Carey Theological College is a valued resource of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (formerly the Baptist Union of Western Canada). The influence of the College extends far beyond its denominational home as it prepares persons for the role of professional ministry while also equipping laypersons for effective leadership and service.

The Convention of Baptist Churches of British Columbia created Carey Hall, the organizing body of Carey Theological College and Carey Hall Residence on the campus of the University of British Columbia. By an affiliation agreement in 1975, it is now administered as a ministry of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada. Established by the British Columbia provincial legislature in March of 1959, Carey began operations in the summer of 1960 as a Christian witness and as residence for 42 undergraduate men. This continued until 1975 when the foundation for a graduate program of studies was initiated, leading to the emergence of a Baptist graduate college in June of 1980. While continuing the residence (becoming co-ed in 1985), Carey Hall, through its graduate theological college, offers graduate and continuing education programs of study. As of May 1, 1991, acting with the unanimous approval of the delegates at the Regina Assembly, Carey Hall’s Board of Administration created two separate organizations; namely, Carey Theological College, and Carey Hall Residence. Carey Hall remains the holding company for the college and the residence. In 2006, Carey Hall established the Carey Institute to serve the needs of those who wish to grow in their own theological education or leadership skills through non-traditional means such as workshops, seminars, dialogue, focused skill building, mission experiences, and short media presentations, as well as some more traditional course formats.

EDUCATIONAL DISTINCTIVES

Academic

Established in March, 1959, through An Act to Incorporate Carey Hall by the provincial legislature of British Columbia, Carey Theological College has the right to offer degrees in theology up to and including the doctoral level. Committed to academic excellence for the practice of ministry, Carey Theological College is a vibrant community of Christ-centered learning.

Practical

Carey Theological College is committed to helping educate and train Christian leaders particularly, but not exclusively, for the Canadian context. The college is a professional institution where those with requisite gifts, ability and call are prepared for Christian ministry. A major ministry supervision component is integral to this emphasis. In fact, it is believed that theology, even in its most theoretical form, is essentially practical, since theology and the practice of ministry are inseparably related. The recognition of the vital interdependence between theological/biblical studies and ministry is a special emphasis of the curriculum as it has developed to date at Carey Theological College. At the same time, there are always a number of students in attendance who are preparing to serve as more effective Christians in the community, business, and professional areas to which they believe they have been called.