Ambrose University College, located in Calgary, Alberta, is the official school of the Church of the Nazarene in Canada. Ambrose is the result of an unprecedented educational partnership between the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) in Canada. In 2003, the schools of both denominations formed an educational partnership that resulted in a merger in 2007. The Nazarene school, Canadian Nazarene College, had moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Calgary to seek accreditation with the Alberta government in 1995. Degree granting status was achieved in 1999 and the name was changed to Canadian Nazarene University College. In 2003, the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination moved their school, Canadian Bible College/Canadian Theological Seminary from Regina, Saskatchewan, to Calgary for the same purpose and was granted accreditation in 2004. In 2007 the schools were formally merged and Ambrose University College was founded to serve the educational needs of both denominational groups in Canada. The school is named after Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, who lived in the fourth century. He is best known for leading Augustine to Christ and mentoring him. University College is the Canadian designation for accredited private, undergraduate universities. This educational partnership with a sister denomination has created an exciting future for Nazarene higher education in Canada. Nazarene students now have access to expanding program options in the arts, science, and theology. Accreditation by the province of Alberta means that Ambrose degrees are recognized in Canada and internationally. This fall Ambrose opened the doors of a new 40-acre campus in southwest Calgary. It is anticipated that enrollment will approach 700 students. As the Church of the Nazarene in Canada enters its next century, Ambrose is well equipped to educate and send out generations of Nazarene graduates who will lead the church and shape the world for Christ.

 

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