ACTS . . . Member Seminaries

The acronym "ACTS" stands for Associated Canadian Theological Schools.

This unique consortium, consisting of five seminaries, represent the Graduate School of Theological Studies of Trinity Western University. Providing the best of graduate level education, in the context of a multi-denominational mentoring training environment, each seminary commits to students to "come together, go further."

Canadian Baptist Seminary     (CBS website)

Canadian Pentecostal Seminary   (CPS website)

Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary  (MBBS website)

Northwest Baptist Seminary   (NBS website)

Trinity Western Seminary    (Evangelical Free Church of Canada TWS webpage)

The ACTS Consortium

As a whole, the ACTS consortium constitutes the Graduate School of Theological Studies of Trinity Western University. Degrees in the consortium are offered "conjointly", that is, by the University and the participating seminary together. In this way ACTS students receive the best of University education and professional seminary training. TWU maintains membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and ACTS maintains membership in the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

All partners agree on fundamental biblical principles. Each seminary appoints faculty members who provide the common core courses, as well as courses on denominational history, theology and identity. All courses are accessible to students enrolled in any of the partnering seminaries.

When students apply to ACTS Seminaries they enter through one of the five seminaries. This is simply done by checking off the seminary of choice on the application form. If a student has no preference this can be indicated on the application form by checking off the "no preference" box and the student will be assigned to the seminary next on the round robin rotation. Once inside, each student will experience common classes with other students regardless of their seminary of record. The seminaries share professors and this means students will be exposed to a larger spectrum of thought within the evangelical tradition. In some instances a specific seminary will require one or more denominationally distinctive courses for students seeking ministry within their denomination. These courses typically will fit into the program of study chosen by the student. Upon completion students graduate conjointly from their seminary of record and from Trinity Western University. Their transcripts, in all cases, are issued by Trinity Western University.  

History of the Consortium

In 1985, representatives from four denominations including The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada, The Associated Gospel Churches of Canada, The Evangelical Free Church of Canada, and The Baptist General Conference of Canada met to discuss the possibility of cooperation in post-secondary education, including the preparation of pastors, church planters and missionaries for the challenges of the 21st century. Through prayer, planning, and much consideration, a new vision developed to work together in the Believers' Church tradition to reach Canada and the world with the Gospel. The early, historic decisions are now a reality. The Baptist General Conference established Canadian Baptist Seminary and the Evangelical Free Church along with TWU established Trinity Western Seminary. These two, along with Northwest Baptist Seminary (established in 1976 by The Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (B.C./Alta.) began work together in a consortium as part of Trinity Western University.

In the summer of 1999 Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (Mennonite Brethren Conference), joined the ACTS Consortium. In 1996 Canadian Pentecostal Seminary West (CPS) became affiliated with Trinity Western University. Since that time ACTS has worked with CPS to provide ministry leadership training for their emerging leaders. Two years ago CPS applied for membership in the consortium.  A very careful process of review and evaluation has led the five current members to affirm that CPS does support fully the seven Believers' Church principles and meets the requirements for membership. At the ACTS Joint Administration Committee meeting February 19, 2004 a motion was passed accepting CPS as a member of the consortium.

All of the seminaries are based in the Fosmark Centre on the TWU campus. The Consortium's goals are to strengthen each denomination's distinctives and mission; to provide the finest in training designed to accelerate evangelism and the planting of New Testament churches at home and abroad; and to witness to our essential oneness of purpose in Jesus Christ our Lord.