Evangelical Anabaptist Seminary Program (EASP), a Seminary-level education program in Winnipeg, Manitoba has changed its name to Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies (WCMS) effective February 1, 2006. In celebration of this change a luncheon will be held in Founders Hall on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University, March 23 from 12:00-1:30pm.
Pierre Gilbert, Program Coordinator for the Centre, is excited about the possibilities this change brings. "The name change indicates an emphasis not only on delivery of seminary courses, but a whole range of professional formation, including workshops, seminars and pastoral ministry roundtables," he says.
The new name also provides a clearer picture of the Centre's focus on professional training in the Winnipeg area, and of its openness to serve the broader Christian community. However, Gilbert is quick to point out that an evangelical/Anabaptist theology will still remain the Centre's theological core.
The Centre came about through the initiative of MB Biblical Seminary, as a way to offer Anabaptist theological education in mid-Western Canada. Today it has become an inter-Mennonite effort supported by five conferences and three other schools including the Mennonite Church of Manitoba, Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren, Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference, Chortitzer Mennonite Conference, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Canadian Mennonite University and Steinbach Bible College.
WCMS started providing courses on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University in the fall of 2002. In the past three years the number of courses offered has jumped from 5, to 10 per year, with the opportunity for pastors and lay people to receive a Certificate in Christian Ministry. It is the hope and vision of the Centre to offer a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry in the next 2-3 years. Currently the 30 unit Certificate can be transferred into a degree program at any Associated Theological School including MB Biblical Seminary's Fresno or Langley campuses or AMBS.
If you would like to attend the celebratory luncheon on March 23 please RSVP to Anne Friesen at 204-885-2565 ext.366. Current students, alumni, faculty members, media and conference and institutional representatives are especially welcome.
The mission of MB Biblical Seminary at all three of its campuses is to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and the world.