Columbia Bible College: A History of Inter-Mennonite Education and Growth
Columbia Bible College (CBC) is an evangelical Mennonite institution located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Its history is rooted in the merger of two distinct Mennonite traditions and a shared commitment to biblical education. CBC is currently affiliated with two regional Mennonite conferences, the British Columbia Mennonite Brethren and the Mennonite Church British Columbia. The college stands as a testament to inter-Mennonite cooperation and a dedication to providing Christ-centered education.
Origins and Early Development (1936-1970)
The story of Columbia Bible College begins with the establishment of two separate Bible schools, each serving different Mennonite denominations in British Columbia.
Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (MBBI)
In 1936, the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church initiated an evening Bible training program, led by Cornelius C. Peters. This marked the beginning of what would become the Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (MBBI), originally called the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Bible School. The Abbotsford Bible School, as it was also known, operated intermittently for several years, with several local teachers contributing to its instruction. Frank C. Thiessen served as principal during this early period.
In 1943, the school acquired a more suitable building, relocated to the South Abbotsford church site, and was renamed Bethel Bible School. Support for Bethel grew as three Mennonite Brethren churches - South Abbotsford, Clearbrook, and Matsqui - joined forces, supporting a student body of 34 that year. J. F. Redekop took the helm as principal in 1944 and served for nine years. Under his leadership, the school expanded its curriculum, introducing a four-year course of studies, further enhanced by a "post-graduate" fifth-year program. Additional support came from East Aldergrove, McCallum Road, and Arnold M.B. congregations.
As the school expanded, it was renamed the Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute. In 1955, the Bible School Society, representing the six supporting churches, acquired land in Clearbrook and constructed what is now the old wing of the classroom building. The British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches assumed responsibility for the operation of MBBI in 1960. By 1961-62, enrollment reached a record high of 96 students. To accommodate the growing student body, the first dormitory was built on campus in 1962, followed by Redekop Hall in 1966 and Centennial Hall in 1967.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
Bethel Bible Institute (BBI)
The Conference of Mennonites established Bethel Bible Institute (BBI) to address the need for Bible training within their local and provincial churches. In 1939, Rev. N. W. Bahnman announced the opening of a Bible school in Coghlan (now Aldergrove) on the premises of the Bethel Mennonite Church. A society was formed to operate the school from 1941 to 1944, after which the Conference of Mennonites in BC assumed full responsibility for the institute.
The school purchased a four-acre tract of land in Abbotsford, adjacent to the West Abbotsford Mennonite Church. A dormitory for women was built in 1947, followed by the construction of an administration building. Enrollment increased to 61 students in 1951-52, leading to the construction of a dormitory for men. The women's dormitory was renovated in 1963.
Challenges and the Path to Amalgamation
By the 1960s, both MBBI and BBI faced challenges. Rising operating costs, aging facilities, declining enrollments, and student demands for a more relevant and satisfying learning experience put immense pressure on these institutions. A special Bethel Bible Institute Study Conference was held in May 1967 to discuss the school's future.
After extensive discussions and prayerful consideration, the Conference of Mennonites decided to close Bethel and merge with MBBI in nearby Clearbrook. This decision was made after dialogue with the Mennonite Brethren Conference of B.C. in 1968-70.
The Merger and Growth of Columbia Bible Institute (1970-1987)
A significant turning point occurred in 1970 when the Mennonite Brethren Conference of B.C. and the Conference of Mennonites in B.C. entered into a five-year working agreement to operate a single Bible school. MBBI merged with Bethel Bible Institute, resulting in a new institution called Columbia Bible Institute (CBI).
Read also: Opportunities at Columbia University
To accommodate the combined student body of 189, a new dining room/student lounge complex was constructed. The decade of the seventies was one of growth and expansion for Columbia Bible Institute. To accommodate a record enrollment of 233 students in 1972-73, four extra housing units (mobiles) were added.
