Summit Pacific College
| Motto | Since 1941 |
|---|---|
| Type | Private undergraduate seminary, or Bible college, |
| Established | 1941 |
| Location | Clayburn Village of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada., B.C. |
| Affiliations | Association for Biblical Higher Education; Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. |
| Website | http://www.summitpacific.ca |
Summit Pacific College (formerly Western Pentecostal Bible College) is an undergraduate seminary, or Bible college, on a foothill of Sumas Mountain in the Clayburn Village of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. It is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and has a denominational affiliation with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
Programs and Majors
A popular program Summit Pacific College is the one-year Certificate program, OMEGA. The OMEGA program is an overseas missionary program. OMEGA has a strong focus on the Biblical idea of personal discipleship, emphasized by mentoring with professors, academic study and Christian ministry outreach with small group involvement.
Summit Pacific College also offers programs in Biblical Theology, Pastoral Theology, Church Ministries, Intercultural Studies, Music, Youth Leadership, Not for Profit Organizational Leadership, and Counseling Foundations. These programs are either two-year Certificate programs or four-year Degree programs. SPC is accredited by the ABHE and chartered by the government of British Columbia. Additionally, Summit Pacific College is affiliated with Trinity Western University of Langley, British Columbia. Summit Pacific College offers their graduates Certificates, Diplomas and bachelor's degrees. The bachelor's degrees are: Bachelor of Arts (In Religion), Bachelor of Religious Education, and Bachelor of Theology.
Buildings and Structures
L. T. Holdcroft Dormitory
This building is the main dormitory of Summit Pacific College and also holds the campus cafeteria, the offices of the Campus Pastors, and the major board room. It is the second newest building on the campus. Social lounges are located on the residence floors. On the first floor students have access to a games room and a TV room.
V. R. Morrison Apartments
The Vernon R. Morrison apartment building typically holds married students, and also serves as an overflow to the main L. T. Holdcroft dormitory. Morrison apartments have 2 or three bedrooms as well as kitchen, living room and full bathroom.
Hudson Memorial Library
The Hudson Memorial Library has more than 100,000 items, including books, CDs, newspapers, magazines journals, musical scores and DVDs. The library also has an extensive archival collection of items pertaining to the college and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The library's website (www.summitpacific.net) provides access to the Online Public Access Catalogue which can be used to view listings of the library's physical holdings,as well as providing links to a large selection of on-line resources.
Eric A. Hornby Memorial Academic Building
The Academic building holds all of the College's classrooms with the exception of those classrooms belonging to the Music Department (which are in the Chapel building). The main college office is located in the Academic building, along with student and staff mailboxes, and the College bookstore. There are five classrooms on the main floor of the Academic building, as well as three classrooms on the lower level. The commuter students' lounge is also located in the Academic building. Lastly, the offices of the Registrar, Recruitment Counselor, Public Relations Officer, Counseling Program Director, Pastoral Ministries Director, Distance Education Director, OMEGA Program Director, the Dean of Education, the President of the College, the Business Administrator, and the Financial Services Officer are all located in the academic building.
Mary Ellen Anderson Memorial Chapel Building
The Chapel building is a main gathering place for all students. Wednesday nights feature a Celebration Service, attendance at which is mandatory for all full-time students, whether on campus or commuter students. The main Chapel hall is located on the main (upper) floor. On the lower floor, there are various rehearsal rooms, a classroom, and the office of the Music Department Director.
Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Memorial Auditorium and Gymnasium
The main and most frequent use of this building is as a gymnasium, where students of Summit Pacific College often socialize over games of (most frequently) hockey, soccer, and basketball. There are change rooms available, and another prominent feature of the gymnasium is the weight room, which receives frequent usage.
During major social events, the gymnasium is often converted into an auditorium, and is used for graduation reception dinners, Christmas functions, and the like. The building is named after the former British Columbia Minister of Highways, Phil Gaglardi and his wife.
William J. Friesen Fourplex
This fourplex apartment building houses faculty and students alike, where married students with children are usually housed. These families enjoy a very cozy apartment building with two-three bedrooms, a bathroom, a full kitchen, a living area, and an outside deck.
Student life
Campus life is a large part of Summit Pacific College's 'experience' and all students are required to be in dormitories, with some exceptions, notably in the case of off-campus family and married students. Summit Pacific College has three housing facilities; The L.T. Holdcroft building is the largest and newest building, while the Morrison building is an older building, holding married students and overflow students from the L.T. Holdcroft. The third housing building mentioned is the Friesen building, a fourplex for married couples and their families. Both professors and students occupy the Friesen and Morrison buildings.
Leadership
Summit Pacific College employs a Residence Leadership authority structure, where selected students take on the responsibilities of a Resident Supervisor or Resident Assistant. In the authority structure, the Assistants answer to the Supervisor, who is responsible to answer to the Dean of Students. In the 2006/07 school year, there were two Supervisors (one male, one female) and ten Assistants (five female, five male). The L.T. Holdcroft building has six wings, three of which house female students, and three of which house male students. Two Resident Leaders live in each wing and are responsible for encouraging social activities in each wing, often through the use of Wing Events.
In addition to the Residence Leadership, the Student Council is also a working force in student life, and is given a large scope regarding their duties and responsibilities. There is a Student Body President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, in addition to the positions of Social Committee Director, Missions Society Director, Commuter Students Coordinator, Yearbook Editor - these are all positions held by students attending the college.
