MISSION STATEMENT

Eston College exists to equip students to know the Scriptures and the power of God to further the Great Commission.

WORD
Presenting to everyone the Word of God in its fullness (Colossians 1:25); growing in our awareness of the will and character of Jesus Christ as made known through the Bible so that we can become more mature—able to discern between right and wrong (Hebrews 5:13-14).

SPIRIT
Providing an environment of spiritual formation that enables growth through insight and understanding that comes by encountering the Spirit of God (Colossians 1:9); being empowered to develop and serve in our spiritual gifts and abilities given by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11).

MISSION
Taking the things we learn from and about God and putting them into practice both individually and in community; exercising godly practices and Christian service in the home, workplace, church and our world (Philippians 4:8-9); resolving to live a life marked by good discipline and stability of faith in Christ (Colossians 3:23).

STATEMENT OF FAITH & HISTORICAL DISTINCTIVES

Eston College is a Christian College that fosters a biblical view of life as understood in the pentecostal and evangelical traditions. Therefore we believe:

1. That the Apostles Creed contains the central tenets of Christian Faith and is the basis for Christian Fellowship.
   
   The Apostles’ Creed

   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
   the Creator of heaven and earth,
   and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
   Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
   born of the Virgin Mary,
   suffered under Pontius Pilate,
   was crucified, died, and was buried.
   He descended into hell*.
   The third day He arose again from the dead.
   He ascended into heaven
   and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
   whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
   I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church,
   the communion of saints,
   the forgiveness of sins,
   the resurrection of the body,
   and life everlasting.
   Amen.

   * Hades – the place of the dead
   ** Universal church

    

2. Eston College recognizes that the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has articulated the tenets of faith that distinguish the evangelical community in Canada. We, therefore, affirm the following statement by EFC:
   
   
   1. The Holy Scriptures, as originally given by God, are divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and constitute the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
   2. There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
   3. Our Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; we affirm his virgin birth, sinless humanity, divine miracles, vicarious and atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, ongoing mediatorial work, and personal return in power and glory.
   4. The salvation of lost and sinful humanity is possible only through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, received by faith apart from works, and is characterized by regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
   5. The Holy Spirit enables believers to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
   6. The Church, the body of Christ, consists of all true believers.
   7. Ultimately God will judge the living and the dead, those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

       

3. As an organization in alignment with the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, we also affirm the following:
   
   
   1. That the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative written Word of God.
   2. In the eternal existence of one true God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
   3. In the Savior of humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God and very man.
   4. In the creation, test and fall of humanity, as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness.
   5. That forgiveness of sin and eternal life is freely offered to all by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Salvation of sinners is by grace through faith alone, in the perfect all sufficient work of Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day for our justification.
   6. In the Lord’s Table as a memorial for believers.
   7. In the eternal life of the believer and the eternal punishment of the unbeliever.
   8. In the Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit is the catalyst for sanctification and seeks to produce His fruit in the believer’s life as their minds are renewed and they are conformed to the image of Christ.
   9. In the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church.
   10. In the sanctity of marriage, as a lifelong exclusive commitment between one man and one woman.
   11. In the Baptism with the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation with the scriptural evidence; namely, speaking in tongues. 
   12. The gifts of the Holy Spirit being exercised and practiced as manifest in the early Church.
   13. The healing of the body by divine power, or divine healing in many as manifested in the early church.

PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

All Students
By the completion of their studies, our students will:

1. Develop a Christian worldview that is founded on Scripture through college-level  education that values cultivating self-agency, public proof of learning, and  experiential teaching. 

2. Grow in the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit by nurturing devotional rhythms within a pentecostal community. 

3. Acquire practical skills for ministry in the home, marketplace, local church, and  mission field. 

4. Gain motivation to reach the least-reached, serve the marginalized, value the  global Church, and care for creation. 

5. Know and experience the daily outworking of salvation by overcoming sin’s entanglements to live a joy-filled, abundant life.

Freshman
By the end of one year at Eston College, every student will:

1. Acquire a foundational knowledge of the Bible and doctrines of the Christian faith.

2. Establish a Christian worldview that is biblical and reasonable.

3. Develop basic skills in communicating the Christian faith.

4. Gain the ability to apply biblical knowledge in further educational or vocational pursuits.

Sophomore
By the end of two years at Eston College, every student will:  

1. Develop attitudes and disciplines that enable spiritual growth and facilitate full participation in a local church.

2. Gain a deeper understanding of the nature of spiritual formation through the story of the church throughout the centuries.

Junior
By the end of three years at Eston College, every student will:  

1. Develop leadership skills through on-campus and off-campus ministry experiences.

2. Acquire a stronger biblical understanding of servant leadership which will enhance the mission of the local church.

3. Learn the elements of being a mentor.

Senior
By the end of four years at Eston College, every student will develop entry-level skills necessary for vocational/professional ministry including:

1. The ability to work well within a leadership team.

2. The necessary communication skills specific to leadership responsibilities.

3. The competence to equip others through formal and informal teaching settings.

4. Develop a basis of biblical and theological understanding and expertise necessary for graduate-level education in biblical, theological, and/or ministry studies.

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS

Finances
The college will demonstrate fiscal by annually meeting the ten standards for financial accountability as subscribers to the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.

Student Relations
The college will handle all its interactions with students in a manner that is welcoming, attentive, fair, and unbiased.

Staff Relations
The college will invest in and care for its staff and volunteers by providing adequate remuneration, reasonable workloads, quality relationships, fair benefit packages, and opportunities for professional development.

Communications
The college will disseminate frequent, clear, and accurate information in matters related to financial development, recruitment, and public relations.

Development
The college will communicate frequent, clear, and accurate information in all matters related to public relations and solicitation of donations.