CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE
The Vision
It is our passionate concern that the church, both as individuals and as the corporate Body of Christ, should be built up in the knowledge and love
of God. Our aim is:
"for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12-13)
Only then shall we, as the people of God in this generation, be able to stand firm in the faith and be equipped to go out in obedience to the Great
Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you." (Mt.28:19-20)
Our vision for the Christian Institute is therefore of an Anglican Seminary where men and women of God are taught and trained, so that they can
take their place in the community and in the church as people dedicated to God, people of absolute integrity and people who are eager and
equipped to serve a lost world in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ who himself came not to be served, but to serve (Mt.20:28). The Christian
Institute is open to all committed Christians, whether they believe that God is calling them to be pastors, teachers, leaders or to fulfill any other
appropriate role. It is emphasised that acceptance into the Christian Institute does not imply acceptance for ordination.
Our concern for ministry and mission means that we must be concerned for the whole family (husband, wife and children): marriage is a
partnership in ministry as well as a partnership in the family. The wife has a most important role in the church and in the community: this is an
opportunity which must be grasped, and a calling which must be fulfilled. Too often, however, we expect the pastor’s wife to teach, preach,
evangelise, lead and even act as nurse, when she has had no opportunity to learn how to do these things. This is a state of affairs which must be
addressed urgently!
Our ultimate vision is therefore that wives - and therefore also children - are resident at the Christian Institute for the full duration of the husband’s
course. As we gradually work towards that goal, by erecting new buildings and planning education for the children as well as for the women, we
are making a beginning by inviting wives to attend for three weeks during each semester. This is proving an exciting and profitable exercise and
we look forward to its further development.
It should be noted that wives are regarded as full members of college: they have a full timetable (some classes being shared with the men), and
are expected to take their part in all college activities. Daily attendance at Chapel (together with the children) is non-negotiable!
The Approach
Because our aim is to serve God, we are committed to standards of excellence. A high academic standard, however, is not of itself sufficient.
The Institute's prime concern is to help students to grow and mature as people of God and as potential leaders of the church and the community.
Therefore:
Prayer and worship are the centre of our life.
It is expected that all students conform to Biblical standards of behaviour and character.
Mission is an integral part of life. It is expected that students involve themselves in mission, evangelism and outreach before, during and after
their course. This includes local mission in the immediate area of the college and of the student’s home, mission in Nigeria and in Africa, and
also mission overseas. Members of college are already actively participating in all these areas.
It should be noted that if a student passes the academic examinations, but has proved deficient in Christian life and witness (for example in
conduct, attitude or irregular attendance at chapel services), such a student will not be regarded as a graduate of the Christian Institute and will
not be awarded the Institute's qualification at the end of the course.
As an Anglican College our teaching is firmly rooted in the Bible and our doctrine is grounded in the Creeds. Our statement of faith may therefore
be found in the Apostles' Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being
with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was
buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the
prophets. We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Location
The Christian Institute moved to the permanent site in May 1999. This is on the edge of Jos in Gwong village: from Unguwan Rukuba take the
road past Legislators' Quarters to Eto Baba.
Facilities
The present main school building was the first structure to be built, and at that time it contained everything necessary for the college, including
both men’s hostel and administration and teaching facilities. The men’s hostel is still there, but it is planned to build a separate new block for the
men and thus free the present rooms for further offices and seminar rooms. Meanwhile, this original building also contains three classrooms,
examination hall, common room, five offices and the computer centre.
The Selcan Miner Library has been transformed by the donation of ten thousand high quality theology books, new shelving, carpet flooring and
new reading desks and chairs. These books, together with the internet facilities now available at the college have put our research and study
facilities on to a new level.
The Chapel of Transfiguration represents the heartbeat of the Christian Institute. During the week services are held three times daily, and on
Sundays there is Bible Study and Morning Service, together with Sunday School for the children. The Chapel is always open and is frequently
used by small groups and individuals.
A group of three small buildings forms the Department of Health and Development Studies, together with the Clinic. The facilities here are as yet
in their infancy, but a Nurse / Manager has now been appointed and it is anticipated that the clinic will quickly develop and become a source of
blessing to the college and to those around us.
Further accommodation is provided in Crowther (for single women), and in Vining buildings. Construction work is still in progress on the two-
storey “New Building” which contains more hostel rooms and also four classrooms. This large block will become the Women’s School and
Married Accommodation. Next to this is Fox Compound which contains accommodation (primarily for staff working with the children) and three
classrooms: this is the centre for the children’s work and the projected Nursery/Primary School
Staff
In addition to the permanent staff, we are grateful to God for the willing services of professors and lecturers from the University of Jos, from
sister denominations and other mission bodies as well as from amongst our Anglican Bishops, clergy and laity. We are privileged to have the
Archbishop of Jos, the Bishops of Pankshin, Bukuru and Langtang, and the Head of Religious Studies Department at Unijos as regular staff.
Our current teaching staff includes two University Professors & a Doctorate holder; over 30 lecturers hold a bachelors degree or H.N.D., and of
these 10 are currently pursuing their doctor’s or master’s degree. Six others hold professional qualifications in nursing and medicine. These
academic qualifications are from Nigeria, America and England. In-service training of staff is a high priority, and staff are encouraged to attend
national or international courses and conferences. We are also delighted to welcome visiting lecturers from other parts of Nigeria and from
England and America.