Meals
There is a cafeteria in the L.T. Holdcroft building, and all on campus students are required to participate in a meal plan through this cafeteria. Each day has set meals and these meals are presented in a buffet style. The cafeteria does cater to special needs such as food allergies, dietary concerns, and the like. The option of eating off-campus also exists, but transportation not provided by the College is required. The bookstore in the Academic building sells some snacks in addition to their normal wares.
Spirituality
Summit Pacific College is a Christian seminary, training pastors, ministers, and other workers for full-time missionary or church vocation. The College is strictly defined as Christian Protestant Evangelical Pentecostal in belief structure and theology. Since the College is Pentecostal, the work of the Holy Spirit is stressed as a personal way in which God works to use and disciple the individual.
Works Cited and Consulted
Specific
General
- HISTORY OF SUMMIT
In the year 1941, when the ministers of British Columbia District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada gathered together for their Conference in Vancouver, they were greatly concerned for the need of young people who were seeking to answer God's call to the Christian ministry. A suitable college for the training of such youth was seen to be an urgent need. Thus, the invitation by the official board of Glad Tidings Tabernacle of Victoria was gladly accepted, and within the facilities of that church, the British Columbia Bible Institute opened its doors in the fall of 1941. The founder and first President was Rev. Ernie W. Robinson.
As the years passed the growing College felt the need for its own campus and residences. Thus, in 1951, it moved to a residential campus in North Vancouver. In 1962 British Columbia Bible Institute was renamed Western Pentecostal Bible College. A program to add buildings and facilities saw a steady upgrading of the original plant. Nevertheless, it came to be realized that future requirements called for more commodious accommodations outside of urban restrictions. As early as 1966 there was a preliminary land purchase, but it was not until 1971 that the present site was acquired.
New Campus construction began in 1973, and the College took occupation in the fall of 1974. The three original buildings were augmented by the Vernon Morrison Residence in 1977, and the P.S. Jones Memorial Auditorium in 1979. The Mary Ellen Anderson Memorial Chapel was built in 1986, and the Lorne Philip Hudson Memorial Library was built in 1988. The L. T. Holdcroft Residence (2001) replaces the original Ernie W. Robinson Dormitory (1974). The Phil and Jenny Gaglardi Memorial Auditorium (2004) replaces the P.S. Jones Memorial Auditorium (1979).
Head administrators who have served the College over the years have included: Ernie W. Robinson, 1941–56; Tom Johnstone, 1956–58; Vernon R. Morrison, 1959–68; L. Thomas Holdcroft, 1968–87; James G. Richards (1987–2006), and the present incumbent, David Demchuk (2006-). The classroom ministry and administrative leadership as Dean and Principal of Rev. W.J. Friesen extended over many years, and he served under three presidents. Rev. and Mrs. A.J. Schindel ministered as classroom instructors and in some administrative capacities over an eighteen-year period from 1944 to 1962. Roger Stronstad, as instructor and Dean of Education, and Laurie Van Kleek, as instructor and Librarian, have to date each served the college for 32 years.
From the early years of the developing College, the British Columbia District Executive of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada was designated as the "Bible School Committee", and it thereby served as the Board of Governors. The District Superintendent was considered Chairman of the Board. In 1955, this arrangement was given formal sanction by approval of the District Conference. Thereafter, the District Executive, when meeting on matters concerning the College, was designated the Board of Governors. A group from within the Board, known as the Administrative Committee, was formed to handle matters involving routine business.
In the District Conference of 1966, full endorsement was given for an expansion of the academic curriculum, and that fall the first stages of the additions were implemented. In March, 1967, the British Columbia Provincial legislature granted the College a charter officially recognizing it as "a Theological College" and conferring upon it "the power to provide instruction and grant degrees in Theology, Religious Education and Sacred Music only."
The college curriculum was developed and refined, and the academic preparation of its faculty systematically upgraded. The library was upgraded and the college board and academic senate were reorganized to conform to American Association of Bible College guidelines. After receiving candidate status (1976) and associate status (1978) Western was awarded full accreditation in 1980. Accreditation was reaffirmed by the American Association of Bible Colleges in 1985, 1990 and 2000. Once Western=s accreditation was in place, the college board petitioned the National Bible College Committee of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada for permission to grant degrees. At the Graduation ceremony in April, 1982, Western awarded bachelor's degrees to qualifying graduates for the first time in its history. On April 30, 1996 the British Columbia and Yukon District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada advanced the quality of ministerial training at Western by approving an affiliation agreement with Trinity Western University (TWU), Langley, B.C. Under the affiliation agreement TWU teaches the general studies courses in SPC's curriculum.
By 2006 a total of 1,750 students have graduated from the College. The majority of these now hold posts of responsibility as ministers, missionaries, church musicians, Christian educators, youth leaders, and similar vocations within the staffs of churches and church related institutions. In a recent census, more than one-half of the pastors of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches in British Columbia were alumni of the College.
In February 2004 Western Pentecostal Bible College was renamed Summit Pacific College by an act of the British Columbia Provincial Legislative Assembly.
The prospects for Summit Pacific College continue to be both encouraging and challenging. Sacrificial efforts by a host of dedicated participants and friends have built a solid foundation. Spiritually, academically, and financially SPC is firmly founded and grounded. The past sixty years have seen progress and achievements that stand as most gratifying. Our seventh decade is giving every promise of even greater advances. Summit Pacific College
External links
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