Student Life and Campus Community

Men and women from more than twenty denominations and two dozen countries, with a variety of ministry goals and undergraduate backgrounds, make up the diverse Seminary student body. Career missionaries in the student body and a Missionary in Residence on the faculty also contribute to the global perspective of the community. Students lead the World Missions Society, which fosters active support of and commitment to the worldwide mission of the church. Students identify and promote strategic financial projects, encourage prayer for missions, and work with the administration to plan and lead Missions Emphasis Week.

The Seminary Student Council provides leadership for a number of activities during the year and works closely with the faculty and the Dean of Student Development and Pastoral Care to provide opportunities for all students to engage in meaningful community events.

Most faculty members have experience in church ministries and many have pursued their advanced studies against the backdrop of that experience, wrestling with the intersection of scholarship and ministerial practice. As a result, faculty members bring to their students a heart for the church and a marked concern for the integration of learning with life and ministry. They care deeply about their disciplines and they keep that passion alive by professional development, research and contact with a worldwide network of their peers.

In addition to formalized programs, the Seminary’s commitment to an integrated model of learning is expressed in a variety of opportunities for personal reflection, spiritual development and close contact with faculty as mentors and fellow believers.

Faculty seek to not only be instructors, but also to be mentors and fellow learners, to make themselves available to give counsel and to pray with students. Some lead small groups that meet for nurture and encouragement.

Significant in the life of the community are times of worship—opportunities to “be still and know that I am God.” At regular chapel services, Days of Prayer, prayer meetings, and Missions Emphasis, the community gathers to listen to God’s Word, to sing, to pray together, and to observe the Lord’s Supper.

An overnight faculty/student retreat takes place in the winter semester as an opportunity to share and grow together as a community in a relaxed setting.

Each year, the Seminary offers the Murray W. Downey Lectureship at which an outstanding Christian scholar brings a lecture series in an area such as church history, Biblical studies, counselling or Christian education. Ambrose Seminary provides arenas where the issues of academics, spirituality, personal development, vocation, and ministerial practice are brought together.

Ministry with the Christian and Missionary Alliance

Students who desire to minister with The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) must complete the accreditation process, which is facilitated by the Director of Field Education during the final year of study of a degree program. Once the application for accreditation is completed, a personal interview with an accreditation committee is arranged. During this interview, a candidate is examined for biblical knowledge, doctrinal stance, personal lifestyle, philosophy of ministry, etc. The candidate is notified of the result of the accreditation process shortly after the interview. Whether becoming accredited to minister in North America or internationally, accreditation candidates are expected to be or become members of a C&MA church.