Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), which is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), will become the global seminary for Trinity Western University (TWU). TEDS, based in Deerfield, Illinois, has been training church leaders for 128 years. For the past four decades, TEDS has been in discussions with TWU about a possible collaboration.
TWU, based in Langley, British Columbia, is Canada’s largest privately funded Christian university. In a statement, TWU said it will “assume ownership of TEDS free of any financial obligations—as a gift to be stewarded for local and global future generations seeking a Christ-centred education with firm evangelical roots.”
The acquisition, which will take place in stages, is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025. “TWU anticipates welcoming seminary students into the new school at the Langley campus beginning in the fall of 2026,” according to the university.
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School & Trinity Western University Partner To Train Ministry Leaders
Carlton Harris, acting president of the EFCA, said:
Generations of biblically grounded pastors, leaders, and missionaries who received training through TEDS have served the EFCA faithfully. For this, I am deeply grateful. TEDS will continue to impact our movement as we, the EFCA, Trinity Western University, and the Evangelical Free Church of Canada, pursue the Great Commission together.
TWU President Todd F. Martin said, “We cherish our longstanding connection with the EFCA, and this addition of TEDS to our university will only deepen that relationship.”
Kevin Kompelien, president of Trinity International University, said, “At this time of both challenges and incredible opportunities in Christian higher education, I believe a school like TEDS will thrive best and accomplish our mission most effectively as part of a larger theologically and missionally aligned evangelical Christian university.”
Ed Stetzer: Partnership Signifies ‘Robust Future in Theological Education’
Ed Stetzer, dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and editor-in-chief of Outreach Magazine said the move represents the “seismic change” occurring in theological education. Shifting modalities and changing practices are disrupting the way church leaders receive training, he noted.
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