Trinity International University: A Legacy of Evangelical Education

Trinity International University (TIU), headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois, stands as a private Christian university with a rich history rooted in evangelical traditions. TIU comprises Trinity College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), and Trinity Law School (located in Santa Ana, California). The university also has campuses in North Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. As the sole university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) in the United States, TIU has a wide reach, enrolling 1,242 students.

Origins and Early Development

The seeds of Trinity International University were sown in 1897 when the Swedish Evangelical Free Church initiated a ten-week Bible course in the basement of a Chicago church. This humble beginning soon evolved into the Bible Institute of the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of America. Recognizing the need for pastoral training, the Swedish Bible Institute of Chicago aimed to enhance preaching skills through courses in biblical studies, including hermeneutics and exegesis. The first class consisted of 22 students.

In 1910, the Norwegian-Danish Free Church established the Norwegian-Danish Bible Institute and Academy, first in Rushford, Minnesota, and later in Minneapolis under the name Trinity Seminary and Bible Institute.

Mergers and Expansion

The Swedish and Norwegian-Danish schools merged to form Trinity Seminary and Bible College. In 1961, the institution moved to a new campus in Bannockburn, Illinois, and was renamed Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) and Trinity College a year later. The school experienced substantial growth, increasing from 51 students in 1961 to 1,400 in 1990.

In 1995, TEDS became part of Trinity International University, along with Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois, and Trinity College in Miami (formerly Miami Christian College, obtained through a merger).

Read also: Decoding Trinity GPA Requirements

Key Figures and Influences

Several individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping Trinity International University. Kenneth Kantzer, a leading architect of the new evangelical movement, guided theologically conservative Christians away from fundamentalism’s cultural and intellectual isolation. His "Kantzer vision" propelled Trinity into becoming one of the largest seminaries in America. Carl F.H. Henry, another influential figure, significantly impacted Trinity’s mission, statement of faith, and curriculum. Both Kantzer and Henry are considered among the most important evangelicals of the 20th century.

Kenneth Kantzer's recruiting efforts attracted notable evangelical scholars to Trinity, including Robert Culver (Systematic Theology), John Warwick Montgomery (Church history), Walter Kaiser (Old Testament), Richard Troup (Christian Education), Gleason Archer Jr. (Old Testament), and David Hasselgrave (Missions).

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS)

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is the divinity school of Trinity International University. TEDS is one of the largest seminaries in the world, enrolling over 1,200 graduate students in various professional and academic programs, including over 150 in its Ph.D. programs. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is the most popular program, preparing pastors, educators, and missionaries for diverse ministries. TEDS also offers Master of Arts programs in mental health counseling, theological studies, the New Testament, the Old Testament, and other disciplines, as well as ThM and DMin degrees.

TEDS is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

Commitment to Orthodoxy

Trinity was founded on theologically conservative truths, most importantly, a "nonnegotiable commitment to the truthfulness of Scripture." Trinity held and still holds that the word of God is not only true, it is inerrant. The school also affirms the five solas of the Reformation: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, for the glory of God alone.

Centers and Lectures

Trinity honors the contributions of its major figures through various centers, lectures, and honoraria. The Carl F. H. Henry Center, named after the longtime TEDS faculty member and theologian, continues his vision of theological development. The Paul Hiebert Center for World Christianity and Global Theology, named after missions faculty member Paul Hiebert, fosters collaboration between missionary personnel, academics, and laypeople to engage in research and fieldwork. Trinity also hosts the Kenneth Kantzer Lectures.

Recent Developments and Transitions

Recent years have presented challenges, including declining enrollment and a perceived diminished connection to the EFCA. In response, Trinity aims to produce biblically faithful, theologically driven, and culturally aware Christian leaders. The university seeks to renew its relationship with the EFCA, fostering a closer ethos alignment. Trinity shares the EFCA's statement of faith, maintaining a strong theological core.

On March 5, 2024, Trinity announced the resignation of its president, Nicholas Perrin, who was replaced by Kevin Kompelien, the former president of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). On July 1, 2025, David W. Pao became Interim President.

Trinity Graduate School closed in 2024, along with the academic programs at TIU-Florida. Trinity College Online closed in May 2025.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Trinity International University is exempt from the need to be approved to operate in Illinois by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Its educational programs for K-12 teachers are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Read also: Affording Trinity

TIU's law school, located in Santa Ana, California, is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California (CALBAR).

Athletics

Trinity International competed in nine intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports included baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball.

Notable Faculty

Trinity International University has been home to many outstanding faculty members, including:

Barry J.
D. A. Carson
Paul Copan
John D.
Paul D.
Murray J.
James K.
S. Lewis Johnson Jr.
Douglas J.
Harold A. Netland
Grant R.
Clark H.
Kevin J.
Willem A.
John D.
Keith E.
Robert W.
John F.
W. Walter C.
Douglas J.
Stanley E.
Cecil R.
John D.

tags: #trinity #evangelical #university #history