The new year brings a new beginning for Bethany College, as it announces its re-opening for fall 2017 with a new discipleship program called Thrive. Thrive replaces the college’s previous academic-focused curricula with a new practical approach to biblical learning for post-secondary students.
Since Bethany ceased operations in 2015, volunteers have been working tirelessly to design a fresh new program that can engage youth looking to fill the gap year between high school and starting a career or going on to secular studies.
Based on the feedback gathered through many surveys and forums, the Thrive Discipleship Program emerged to meet the increasing need for balanced Christian learning that uses the hands and heart, just as much as the head.
Students can struggle with their faith in the real world, especially during those first years away from home. Thrive’s staff and “home-church connection” aim to give students the Christian support they need to excel at life’s challenges. Thrive’s purpose isn’t to prepare Christians for formal roles in ministry, but to form whole and holy disciples for a role in the world. Thrive equips students to continue the ministry exemplified by Christ in their future careers, families and communities.
“We want Thrive to form Christian disciples in an environment that is experientially rich and culturally engaged,” says Trevor Rempel, chair of the Bethany board, so “students will leave Thrive being able to process the world around them and be a disciple wherever they go in life.”
As a private educational institution, Bethany doesn’t receive government funding; instead, it relies on donations to keep tuitions manageable for students. To help donations go further for the program, Bethany has transformed into a unique community-shared campus that welcomes businesses and community members to lease office space or rent venues for engagements, in order to aid in covering campus maintenance costs. This community-shared campus creates opportunities for Thrive students to learn new skills for their future careers, find mentors . . . or even be mentors themselves.
Thrive, which is governed by the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith, welcomes students from all Christian denominations. Students live together in community on campus and can fully immerse themselves in biblical topics through the program’s modular design that runs from September to April, or take part in frequent short-term missions trips.
To learn more about Thrive’s programming, or about potential venue rentals or leases, email info@bethany.sk.ca.
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