In 1975-76, a third year was added to the curriculum, and a new record enrollment of 266 was reached. A three-story, apartment-style dormitory was constructed in 1976. Two years later, the apartment complex was sold, and five acres of land adjacent to the existing campus were purchased for use as an athletics field and for possible campus development.
Peter R. Toews served as the first president of CBI for eight years, guiding the partnership through its early successes. Enrollment increased notably, reaching a record of 266 students in 1973.
Towards College Status and Full Partnership (1982-Present)
By the end of the 1970s, it became evident that the two conferences could work together effectively. In 1982, this co-operative effort was expanded into a covenant whereby the Mennonite Brethren invited the Conference of Mennonites to unite in the ownership and development of CBI, not merely its operation and governance. At the historic June 11, 1982 joint convention, the Conference of Mennonites responded to the Mennonite Brethren invitation by affirming a continuing covenant of togetherness in working in God’s kingdom.
During the presidency of Roy Just, the first fully-fledged inter-Mennonite Bible institute in North America was established. Further institutional growth and maturity followed, leading to the elevation of the school to college status. This significant change necessitated internal upgrades, such as the formal application for accreditation with the American Association of Bible Colleges. In the fall of 1984, the CBI Society approved a third-year program and the granting of a Bachelor of Religious Education degree.
Read also: Paying for Columbia
In 1988, Columbia Hall, a three-story residence, was completed. An office, administration, and library complex was constructed in 1992.
In 1987, under the presidency of Walter Unger, the school officially became Columbia Bible College. Legal approval for college status was granted with the passing of the Columbia Bible College Act in the B.C. Legislature on June 26, 1987. In the early 1990s, CBC achieved full accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges). The college's successes extended to government certification for the Early Childhood Education Program and the establishment of an Outdoor Leadership major. By the end of the decade, CBC offered baccalaureate degrees in eight majors, with nearly 400 students enrolled. Surveys showed high student satisfaction, and approximately 50% of graduates found employment in fields related to their major at CBC.
An Athletics Centre was built in 2001, home to the "Bearcats." It features two full-size courts and seating for 1200. The Student Centre was expanded in 2004, including a new kitchen and dining room, several student lounges, a career and health/wellness center, student life offices, and a recreation room. A new dormitory was completed at the end of 2011, replacing the dormitories dismantled in 2004 to allow for the expansion of the Student Centre. After several years of renting a nearby apartment building, male residence students returned to campus when Redekop Hall was opened in 2011.
Academics and Programs
Columbia Bible College offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for various ministry and professional roles. Integrated learning that connects theory and practice is central to all Columbia programs. Columbia thus requires all degree students to complete an internship in their third or fourth year.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Biblical Studies is designed to prepare students for a career in vocational ministry. Many graduates from this program choose to continue on to graduate programs at Christian universities and seminaries, while others enter into ministry roles within the church and parachurch organizations. Biblical Studies degree students are required to select a minor that suits their abilities and interests and anticipated career path. This is a way for students to add value to their education and to provide practical focus within their degree. Students will graduate with a degree in Biblical Studies and a minor in another area of study such as Church Ministry, Psychology, Worship Arts, Youth Work, or Leadership and Business. Biblical Studies internships are typically shaped with the students’ career path, previous experiences, and minor in mind. Internships can take place in a variety of contexts such as churches, parachurch organizations, Christian schools, and summer camps. The internship program is designed to provide a rich learning experience with practical skill development.
Every two years, Columbia students are given the opportunity to spend three weeks in Israel and Jordan, experiencing and learning first-hand about the land, culture, history, and archaeology of the Bible. Columbia Students join other students from around the world for this 4-credit course which is offered through Jerusalem University College. This is an unforgettable learning experience that brings the Bible to life in a way that few others can match. This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
Athletics
Columbia Bible College Athletics is known by their team name The Columbia Bearcats. The school has both men's and women's Volleyball and Basketball which compete in the Pacific Western Athletic Association. In 2011 the Bearcats Men's volleyball team won their first CCAA national championship.
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