Canada Christian College

infobox University
name= Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies
established= 1967
city= 50 Gervais Drive, Toronto
state= Ontario
country= Canada flagicon|Canada
type= Bible college
president= Charles McVety
students =
faculty = 70
undergrad= Available
postgrad= Available
campus= urban
sports=
mascot=
address = 50 Gervais Drive, Toronto, Ontario
affiliations = ATS,
affiliation = Christian evangelical
website = http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/

Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies is an evangelical Christian college located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its president since 1993 has been Charles McVety, son of founder Elmer S. McVety. It claims to have had "over 3000" graduates since its founding. cite web |url=http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/general.html |title=General information about Canada Christian College |accessdate=2008-05-04]

Programs

Canada Christian College's mission is to educate and empower students with the skills, knowledge and spiritual foundation required to become effective ministers of the gospel and to achieve personal and business success. It offers Undergraduate, Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programs. It offers programs in Spanish; Korean Theological Studies; English as a Second Language (ESL) and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).cite web |url=http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/general.html |title=General information about Canada Christian College |accessdate=2008-05-04]

History

The College was founded in 1967 under the name Richmond College as a Christian arts college. In 1974, the institution launched a theology program with the name "Canada Christian College". Non-theological programs of the college were discontinued in 1981. ref|collegelink

In 1982, the Ontario Ministry of Education revoked the right of Canada Christian College to grant degrees. The College issued degrees under the authority of their Manitoba charter until 1999.Fact|date=May 2007 Charles McVety took over leadership of the college in 1993.cite news | url = http://www.walrusmagazine.ca/print/2006.10-politics-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/
first = Marci | last = McDonald | title = Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons | date = 2006-12-05 | accessdate=2006-12-05 | publisher = The Walrus] In 1998, the Ontario government ordered the College to cease and desist operations. McVety claimed that his response was to " [tell] them to take a long walk on a short pier and get lost." In 1999, Frank Klees introduced a successful motion in the Ontario legislature granting degree granting authority to the college.

Relations with the Jewish community

In 1991, the College was the subject of complaints by the Canadian Jewish Congress for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. Bernie Farber of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as messianic Jews. [McAteer, Michael, "Jews question status of college", "Toronto Star", November 30, 1991] Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College. [van Rijn, Nicolaas, "Jewish cemetery refuses educator's body --- Man rejected because he abandoned faith, rabbis' council rules", "Toronto Star", June 28, 1999]

In 1998, in response to concerns by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada Christian College closed its Jewish Studies Department and dropped classes aimed at training Christians to covert Jews. McVety told "Canadian Jewish News" at the time "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity."Lowes, Carol "Jews for Jesus campaign exposes growing tensions", "Christian Week", September 30, 2003] In 2003, McVety joined with B'nai Brith to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as Jews for Jesus. [Scrivener, Leslie, "Jewish leaders take on evangelical promoters; Vow opposition to Jews for Jesus 'Fighting them on street corners'", "Toronto Star", August 24, 2003] "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety. ["Jewish and Christian leaders launch countermissionary campaign", "Jerusalem Post", August 28, 2003]

tatus

The College is an accredited Private Degree granting institution listed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Several evangelical leaders have received degrees from the college including: John Hagee, T.D. Jakes, Jack Van Impe and Robert McGhee.

References

ee also

*List of evangelical seminaries and theological colleges

External links

* [http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/ Canada Christian College, official site]
* [http://www.cicic.ca/docs/postsec/canada_christian_college.pdf An Act respecting Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies]