All Nations Christian College

All Nations Christian College is a missions college, located in Hertfordshire and validated by the Open University.

Aims

Unlike some Bible colleges, the focus of ANCC is primarily missiological - that is, it is focused on training people for cross-cultural Christian mission service anywhere in the world, in Britain or overseas. The Bachelor's degree course offered by the college is in "Biblical and Intercultural Studies", representing the division in the syllabus between personal development, biblical, and intercultural elements of the course.

History

The history of the college has strong links with the history of the Buxton family who made their fortune by brewing and popularizing porter (beer), which theyconsidered to be a more nutritious and healthy alternative to the gin which was rotting the insides of the working classes of the early 19th century. This fortune eventually enabled Thomas Fowell Buxton to build Easneye as a residence for his family, under the direction of the architect Alfred Waterhouse.

During the war, Godfrey Buxton, the great-grandson of Thomas Fowell Buxton Sr, was invalided out as a result of a shell falling on his billet, killing his brother George. He suffered shrapnel damage to both legs, and walks with two sticks to this day.

Godfrey, unable to fulfill his lifelong dream of entering missionary service, famously asked his brothers - all, following the Buxton tradition, overseas missionaries - "What can God do with this bag of bones?" The answer was unanimous: if Godfrey could not go himself, he should stay behind to train those who could. He took over what was left of Harley College, dissipated due to the war, and, using the post-war Army billets and camps, founded the Missionary Training Colony in 1923, based in Upper Norwood in south-east London.

In 1962, the Missionary Training Colony would merge with another South London seminary, the All Nations Bible College (formerly the All Nations Missionary Union), to form the All Nations Missionary College.

In 1964, Godfrey Buxton, now a member of the college council, suggested that the college move to its present location, the Easneye estate.

All Nations in its various guises had always maintained cordial relations with two colleges for the training of missionary women: Mount Hermon Missionary Training College and Ridgelands Bible College. In 1971, a deputation from Mount Hermon and Ridgelands arrived at All Nations Missionary College to consider the possibilities of a merger. A vote was taken from the (male) student body: almost everyone stood against the idea, except for two students (one of whom was the Rev. Dr. Bob Hunt) who approved. The college faculty considered this but nevertheless considered that a merger was the will of God, and in 1971 the three schools merged to become All Nations Christian College.

Principals

* 1961-1981: David Morris. Meg Foote, principal of Mount Hermon, became vice-principal in 1971.
* 1982-1985: Ray Windsor
* 1985-1993: David Harley
* 1993-2001: Chris Wright
* 2001-2006: Joe Kapolyo
* 2006: Rev Dr Bob Hunt, Senior Tutor and Acting Principal

Since 2006, the college has restructured its governance. Instead of a principal, the overall governance role of the college is carried by its CEO, and other members of staff serve on the Leadership Team.

* 2006- : CEO: Mike Wall

Facilities

The college contains the largest missiological library in Europe, with over 50,000 volumes and 40,000 indexed articles. It subscribes to over 100 periodicals with back issues of a further 200.

The college's student accommodation consists of the original Buxton house (Main House) which contains the married couples' accommodation (the Wainery), plus the former stables and coach house, along with a custom-built accommodation block (Oak House, built in 1971, houses 70 students). The Academic Block was also built in 1971 and features two large lecture halls as well as tutors' offices. The lecture halls are fitted with induction loops for the hard of hearing.

Computing facilities are available in the coach house, with a network of virtual terminals; a wireless LAN is available throughout most of the campus. There is also a nursery for the 2-5s, a baby nursery, games room, and various leisure and sports facilities.

Courses

Undergraduate

The primary course is Biblical and Intercultural Studies. It is available as a Certificate, Diploma, or BA (Hons) Degree. While a college qualification is internationally recognised by missionary societies, students can choose to be accredited by the Open University.

Postgraduate

Contemporary Mission Studies is available as a PG Certificate, PG Diploma, or MA.

The college offers the opportunity for individual research and degree programmes of M.Phil and Doctorate.

Complementary

Short courses of ten weeks are available titled En Route, running alongside the regular courses. Additional courses during the breaks include Refresh for Mission for existing missionaries, the International Dance School for artists, and the Islamics Course.

External links

* [http://www.allnations.ac.uk/ All Nations Christian College]