It is our passionate concern that the church, both as individuals and as the corporate Body of Christ, should be built up in the knowledge and love
of God. Our aim is:
"for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12-13)
Only then shall we, as the people of God in this generation, be able to stand firm in the faith and be equipped to go out in obedience to the Great
Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you." (Mt.28:19-20)
Our vision for the Christian Institute is therefore of an Anglican Seminary where men and women of God are taught and trained, so that they can
take their place in the community and in the church as people dedicated to God, people of absolute integrity and people who are eager and
equipped to serve a lost world in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ who himself came not to be served, but to serve (Mt.20:28). The Christian
Institute is open to all committed Christians, whether they believe that God is calling them to be pastors, teachers, leaders or to fulfill any other
appropriate role. It is emphasised that acceptance into the Christian Institute does not imply acceptance for ordination.
Our concern for ministry and mission means that we must be concerned for the whole family (husband, wife and children): marriage is a
partnership in ministry as well as a partnership in the family. The wife has a most important role in the church and in the community: this is an
opportunity which must be grasped, and a calling which must be fulfilled. Too often, however, we expect the pastor’s wife to teach, preach,
evangelise, lead and even act as nurse, when she has had no opportunity to learn how to do these things. This is a state of affairs which must be
addressed urgently!
Our ultimate vision is therefore that wives - and therefore also children - are resident at the Christian Institute for the full duration of the husband’s
course. As we gradually work towards that goal, by erecting new buildings and planning education for the children as well as for the women, we
are making a beginning by inviting wives to attend for three weeks during each semester. This is proving an exciting and profitable exercise and
we look forward to its further development.
It should be noted that wives are regarded as full members of college: they have a full timetable (some classes being shared with the men), and
are expected to take their part in all college activities. Daily attendance at Chapel (together with the children) is non-negotiable!
The Approach
Because our aim is to serve God, we are committed to standards of excellence. A high academic standard, however, is not of itself sufficient.
The Institute's prime concern is to help students to grow and mature as people of God and as potential leaders of the church and the community.
Therefore:
Prayer and worship are the centre of our life.
It is expected that all students conform to Biblical standards of behaviour and character.
Mission is an integral part of life. It is expected that students involve themselves in mission, evangelism and outreach before, during and after
their course. This includes local mission in the immediate area of the college and of the student’s home, mission in Nigeria and in Africa, and
also mission overseas. Members of college are already actively participating in all these areas.
It should be noted that if a student passes the academic examinations, but has proved deficient in Christian life and witness (for example in
conduct, attitude or irregular attendance at chapel services), such a student will not be regarded as a graduate of the Christian Institute and will
not be awarded the Institute's qualification at the end of the course.
As an Anglican College our teaching is firmly rooted in the Bible and our doctrine is grounded in the Creeds. Our statement of faith may therefore
be found in the Apostles' Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being
with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was
buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the
prophets. We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Location
The Christian Institute moved to the permanent site in May 1999. This is on the edge of Jos in Gwong village: from Unguwan Rukuba take the
road past Legislators' Quarters to Eto Baba.
Facilities
The present main school building was the first structure to be built, and at that time it contained everything necessary for the college, including
both men’s hostel and administration and teaching facilities. The men’s hostel is still there, but it is planned to build a separate new block for the
men and thus free the present rooms for further offices and seminar rooms. Meanwhile, this original building also contains three classrooms,
examination hall, common room, five offices and the computer centre.
The Selcan Miner Library has been transformed by the donation of ten thousand high quality theology books, new shelving, carpet flooring and
new reading desks and chairs. These books, together with the internet facilities now available at the college have put our research and study
facilities on to a new level.
The Chapel of Transfiguration represents the heartbeat of the Christian Institute. During the week services are held three times daily, and on
Sundays there is Bible Study and Morning Service, together with Sunday School for the children. The Chapel is always open and is frequently
used by small groups and individuals.
A group of three small buildings forms the Department of Health and Development Studies, together with the Clinic. The facilities here are as yet
in their infancy, but a Nurse / Manager has now been appointed and it is anticipated that the clinic will quickly develop and become a source of
blessing to the college and to those around us.
Further accommodation is provided in Crowther (for single women), and in Vining buildings. Construction work is still in progress on the two-
storey “New Building” which contains more hostel rooms and also four classrooms. This large block will become the Women’s School and
Married Accommodation. Next to this is Fox Compound which contains accommodation (primarily for staff working with the children) and three
classrooms: this is the centre for the children’s work and the projected Nursery/Primary School
Staff
In addition to the permanent staff, we are grateful to God for the willing services of professors and lecturers from the University of Jos, from
sister denominations and other mission bodies as well as from amongst our Anglican Bishops, clergy and laity. We are privileged to have the
Archbishop of Jos, the Bishops of Pankshin, Bukuru and Langtang, and the Head of Religious Studies Department at Unijos as regular staff.
Our current teaching staff includes two University Professors & a Doctorate holder; over 30 lecturers hold a bachelors degree or H.N.D., and of
these 10 are currently pursuing their doctor’s or master’s degree. Six others hold professional qualifications in nursing and medicine. These
academic qualifications are from Nigeria, America and England. In-service training of staff is a high priority, and staff are encouraged to attend
national or international courses and conferences. We are also delighted to welcome visiting lecturers from other parts of Nigeria and from
England and America.
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS