Gateway College of Evangelism is a Bible college in Florissant, Missouri, near St. Louis. It is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International. It is currently not accredited, but offers 2-year and 4-year degrees.
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On May 5, 1966, Harry W. Branding, Superintendent of the Missouri District of the United Pentecostal Church International, appointed a committee to explore the possibility of a Bible school. This committee consisted of Guy E. Roam, W.C. Parkey, W.I. Black, Roy E. Gerald and Oliver Spencer. On July 13, 1966, this committee recommended to the Missouri District that a college be started and the Missouri District passed a resolution creating the college.
The General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church International endorsed the college on October 24, 1966, in New Orleans, Louisiana. In January 1967, bylaws and guidelines for the school were chosen and the name "Gateway College of Evangelism" was accepted by the Missouri District. W.C. Parkey was chosen as the first president and a site for the school was purchased at 3155 Charbonnier Road near Florissant, Missouri. Gateway College of Evangelism was formally opened on September 13, 1968.
On September 8, 1969, after having raised money for the college and having made final provision for the housing of the students, Harry Branding went home to be with the Lord. His place as chairman of the board of directors was taken by Guy E. Roam. In 1971, a new campus was purchased at 700 Howdershell Road in Florissant. These facilities had formerly been the St. Stanislaus Seminary, the oldest Jesuit college campus west of the Mississippi River.
True to its purpose of being a college of evangelism, Gateway College continues to reach out to the apostolic fellowship with expanded programs of service and to the lost with trained workers who carry the whole gospel to the whole world.
Gateway was recently acquired by Urshan Graduate School of Theology and will soon become Urshan College in hopes of becoming an accredited Christian College. There will be degrees in Organizational Leadership, Christian Ministries, and General Studies. More degrees will be added later. There will also be concentrations within each major.
Gateway College currently offers an Associate's Degree in Biblical and General Studies and a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry with four emphasis options. Starting in Fall 2008, Gateway College began offering online classes through the Consortium of Online Christian Colleges in addition to their on-campus instruction.[2]
Gateway is not accredited. However, the administrators of the college are currently attempting to gain accreditation and have hired an advisor to assist with the process.[3]
Gateway College Chorale is a group of approximately 50 singers and musicians from all over North America under the direction of Keith Pace. The Chorales purpose is not simply to perform, but to bring hope and the Gospel message through the ministry of music. Each year, the chorale travels singing and ministering in churches around the Midwest during the school year. In addition, the Chorale members participate in a two-week summer tour across North America.
In the last 20 years, Gateway has produced several projects featuring the choir, chorale, and ensemble United, including seven live recordings. In 2006 Gateway recorded 'Celebrate Live' in Mt. Vernon Illinois. The recording included an CD/DVD set of the concert. These projects are a compilation of songs written by various gospel artists. Most recent projects have many original songs which were written by Gateway students.
The Gateway Choir is a vocal group open to all students of the college. Comprising over 100 students, the choir is an extremely diverse group that continuously strives for one goal: to minister to others through music. Each year the choir performs at various events and church services, ministering through many types of gospel and contemporary music styles.
United, Gateway Colleges ensemble, is dedicated to ministering through song. Along with talented musicians, this select group of singers visits both local and distant churches throughout the year. Additionally, United is featured on the Gateway music project each year and plays a central role in ministry during summer chorale tours.[4]
Student Dress Code
Women: "Cutting, trimming or dyeing of the hair is not permitted. No make-up is to be worn at any time. Skirt length must cover the knees when sitting or standing." [5]
Men: "Hair should be kept cut short enough to stay off the ears and shirt collars. On-campus students may not wear beards or mustaches. Sideburns should be kept trimmed to the bottom of the ear or shorter." [6]
Student Activites
Dancing:
"The traditional position of United Pentecostal Church International on dancing is reflected by College policy. College organizations may not sponsor dances on or off campus." [7]
Dating:
"If you plan to have a date, you must first have the permission of the dean of students. Date Request Forms are available in the mail area and should be turned in to the dean of students at least 24 hours before the time of the date. Freshmen and sophomore students who are under 21 years of age must date with another couple. All others must have permission to date as a single couple. Activities for the date must be clearly stated on the Date Request Form and be approved by the dean of students."[8]
Televisions:
"Televisions are not permitted in the Residence halls or dorm rooms at any time."[9]
Quote from student handbook citing a quotation from the UPCI Ministerial Manual:
"We wholeheartedly disapprove of our people indulging in any activities which are not conducive to good Christianity and godly living, such as theaters, dances, mixed bathing, women cutting their hair, make-up, any apparel that immodestly exposes the body, all worldly sports and amusements, and unwholesome radio programs and music. Furthermore because of the display of all these evils on television, we disapprove of any of our people having television sets in their homes. We admonish all of our people to refrain from any of these practices in the interest of spiritual progress and the soon coming of the Lord for His church."[10]
Gateway is located in the northwestern part of the Saint Louis metropolitan area. The college can be reached by turning off of I-270 at McDonnell Boulevard and going north on McDonnell Boulevard, which becomes Howdershell Road. The college is situated on the right, approximately two and one-half miles north of I-270.
Gateway College sits in the strategic hub of the Midwest. The historic city of Saint Louis, long known as the "Gateway to the West", offers an authentic source of inspiration and a climate of achievement that provides a proper setting for the goals of Gateway College.
In addition to being near the population center of the United States, Gateway College is located near the population center of the United Pentecostal Church International.
In and around Saint Louis there are many United Pentecostal churches of various sizes. These afford involvement in virtually any type of church situation. Also, World Evangelism Center, the general headquarters of the United Pentecostal Church International, is less than ten minutes from the Gateway College campus. Such a nearness to the center of the international operations of our movement is unique to Gateway College and affords many advantages.
A number of Gateway College students have become involved and are now active in the various programs of the church as a result of this location. The proximity of W.E.C. affords the college with frequest guest lecturers and preachers from the church headquarters.[11]