result, Bible Colleges are struggling to determine a stable future and are exploring various ways to increase the relevancy of their programs.  In response to the changes a number of Bible colleges are turning towards a university college model and are actively involved in a transition to Christian Liberal Arts.

Prairie Bible Institute has carefully weighed all the options in light of the Institute’s mission and core values and has determined that joining the current movement towards a university college model does not fit the heritage or mission of the school. “Our mission is to enable the Body of Christ to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ and we believe the church still has a need for Biblical competency” says Prairie president Dr. Jon Ohlhauser. “We will continue Bible College education but will augment this training with a new venture.” 

Following an intensive evaluation and strategic planning process, the Board of Directors for Prairie Bible Institute has approved the conceptual mapping of a creative new opportunity, an area of Christian education virtually untouched in North America. In September 2006 Prairie Bible Institute is anticipating the opening of the first college in Canada deliberately created to offer vocational training in conjunction with Christian education. The new college at Prairie will be the only one of its kind in North America dedicated to Christian post-secondary vocational programming. The new vocational programming will be offered by a second college operating under the banner of Prairie Bible Institute which will retain Prairie Bible College as its church ministry preparation college.

The new college at Prairie will begin by offering a variety of programs in the area of health care and early childhood care. The initial program areas have been chosen due to the convergence of student interest, international and North American employment and placement opportunities. The new college will train students for a profession but will also enable them to assume a role in the international mission of the church. It is anticipated that the programs will be launched in cooperation with established programs from other reputable colleges in Alberta. Upon completion of a vocational program, students will earn a two-year diploma plus a full-year certificate in Bible. Combined, the two-year diploma and the certificate in Bible will allow a student to graduate with a 2-year Associate of Arts degree.  Prairie believes that students and parents will be attracted to the value of receiving 3 years worth of education in 2 years – all for the price of 2 years.